The refs have been named for the tournament in Georgia. No NZ refs are included, and there a few who feature in the sevens series.
The selected referees are:
Christopher Allison (South Africa)
Kevin Bralley (France)
Ruairidh Campbell (Scotland)
Ben Connor (Wales)
Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina)
Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
Reuben Keane (Australia)
Saba Makharadze (Georgia)
Luke Rogan (USA)
George Selwood (England)
David Vosalevu (Fiji)
Morgan White (Hong Kong China)
7 days later
New Zealand U20s 2026 Junior World Championships squad announced
All Blacks Sevens players Kele Lasaqa and Bradley Tocker have bolstered the New Zealand U20s squad named for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championships (JWC) in Georgia.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) National Pathways Head Coach Kane Jury and his coaching team have named 30 players with a total of eight changes to the squad that played at the Under 20 Rugby Championship in South Africa in April-May.
Bay of Plenty wing Lasaqa and Taranaki loose forward Tocker come into the squad after spending the year with the All Blacks Sevens. Lasaqa’s selection comes a day after being named 2026 World Sevens Rookie of the Year.
Other players to come into the squad include Manawatū hooker Alani Fakava, and Blues wider training group members, hooker Xavier Leota and loose forward Jake Hutchings.
Junior Crusaders prop James Moore, Hawke’s Bay midfielder Triumph Voice and former St Thomas of Canterbury College fullback Lautasi Etuale come into the squad after being injured earlier in the year.
Jury said it had been a difficult squad to select due to how many players had impressed the coaches since a wider group was identified in November last year.
“That’s a real testament to the focus the players have had with their development plans and the work they’ve done on and off the field. There has been genuine competition for places and a number of players have forced their way into the squad through club rugby.”
The way the players had turned up physically and mentally was a reflection of NZR’s player pathway working together, he said.
“Kele and Bradley coming through the sevens programme is an example of the dual development pathway available to our emerging players. A big part of how players have presented themselves and the competition for places can be attributed to the guidance and support from their Provincial Union programmes.”
Jury also noted the impact of a recent tight five camp facilitated by All Blacks Assistant Coach Jason Ryan and involving 20 young forwards.
“That was a world class experience for these players and gave them taste of what’s expected of a player aspiring to play at the All Blacks level.”
The squad will assemble for the JWC in Auckland on Sunday 14 June ahead before flying out to Georgia where their pool matches will be against Japan, Scotland and Italy.
An additional 15 players have been named as non-travelling reserves.
The Under 20 JWC 2026 pool match schedule is:
• Saturday, 27 June: New Zealand v Japan, AIA Arena Kutaisi, kick-off, 11.30pm NZT
• Friday 3 July: New Zealand v Scotland, AIA Arena Kutaisi, kick-off, 2.00am NZT
• Tuesday 7 July: New Zealand v Italy, AIA Arena Kutaisi, kick-off, 9.00pm NZT
*All matches will be live and exclusive on Sky Sport.
The 2026 New Zealand U20 squad for the World Rugby Junior World Championship is:
Hookers
Alani Fakava, Hurricanes/Manawatū
Josh Findlay, Crusaders/Canterbury
Xavier Leota, Blues/Auckland
Props
Alexander Hewitt, Hurricanes/Wellington
Dane Johnston, Chiefs/Taranaki
James Moore, Crusaders/Canterbury
Henry Stuart, Highlanders/Otago
Ethan Webber, Highlanders/Otago
Locks
Max Fale, Crusaders/Canterbury
Johnny Falloon Hurricanes/Wellington
Jake Frost, Crusaders/Canterbury
Loose Forwards
Kobe Brownlee, Crusaders/ Ta$man
Micah Fale, Chiefs/Waikato
Jake Hutchings, Blues/Auckland
Patrick Mauga, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay
Bradley Tocker, Chiefs/Taranaki
Caleb Woodley, Blues/Auckland
Halfbacks
Jackson Hughan, Highlanders/Southland
Boston Krone, Blues/Auckland
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
First five-eighth
Cohen Norrie, Blues/Auckland
Mika Muliaina, Highlanders/Southland
Midfielders
David Lewai, Chiefs/Waikato
Siale Pahulu, Blues/Auckland
Triumph Voice, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay
Haki Wiseman, Chiefs/Taranaki
Outside backs
Lautasi Etuale, Crusaders/Canterbury
Oliver Guerin, Chiefs/Waikato
Kele Lasaqa, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Logan Williams, Crusaders/Canterbury
Unavailable due to injury: Finn McLeod, Crusaders/Canterbury
Non-travelling reserves:
Charlie Wallis (Blues/Auckland); Emori Balenaisa (Chiefs/Taranaki); Luka Makata (Blues/Auckland); Jericho Wharehinga (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay); Nate Bodle, (Crusaders/Canterbury); Zac Taulapapa (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay); Alex Arnold, (Highlanders, Otago); Logan Platt (Blues, Auckland); Drew Berg-McLean (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay); Charlie Sullivan (Crusaders/Canterbury); Jimmy Taylor (Highlanders/Southland); Angus Revell (Blues/Auckland); JD Van der Westhuizen (Blues/North Harbour); Jay Reihana (Highlanders/Southland); Noah Rogers (Chiefs/Taranaki).
