Super Rugby Under 20 Tournament kicks off this Friday in Taup?

Now in its fifth year, the annual Super Rugby Under 20 tournament gets underway this weekend on Saturday 15 March, at the iconic Owen Delany Park, Taupō. 

Super Rugby Under 20s sees the best young male players in New Zealand, alongside a Fiji and Moana Pasifika team, compete against each other, providing a great development experience for players, teams, management, and referees. 

The Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders, Fiji, and Moana Pasifika Under 20 sides take part alongside the New Zealand Barbarians Under 21 team, with over 200 players in Taupō for a week for the tournament.

All matches will be live on Sky Sport - Day 1 on Sky Sport 5, Day 2 on Sky Sport 1 and Day 3 on Sky Sport Select.

Super Rugby Under 20 Squads:

Blues: Sika Pole, Richard Faleono, Riley Tofilau, Robson Faleafa, Charlie Wallis, Lotu Finau, Xavier Leota, Tevita Tatafu, Junior Ahokovi, Darcy Holwell, Sam Tuitupou, Liam Sturm, Jarell Luafalealo, Caleb Woodley, Randall Baker, Aio Keith, Joel Russell, Luke Aiken, Blake Lidgard, Rico Simpson, Cohen Norrie, Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega, Reimana Rurawhe-Saunderson, Harlyn Saunoa, JD Van der Westhuizen, Jayden Griffen-Salt, Nathan Salmon.

Chiefs: Konelio Burgess, Aidan Spratley, Harold Rounds, Faauma Kupita, Emori Balenaisa, Dane Johnston, Raharuhi Palmer, Tyi Sinkinson, Tom McCarthy, Bradley Tocker, Apenisa Naevo, Dylan Eti, Brooke Mitchell, Jack Gallon, Liam Anderson, Micah Fale, Charlie Sinton, Halen King, Daniel Tickelpenny, Dallas Rata-Makene, Wesley Curulala, Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia, Jack Wiseman, David Lewai, Taniela Maisiri, Brayden Neilson, Rangiwai Lunjevich. 

Crusaders: Tonga Helu, Sione Mafi, Jake Frost, Xavier Treacy, Radford Powell, Christian Ioane, Ollie Burra, Harrison    Inch, Maretino Kaloudau, James Cameron, Cooper Roberts, Landen Monks, Maloni Kunawave, Samiuela Moimoi, Eli Oudenryn, James Hardy, Max Fale, Finn McLeod, Cylas Tauti, Luke Atkinson, Fanua Fa'avae, Isaac Murray-MacGregor, Samuela Takapu, Angus Prouting, Max Hore, Kobe Brownlee, Blake Craddock.

Highlanders: Wiremu Brailey, Tom Devery, Riley Lucas, Christian MacEwan, Wyndham Patuawa, Dylan Pledger, Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Tengblad, Oliver Thode, Liam Barron, Matt Brock, Couper Killick, Tom Martin, Sam Mustchin, Zac Nichol, Ethan Webber, Tasman Soani-Oeti, Josh Augustine, JJ Fisher, Tayne Harvey, Thomas Jennings, Shaun Kempton, Mika Muliaina, Gregor Rutledge, Justin Shaw, Louis Lepionka, Lachlan Stevens.

Hurricanes: Alex Hewitt, Conley Alexander, Johnny Falloon, Zach Taulapapa, Harry Irving, Mosese Bason, Jai Tamati, Will Cole, CJ Mienie, Liam O'Connor, Pita Manamanaivalu, Stanley Solomon, Finn O'Sullivan, Drew Berg-McLean, Le'Sharn Reiri-Paku, Thompson Tukapua, Bogi Kikau, Jericho Wharehinga, Leti Campbell, Jacob Kennedy, Jacob Denyer, Mako Blackman, Isreal Time, Nico Metuariki, Henele Oliveti, Taufaeteau Kaufonogo, Braith Ingram.

Fiji: Jone Toe, Marika Koroi, Anare Caginavanua, Eroni Sarasau, Neville Amputch, Vaimoe Koroi, Joshua Uluibau, Iliesa Erenavula, Savenaca Driu, Sosiceni Waqa, Savenaca Qabale, Saimone Vaisova, Isoa Koroinawai, Noa Rauluni, Sam Chapman, Adam Khan, Meli Waqairadovu, Isikeli Ratu, Asi-Tui’lagi Fuli, Anare Tabakaucor, Iliesa Baravilala, Asaeli Gade, Sakiusa Matalulu, Sivaniolo Lumelume, Mesake Nalase, Duacake Vulainabuwaha, Emosi Nuku.

Moana Pasifika: Amalani Taiala, Anton Seuseu, Boston Lee Omarion Krone, Caden Tuivaiti, Chris Finau, Christopher Makaafi, David Shepherd Fifita Kama, Graeme Otukolo, Hohaia Whiu, Inoke Vaingalo, Jay Dunne, Josh Fuimaono, Joshua Fuluifaga, Joshy Peteru, Levy Gwynne-Tuatahi, Loshaunce Lorenz Leaso, Miracle Siu KJ Vaovasa, Misipati Sa’olele Magele Tavae, Paula Lu'au, Saipele Tito, Semurana Fepulea’i, Solo Baleinaikasakasa,Tomasi Setitaia, Tyler Pulini, Uatesoni Pongi, Vainikolo Fifita, Vili Tu’ipulotu Havili.


New Zealand Barbarians Under 21: Moana Takataka, Leon Tuiloma, Liam McIntosh, Reuben Allen, Trent Ririnui, Max Ratcliffe, Kade Manuel, Hone Mathieson, Guy Visachi-Waerehu, Alex Vaa'ia, Josh Findlay, Richie Magele, George Steel, Jai Knight, Semisi Balenaisa, Marshall Blakely, Josh Gunn, Adam Morrison, Tai Mildon, Mason Verster, Wananga Matenga, Jerome Buckley-Fa'atoia, Kami Ratuibau, Siaosi Kava, Sam Nemec-Vial, Rios Tasmania, Zac Parkin.

Each Super Rugby Under 20 team is ranked based on their performance in 2024, the tournament will see teams play quarterfinals on match day one, semi-finals and 5/6 on match day two and play-offs / finals on match day three. Super Rugby Under 20s team rankings are as follows:

1. Crusaders
2. Chiefs
3. Hurricanes
4. Blues
5. Highlanders
6. Fiji
7. NZ Barbarians 
8. Moana Pasifika 

The week also includes development sessions for players and coaches, and visits to local schools.

Super Rugby Under 20 Draw:
Location: Owen Delany Park, Taupō 

Match Day 1 | Saturday 15 March 
11.05am Hurricanes vs Fiji (Quarter Final)
1.05pm Chiefs vs NZ Barbarians (Quarter Final)
3.05pm Crusaders vs Moana Pasifika (Quarter Final)
5.05pm Blues vs Highlanders (Quarter Final) 

Match Day 2 | Tuesday 18 March 
1.05pm 2nd Highest Rank Quarterfinal Loser v 3rd Highest Rank Quarterfinal Loser
3.05pm Highest Rank Quarterfinal Loser v Lowest Rank Quarterfinal Loser
5.05pm 2nd Highest Rank Quarterfinal Winner v 3rd Highest Rank Quarterfinal Loser (Semi-Final 1)
7.05pm Highest Rank Quarterfinal Winner 2 v Lowest Rank Quarterfinal Winner (Semi-Final 2)

Match Day 3 | Saturday 22 March 
11.05am 7th/8th Playoff
1.05pm 5th/6th Playoff
3.05pm 3rd/4th Playoff