Highlanders name U20 Squad

The Highlanders have named a 27-man squad to play in the Bunnings Warehouse U20 Tournament in Taupo which runs from Sunday 22 to Saturday 28.

This is the second year of the tournament which was delayed from its normal March window due to the COVID 19 outbreak. The tournament brings together the top young rugby talent from around the country.

The Highlanders squad will be captained by halfback Noah Hotham who has already had game time for Tasman in last years Bunnings Cup competition, he will be joined by vice-captain Fabian Holland who made his Highlanders debut this year.

Altogether there are six players returning from last year but essentially it is a young squad with an impressive 13 players still being age eligible next year.

The team will be well served in the backs with Hotham and the well performed Cam Millar steering the ship. They will be ably supported by Ajay Faleafaga and Finn Hurley both of whom were selected for NZ Secondary Schools.

There is experience in the forwards with both Holland (Otago) and flanker Hayden Michaels (Southland) having played Bunnings Cup last season and props Rohan Wingham, Oscar Cowley-Andrea and lock/loosie Oliver Haig featured at last years’ tournament.

The draw has all teams playing a demanding three games in a week the Highlanders will take on the NZ Barbarians, Blues and Chiefs.

The team will be led by Head Coach Ryan Bambry and assisted by Will Henry, Dean Moeahu and Jason Forrest.

2022 Highlanders U20 Squad

Backs: Jeremiah Asi, Cameron Burgess, Bradley Campbell, Ajay Faleafaga, Oliver Foote, Noah Hotham, Finn Hurley, Bradley McPate, Cameron Millar, Jake Te Hiwi, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio

Forwards: Mahonri Auva’a, Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Taylor Dale, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Heath MacEwan, Liam McIntosh, Hayden Michaels, Isileli Otunuku, Will Stodart, Michael Strydom, Jack Taylor, Konrad Toleafoa, Semisi Tupou-Taeiloa, Edward Whyte, Rohan Wingham 

ENDS