Quite a few changes then, particularly at hooker and on the wing. I had expected Tocker to be included. McLeod will be a big loss as he was a guaranteed starter. I'd like to know what the situation with Ra Palmer is.
The changes from the RC squad are:
Hookers
Out: Luka Makata, Jericho Wharehinga
In: Alani Fakava, Xavier Leota
Props
Out: Charlie Wallis
In: James Moore
Loose Forwards
Out: Alex Arnold, Logan Platt, Finn McLeod (injured)
In: Jake Hutchings, Bradley Tocker
One less loose forward
Midfielders
Out: Angus Revell
In: Triumph Voice
Outside backs
Out: Jay Reihana, JD Van Der Westhuizen
In: Lautasi Etuale, Kele Lasaqa
@Bovidae McLeod is a considerable loss, though. I'd like them to bring Fale into the starting team at No. 8: his fitness seems much better this year and he still brings plenty of impact into the carry. I think a Mauga/Woodley/Fale-trio would work quite well, although the lineout would depend on Mauga's ability in the set piece.
Lasaqa is quality so you'd think he'll take the 14 spot. Etuale has got good pace and great feet but he'll need to improve his defence. Against Australia U18 in 2025, he didn't seem too interested in tackling.
Triumph Voice is an interesting inclusion. I wasn't expecting him to be included for NZ Schools last year and now he's in the U20s. Someone in NZ Rugby clearly rates him.
@Mauss said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Bovidae McLeod is a considerable loss, though. I'd like them to bring Fale into the starting team at No. 8: his fitness seems much better this year and he still brings plenty of impact into the carry. I think a Mauga/Woodley/Fale-trio would work quite well, although the lineout would depend on Mauga's ability in the set piece.
I think Tocker will take McLeod's place at 6. He is a very good lineout option.
Triumph Voice is an interesting inclusion. I wasn't expecting him to be included for NZ Schools last year and now he's in the U20s. Someone in NZ Rugby clearly rates him.
And IIRC didn't play because of injury.
@Bovidae said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
I think Tocker will take McLeod's place at 6. He is a very good lineout option.
I think that is the most likely option, yeah. But I'd worry about defensive cohesion. Tocker and Woodley don't strike me as a natural flanker combination. Mauga is, in my view, a more obvious foil to Woodley, the former heavily emphasizing the breakdown. Then again, it's been a while since I've seen Tocker play 15s, so maybe the sevens experience has made him more complete in that area.
And IIRC didn't play because of injury.
No, he didn't. I saw footage of him playing for Hastings Boys' a few times. Tall, athletic player with decent pace, not too dissimilar to someone like Tamati Tua I'd say. Should be interesting to see whether he's immediately parachuted into the 13-jersey, although I expect Pahulu to get first crack.
@Mauss said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Bovidae McLeod is a considerable loss, though. I'd like them to bring Fale into the starting team at No. 8: his fitness seems much better this year and he still brings plenty of impact into the carry. I think a Mauga/Woodley/Fale-trio would work quite well, although the lineout would depend on Mauga's ability in the set piece.
Lasaqa is quality so you'd think he'll take the 14 spot. Etuale has got good pace and great feet but he'll need to improve his defence. Against Australia U18 in 2025, he didn't seem too interested in tackling.
Triumph Voice is an interesting inclusion. I wasn't expecting him to be included for NZ Schools last year and now he's in the U20s. Someone in NZ Rugby clearly rates him.
Finn McLeod is a big loss. He was great with the hard carries and lineout against the Bok U20 team.
I wasn't overly impressed with Mauga TBH. I take it he's there as the power loose forward/ball carrier but seemed a bit "light" in the contact area. Micah Fale impressed when he came on but he's probably better suited to the impact role.
Aussies selecting players out of the French system now.
@mohikamo said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Aussies selecting players out of the French system now.
They are big units too.
@TheMojoman said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
I wasn't overly impressed with Mauga TBH. I take it he's there as the power loose forward/ball carrier but seemed a bit "light" in the contact area. Micah Fale impressed when he came on but he's probably better suited to the impact role.
Yeah, I'm not sure Mauga is really suited to that primary carrying role, he seemed a little loose with some of those carries during the U20 TRC. I think he might be more suited to 6: decent defender, good at the breakdown, solid work rate. Could be a good glue guy in a loose forward trio.
My guess is Fale ended up on the bench last year because his fitness wasn't up to scratch. It was pretty noticeable playing for the NZ U20s in 2025 (and in '24 as well, playing for the NZ U18 Baabaas), he would get gassed pretty quickly. To me, his fitness looks a lot better this year, so I'd be intrigued to see how long he can last out there as a starter.
His defensive work rate can still be a bit iffy but I think, with McLeod being out, the team needs a dominant ball carrier in the pack. Having Leota helps but you'd think Findlay will still start after putting in solid performances in South Africa.
@hurrdurrr said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Are there any u20 kiwis overseas of note?
Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia went to Bayonne. He might still have been eligible this year. I'm not sure when he turned 20.
They have added other ball-carriers to the squad in Tocker and Hutchings. My concern is that there isn't really another specialist 7 if Woodley got injured.
The Junior Springboks squad to represent South Africa at the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia was announced by SA U20 head coach Kevin Foote on Friday, with seven players from last year’s successful campaign in Italy included in the group.
South Africa will defend their title at the global showpiece, which takes place in Georgia from 27 June to 18 July.
Captain Riley Norton (lock), Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka (props), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Cheswill Jooste (wing), and Alzeadon Felix (fullback) were all part of the SA U20 side that won last year’s world championship in Italy.
Ten members of the JWC squad were included in the wider Springbok group for the Barbarians fixture and the SA ‘A’ match against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on 20 June, while Cheswill Jooste remains with the Vodacom Bulls, who have qualified for the next Friday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final.
The Junior Bok squad consists entirely of players who have attended previous training camps in Stellenbosch, as well as the recent U20 International Series and the SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship, both of which were won by South Africa.
Norton is one of the players included in the wider Springbok group, along with Reid and Danie Kruger (props); Mnebelele and Liam van Wyk (hookers); Moyo (flyhalf); Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf/centre); Luan Giliomee (utility back); Markus Muller (centre); and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback). They will join the Junior Bok squad as soon as they are released from senior national duty.
Muller and Siyaya are joined by seven other players in the squad who are still U19 and eligible to play in next year’s JWC as well. They are Jordan Jooste and Luan van der Berg (props), Jaythen Orange (lock), Gert Kemp and Wasi Vyambwera (loose forwards), Ethan Adams (centre), and Jordan Steenkamp (wing).
Junior Boks’ 2026 World Junior Championship squad:
Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Stormers), JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers), Thomas Beling (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)*.
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Centres: Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers).
Outside and utility backs: Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Jack Benade (DHL Stormers), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers)*, Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).
** Final inclusion pending the availability of players currently on senior duty.*
7 days later
Mnebelele replaces Norton as Junior Bok captain to Georgia | SA Rugby https://share.google/6rD9xnjmB4qgT9xv2
@Steven-Harris said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Is this a warm up,game ?
Yes. The tournament starts on Sat. NZ play Japan at 11:30 pm NZT.
@Crazy-Horse Yep. Looks like they were playing footy too.
This is a shame for NZ rugby. I couldn't believe what I was watching. NZ can't seem to produce quality players anymore. Something fundamentally must be changed, and I don't see anyone in NZ media talking openly about that. The last time NZ won the Junior Rugby World Cup was in 2017—what happened after that? Does anyone even ask this question?
@Crazy-Horse even for a warmup game that's appalling. Our scrum got demolished too.
@antipodean said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Our scrum got demolished too.
Nothing changes here. The scrum and defending the maul. Tocker showed his speed for his try. Lasaqa with a shocking fumble with the tryline in sight.
@zedsdeadbaby said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
It’s been talked about a lot in media.
The NRL is having rugby’s pathways for breakfast and the bigger frames are also gravitating towards basketball plus other sports.
I've heard a couple players in the current squad have NRL offers tabled to them. So potentially more to leave.
NRL sides have always nabbed kids from 1st 15s but I think they are getting some of the higher profile ones more often than they used to, the money on offer, the recentish rise of the warriors and the mixed bag for the ABs all being factors
@taniwharugby sounds like some of the U21 kids like Harry Inch are getting contracts paying similar to what fulltime Super squadies are getting.
The average NRL salary is about 400k. You'd need to be an AB to clear that much.
@zedsdeadbaby said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Big time - and go through the 1st XVs around the country, heaps are signed to NRL (including from what I am hearing heaps in Christchurch)
You got a list of these players? There was that list of Warriors Jersey Flegg or Harold Mathews players going around last year and the "media" were making out it was rugby players going to league, yet a little bit of research showed the majority were league players anyway but by the nature of NZ they were at rugby schools.
Like @taniwharugby says the NRL has always nabbed young players, it was especially apparent during the paid U20s heyday (I did research for TPK on it) and there was likely more going across then than now.
@SouthernMann said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
sounds like some of the U21 kids like Harry Inch are getting contracts paying similar to what fulltime Super squadies are getting.
Inch would have to be on a contract other than a Jersey Flegg one to be getting that kind of money. Surely the Warriors wouldn't be able to carry U21 players on that sort of money and not have salary cap issues?
@Nepia said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@zedsdeadbaby said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Big time - and go through the 1st XVs around the country, heaps are signed to NRL (including from what I am hearing heaps in Christchurch)
You got a list of these players? There was that list of Warriors Jersey Flegg or Harold Mathews players going around last year and the "media" were making out it was rugby players going to league, yet a little bit of research showed the majority were league players anyway but by the nature of NZ they were at rugby schools.
Like @taniwharugby says the NRL has always nabbed young players, it was especially apparent during the paid U20s heyday (I did research for TPK on it) and there was likely more going across then than now.
Only whispers and things - and you may be right that they are leaguies playing Union because it’s there.
