New Zealand U20 player ratings vs Japan | World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026

New Zealand U20 player ratings: The Baby Blacks bagged a 17-point win after their side landed a 38-21 victory, with Mika Muliaina, Bradley Tocker and Jake Frost performing at a high level.

Despite taking an early lead, New Zealand struggled to put down a relentless Japan side, which levelled the score before the break.

However, after Mika Muliaina served ten minutes in the sin-bin, the men in black managed to overcome Japan, adding three more tries before the game was called off in the 68th minute due to a thunderstorm.

1. Henry Stuart – 5
A very weird day for both Henry Stuart and Dane Johnston, as both had a tough time stopping their direct opposition but had good showings in the counter-maul and defence from close range. However, Stuart had the quieter game of the two, failing to make good ground with ball in hand or leave a strong impression as a dominant tackler.

2. Josh Findlay – 6
Although Josh Findlay was pitch-perfect in his lineout duties, the 19-year-old hooker’s tackling execution was far from positive, missing the target three times, which led to two Japanese breaks.

Fixture

World Rugby U20 Championship

New Zealand U20

38 - 21

Full-time

Japan U20

All Stats and Data

3. Dane Johnston – 5.5
Strong tackling game and good work around the breakdown, but a lacklustre scrummaging performance that helped roll out the comeback carpet for Japan in the opening half. Although he scored his side’s first try, he ended up being subbed off at the break.

4. Max Fale – 7
The enormous Max Fale brought his A-game to Kutaisi’s AIA Arena, energising the Baby Blacks pack when Japan were close to getting the lead. Superb in the lineout contest, forcing Japan to second-guess their calls, while putting in some of the game’s best tackles.

5. Jake Frost – 7.5
Utterly relentless as a ball carrier, Jake Frost carved a path of destruction, bulldozing through would-be tacklers with every one of his ten carries. The lock played an important role in defusing some of Japan’s most threatening maul drives.

6. Bradley Tocker – 7.5
The next big thing for New Zealand rugby? Tocker made an instant impact, stealing two Japanese lineouts, winning the gainline every time and clinching a try on debut for the Baby Blacks.

7. Caleb Woodley – 7.5
By far the quietest member of the pack, Woodley handled plenty of the unseen graft. Countered well at rucks and halted two dangerous Japanese breaks, with his efforts rewarded by a deserved try in the 61st minute.

8. Michael Fale – 7
Made the initial break that led to his side’s first try, collecting a loose Japanese lineout before running 40 metres. Added one jackal, eight tackles and a line break.

9. Charlie Sinton – 7
Started well with crisp distribution that opened Japan up early, but drifted when New Zealand were under set-piece pressure. Regained control during the sin-bin period, marshalling things smartly and playing a key role in the bonus-point win.

10. Mika Muliaina – 8
A game of three halves. Excellent early with his kicking and passing game, but also guilty of lapses that led to his sin-bin. Responded superbly, creating key moments and landing four from seven off the tee.

11. David Lewai – 7
Conditions limited his usual spark, but he still made 32 running metres, beat four defenders and contributed to a try.

12. Haki Wiseman – 7.5
A composed and physical presence in midfield, defending well under pressure and hitting good lines. One of the few who maintained focus throughout.

13. Siale Pahulu – 6.5
Peripheral for long spells as New Zealand struggled for fluency, but linked well with Wiseman in defence when required.

14. Ollie Guerin – 6
Late call-up who did take his try, but it was a mixed afternoon with two handling errors and a couple of penalties conceded.

15. Logan Williams – 7
Composed under the high ball and physical in the air. Took his try well and linked effectively with Muliaina to unlock Japan’s defence.

Replacements – N/A
With the game ending early due to a thunderstorm, it would be unfair to rate the replacements, most of whom played fewer than 10 minutes, with hooker Ethan Webber the only exception.