The U20 halfback who smashed the Chiefs' pre-season Bronco

When Otago hosts Bay of Plenty in an NPC semi-final in Dunedin on Friday night, the halfback duel will likely feature a showdown between the two current New Zealand Under 20 halfbacks: Charlie Sinton from Bay of Plenty and Dylan Pledger from Otago.

Pledger’s form has been so eyecatching that some critics have suggested the 20-year-old should be fast-tracked to the All Blacks. While Sinton hasn’t quite captured the same level of attention, the 18-year-old has played all 11 matches for the Steamers this season, starting the last four, all of which were victories.

Sinton didn’t get the chance to showcase his skills at the World Rugby Junior Championships in Italy due to a patellar subluxation he suffered during a training camp in Venice before the tournament. Now, Sinton is determined to prove that he’s also a rookie sensation in his own right.

“Dylan is having an unreal season. It’s great competition going up against him, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Sinton told RugbyPass.

“Winning the Under 20s Rugby Championship was an awesome experience, but the World Cup was heartbreaking.

“During a 15-on-15 training session, I went down during a tackle. It was uncertain whether I would stay or go home for rehab. In the end, it was decided that I should go home and try to recover for the NPC. In hindsight, that was the best decision.”

Sinton made his debut for Bay of Plenty on August 3, coming off the bench for nine minutes in a first-round match where the Steamers thrashed Tasman 37-7 at Tauranga Domain.

Last weekend, he started against the same opponent at the same venue and contributed significantly to a 27-7 victory, playing a solid 46 minutes.

“Tasman was a cracking game with a lot of back and forth. We struggled to find our rhythm early on, and the collision area was really intense. Our bench did an outstanding job, making a huge impact and getting the job done,” Sinton said.

“Playing Otago under the roof in Dunedin is going to be special. They’re having a strong season and have threats across the park. We’re trying to stay focused on ourselves and keep it simple.”

Fitness is a simple reason why Sinton has cracked professional rugby.

During pre-season training with the Chiefs for Super Rugby Pacific, he recorded their best Bronco Test score of 4 minutes and 20 seconds. The Bronco Test is a demanding aerobic running assessment in which participants must complete a sequence of shuttle runs over 60 meters, 40 meters, and 20 meters, totalling five sets. Sinton’s time is on par with the best performances of All Blacks, including Beauden Barrett (4:12 in 2020), Cam Roigard (4:12 in 2024), Damian McKenzie (4:15 in 2024), and Cortez Ratima (4:20 in 2024).

In addition to his fitness, Sinton brings a mature and meticulous approach to his preparation and performance on the field.

“I’m quite a detailed player. I take pride in my game awareness and in identifying small things that can impact the game – extra efforts that others may overlook or opportunities that others don’t see,” he said. “I’m learning a lot from Richard Judd and the more experienced players in the team. I want to own the role of a nine and contribute my own touch too.”

Sinton scored his first try for Bay of Plenty in a 39-22 victory against Counties Manukau on August 10. He made his first start and played the full 80 minutes in a 55-19 win against Manawatu in Palmerston North on September 21. Two weeks later, he scored two tries in a 33-26 triumph against defending champions Wellington. The Steamers rallied from a 21-0 deficit to avenge their extra-time final defeat from 2024.

Bay of Plenty hasn’t faced Otago in 2025, but neither team has a flash playoff record. Since the introduction of the finals format in 1992, Otago has lost nine of 10 championship or premiership grand finals and has been defeated in an additional 10 semi-finals. Bay of Plenty won the first Division 1 NPC championship in 1976 and has not won similar silverware since.

While at Tauranga Boys’ College, Sinton captained the First XV, which won the Super 8 title for the first time in 25 years in 2024. In the final, Tauranga whitewashed Hamilton Boys’ High School with a record score of 37-0.

Sinton represented the New Zealand Secondary Schools and also played a key role in helping Tauranga win the Condor Sevens for the first time.

Sinton is originally from Tairua, a coastal town with a population of just over 3,000, located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The local rugby club was founded in 1888 and plays at Cory Park Domain. They wear blue and white hoops, a tradition that began when players travelling from Auckland brought borrowed Auckland rugby jerseys with them.

Currently, Sinton is studying for a Bachelor of Business at Waikato University and enjoys playing golf and spending time at the beach.