The next big names in Super Rugby will go head-to-head across an action-packed week of rugby at the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 tournament this April.

The newly formed tournament will see Under 20 sides from the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders along with a New Zealand Barbarians Club Under 20 team take part in three match days at Taupō’s Owen Delany Park. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky on 11 April, 14 April and 17 April.

Former Blues and Stormers Coach Paul Feeney will head the New Zealand Barbarian Club Under 20 coaching team, with players set to be selected from across the 26 Provincial Unions.

The New Zealand Under 20 programme also gets a boost with the announcement of Tabai Matson as Head Coach. The former Crusaders and Chiefs Assistant Coach will be joined by Tom Donnelly and Cory Jane in the coaching team.

New Zealand Rugby High Performance Player Development Manager Matt Sexton said rejuvenating the Under 20 programme was pleasing after the covid-19 enforced hiatus in 2020.

“The Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 tournament will give our emerging players a high level of game experience and give our talent identification network an effective platform to confirm players for the New Zealand Under 20 programme.

“Securing the calibre of coaches that we have is crucial in the Under 20s environment. Tabai’s experience is first class and along with Tom and Cory; they have a really important role assisting the development of these young players,” said Sexton.

A playing programme for the New Zealand Under 20 will be confirmed in coming months, with the hope that a Trans-Tasman bubble will enable an Oceania Tournament later this year. The Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament will not take place in 2021, with provincial unions instead delivering regional Under 19 programmes.

Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 Draw

Sunday 11 April 11.30am Hurricanes v Chiefs 1.30pm Barbarians v Highlanders 3.30pm Crusaders v Blues

Wednesday 14 April 11.30am Barbarians v Blues 1.30pm Hurricanes v Highlanders 3.30pm Crusaders v Chiefs

Saturday 17 April 11am Crusaders v Highlanders 1pm Barbarians v Chiefs 3pm Hurricanes v Blues

Highlanders U20 Training Squad:

Props: Rohan Wingham, Geordie Bean, Tevita Pole, Naryan Strickland, Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Marika Parker

Hookers: Harry Press, Harry Hansen, Jame Moodie (Invercargill Marist)

Locks: Levi Uluakaihoia, Harrison Morton, Fabian Holland, Aleki Saili (Invercargill Marist) 

Loose Forwards: Oliver Haig, Sean Withy (C), Harry Taylor, Ned Pene, Leroy Ferguson, Arese Poliko (Stags/Invercargill Blues) 

Halfbacks: Nathan Hastie, Noah Hotham, Tonga Nau

First Five: Max Webb, Cam Miller

Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Emmanuel Ventura, Giovanni Leituala, Bradley McPate, Thomas McKenzie

Back Three: Michael Manson, Jermaine Pepe, Peceli Malanicagi, Jackson Toms

Article added: Wednesday 24 March 2021