Highlanders u20's Wider Squad Named

The Super Rugby Next Gen Competition will take place in May in Taupō and will provide a platform for the best under 20 talents in the Highlander’s region to showcase their skills at a national level. The quality of players and management groups across the five Super Rugby Clubs and the Barbarian team indicates the importance of these games to the development of our talented young players in New Zealand.

All three Highlander’s provincial unions are represented by players within this group and over the next two months they will all get to know each other, develop relationships, grow their own capabilities, and get a taste of rugby at a more professional level.  Highlanders Talent Development Manager, Kane Jury, hopes to be able to provide them with their best rugby experience to date. 

“The biggest thing for us is trying to get to know these guys and give them a sense of belonging to our Club. We use the six-pillar framework to help guide us to develop these emerging talents into professional rugby players and we hope this opportunity will provide a platform for them to then begin their professional journeys”.

There have been over 50 players in remote training groups since December 2021 focused on connection to the Highlanders region and ensuring fitness and game readiness levels were at the required level needed for all players to have the most beneficial experience possible once assembled.

On Friday 25^th March an internal trial was held, and the coaching group were pleased by the players’ performances and impressed with the amount of work that had been put in on and off the field.

Jury commented that, “some good players have been left out and while it is difficult leaving players out, particularly when we know they have put in solid time and effort, we know they will be ready to step into the squad should an injury occur, and they be called up”. 

The squad will assemble in early April and will begin by focusing on their connection to the Highlanders Club and region. Each player will also be engaged with a club side to ensure they receive regular games, and the squad will utilise local clubs in their bye weeks to run scenario games and progress check the squad ahead of the upcoming competition.

2022 Highlanders U20 Wider Squad: 

Otago

Oscar Cowley-Andrea

Steve Salelea

Rohan Wingham

Israel Otunuku

Michael Strydom

Oahu Davies-Philips

Konrad Toleafoa

Taylor Dale

Harrison Morton

Fabian Holland

Lawrence Leung-Wai

Oliver Haig

Will Stodart

Heath McEwen

Aaron Withy

Semisi Tupou-Taeiloa

Ned Pene

Noah Hotham

Brad Campbell

Cam Millar 

Ajay Faleafaga

Jake Te Hiwi

Tony Solomona

Jeremiah Asi

Oliver Foote

Bradley McPate

Jacob Waikari Jones

Finn Hurley

Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio

Southland

Liam McIntosh

Jack Taylor

Kaea Nikora Balloch

Hayden Michaels

North Otago

Asesela Ravuvu

Management

Head Coach: Ryan Bambry

Forwards Coach: Will Henry

Attack Coach: Dean Moeahu

Defence Coach: Kane Jury

Analysis & Skills Coach: Jason Forrest

Manager: Simon Wallace

Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach: Hamish McMillian

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brooke Eddie

Physiotherapist: Karen Meehan

Performance Analysts: Sam James-Everton & Hudson James-Everton

Nutritionist: Hanna Zouggari

Super Rugby Next Gen Competition (22-28^th May, Taupō)

Highlanders U20s v Barbarian FC U20s – Sunday 22^nd May

Highlanders U20s v Blues U20s – Wednesday 25^th May

Highlanders U20s v Chiefs U20s – Saturday 28^th May

ENDS