A big congratulations to Rugby Southland Academy members Shaun Kempton (hooker) & Tayne Harvey (midfielder) who have been selected in the NZ U20 squad to contest the U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa next month. Both players had fantastic Super Rugby U20 Campaigns with the Highlanders last month in Taupo.

Congratulations to Southlander and fellow Rugby Southland Academy member Mika Muliaina (first five) who has been selected as a standby player and will attend the squad camp in Wellington. Mika had an impressive Super Rugby U20 tournament in Taupo leading the Highlanders team around the park well in the number 10 jersey. Mika, who is fresh out of Southland Boys’ High School, has come through the Rugby Southland Pathways system for the past four years.

The squad and standby players will assemble in Wellington later this month for a week long camp before departing for South Africa to prepare for the two week tournament. Games will be played on May 1st, 5th and 11th against Junior Wallabies, Springboks and Argentina. Following the tournament the final NZ U20 squad will be named to compete in the U20 World Cup to be played in Italy June 29th  – July 19th. 

Congratulations to Shaun, Tayne and Mika. This is a fantastic achievement for the players, and a proud moment for the wider Southland rugby community.

Article added: Monday 07 April 2025