Six returnees in New Zealand U20 squad to return to South Africa

All Blacks Sevens rep Bradley Tocker has been named as a non-playing reserve who will attend the camp in Wellington, with one further name to be added to the group ahead of departure to South Africa.

Chiefs and Bay of Plenty halfback Charlie Sinton returns after injury cut short his U20 World Championship campaign last year in Georgia.

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The nephew of All Black great Mils Muliana, first five Mika Muliana, brings NPC experience along with Auckland fullback Cohen Norrie. The pair have been named as the only 10s in the squad.

Head coach Kane Jury said the selected players had earned their places through their efforts during the recent Under 20 Development Programme in Taup?.

“The week was a standout success, both on and off the field. One hundred of our most promising players arrived eager to learn, compete, and showcase their talent – and they delivered in spades,” head coach Jury.

“As we head into The Rugby Championship, there’s genuine excitement about this group around who they are, who they can become, and how we can contribute to the legacy of this team.”

The squad was selected by Jury and his Assistant Coaches Brock James, James Lentjes, and Will Henry with NZR High Performance Talent Identification Manager PJ Williams.

One additional player will be added to the squad before they fly out to South Africa on 20 April, while nine non-traveling reserves will attend a pre departure camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation & Sport in Wellington.

Under 20 TRC 2026 match schedule:

·    Tuesday 28 April: New Zealand v Australia, kick-off, 12.00am NZT

·    Monday 4 May: New Zealand v Argentina, kick-off, 12.00am NZT

·    Sunday 10 May: New Zealand v South Africa, kick-off, 2.10am NZT

The 2026 New Zealand U20 squad for The Rugby Championship Under 20 tournament is:

Hookers
Josh Findlay, Crusaders, Canterbury
Luka Patumaka Makata, Blues, Auckland
Jericho Wharehinga, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay

Props
Alexander Hewitt, Hurricanes, Wellington
Dane Johnston, Chiefs, Taranaki
Henry Stuart, Highlanders , Otago
Ethan Webber, Highlanders , Otago

Locks
Jake Frost, Crusaders, Canterbury
John Falloon, Hurricanes , Wellington
Max Fale, Crusaders, Canterbury

Loose Forwards
Alex Arnold, Highlanders, Otago
Kobe Brownlee, Crusaders, Tasman
Micah Fale, Chiefs, Waikato
Patrick Mauga, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay
Finn McLeod, Crusaders, Canterbury
Logan Platt, Blues, Auckland
Caleb Woodley, Blues, Auckland

Halfbacks
Jackson Hughan, Highlanders , Southland
Boston Krone, Blues, Auckland
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty

First five-eighth’s
Cohen Norrie, Blues, Auckland
Mika Muliaina, Highlanders, Southland

Midfielders
David Lewai, Chiefs, Waikato
Siale Pahulu, Blues, Auckland
Angus Revell, Blues, Auckland
Haki Wiseman, Chiefs, Taranaki

Outside backs
Oliver Guerin, Chiefs, Waikato
Jay Reihana, Highlanders , Southland
JD Van Der Westhuizen, Blues, North Harbour
Logan Williams, Crusaders, Canterbury

The following players have been named as non-traveling reserves and will attend the pre-departure camp at the NZCIS in Wellington 12-19 April:

Hooker
Xavier Leota, Blues, Auckland

Props
Corban King, Hurricanes , Wellington
Charlie Wallis, Blues, Auckland

Lock
Zacherye Taulapapa, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay

Loose Forwards
Drew Berg-McLean, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay
Bradley Tocker, Chiefs, Taranaki

Halfback
Charlie Sullivan, Crusaders, Canterbury

First five-eighth
Jimmy Taylor, Highlanders , Southland

Outside back
Dallas Rata-Makene, Chiefs, Waikato

The following seven players are on standby for the wider group:
Nate, Bodle, Crusaders, Canterbury (Prop); Jake Hutchings, Blues, Auckland (Loose Forward); Suli, Pahulu, Chiefs, Taranaki (Loose Forward); Luke, Atikinson, Crusaders, Canterbury (Midfield); Jacob, McKinnon, Blues, Auckland (Outside Back); Leo, Marfell, Crusaders, Tasman (Outside Back); Noah, Rogers, Chiefs, Taranaki (Outside Back).