Four Hautapu Sports players will play for the Chiefs U-20 squad at the week-long Super Rugby U-20 tournament in Taupō.
They are flanker Andrew Smith, lock Dylan Eti, halfback Rui Farrant and flying winger Waisake Salabiau.
The 27-player squad has been drawn from the best U-20 players in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau and Taranaki, making the selection of four players a special source of pride for Hautapu Sports.
The tournament runs from March 16-23, 2024, at Owen Delany Park and provides a key opportunity for New Zealand team selectors to assess talent for the upcoming U-20s Rugby Championship in April.
Chiefs Rugby Club Head of Pathways Kent Currie said:
“We have assembled an exciting group of talented young men to represent the Chiefs Rugby Club at the Super Rugby U-20 National Tournament.
“The players have worked very hard during their time in the Chiefs Performance Pathway, and we look forward to watching them test themselves against the best talent in New Zealand.
“A talented group of staff have worked very hard to prepare this squad. Win, lose or draw this has been a fantastic experience for all our players involved.”
Gallagher Chiefs National Development Contract (NDC) players Oli Mathis, Aisake Vakasiuola and Will Martin are three exciting talents named in the squad.
The University of Waikato Chiefs U-20’s first game is against the NZ Barbarians U-21s on Saturday March 16, and will kick off at 11.05am.
READ MORE: Follow the Chiefs U-20 team results here >>>>
University of Waikato Chiefs U-20 squad
Player, position, province
Aisake Vakasiuola, Blindside Flanker, Bay of Plenty
Andrew Smith, Blindside Flanker, Waikato
Aoturoa Seeling, Loose Head Prop, Bay of Plenty
Apai Ma’u hinkes, Tighthead Prop, Counties Manukau
Breyton Legge, Loose Head Prop, Waikato
Brooke Mitchell, Openside Flanker, Bay of Plenty
Daniel Tickelpenny, First Five, Waikato
Dylan Eti, Lock, Waikato
Faauma Kupita, Tighthead Prop, Bay of Plenty
Fletcher Carpenter, Halfback, Bay of Plenty
Frank Vaenuku, Left Wing, Bay of Plenty
Giancarlo Tuivailala, Centre, Waikato
Grady Forbes, Openside Flanker, Bay of Plenty
Hone Mathieson, First Five, Taranaki
Joey Taumateine, No.8, Counties Manukau
Jole Naufahu, Fullback, Waikato
Joshua Brunger, Centre, Waikato
Kase Meyer, Second Five, Bay of Plenty
Micah Fale, Openside Flanker, Waikato
Oli Mathis, Openside Flanker, Waikato
Rui Farrant, Halfback, Waikato
Sione Tupou, Hooker, Bay of Plenty
Tai Cribb, Lock, Waikato
Tom McCarthy, Hooker, Waikato
Topia Barrowcliffe, Halfback, Taranaki
Waisake Salabiau, Right Wing, Waikato
Will Martin, Loose Head Prop, Waikato
Team management
Head Coach: James Porter
Coach: Leon Holden
Coach: Carl Hoeft
Coach: Rhys Bayliss
Manager: Paula Corlett & Mickey Tahere
Trainers: Matt Burgess & Te Manawa Ngawhika
Physio: Jodi Spurgeon & Nicola Shaw
Video: Brad Morgan
Other squads
The Super Rugby U-20 squads to face the Chiefs are:
Blues
Sika Pole, Tamiano Ahloo, Kurene Luamanuvae, Robson Faleafa, Holdan Tatana, Nathaniel Pole, Loa Latu, Valentino Taito, Jack Lee, Kasaloma (Jnr) Ahokovi, Randall Baker, Riki Ruben, Blair Tagi-Fuimaono, Luke Aitken, Hohaia Whiu, Dickie Terepo, Alfa Kepu, Nathan Salmon, Kiwi Duncan, Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe, Hunter Rice, Cameron Christie, Tristyn Cook, Riley Williams, Rico Simpson, King Maxwell, Xavi Taele
Crusaders
Ben O’Donovan, Callum Summerfield, Cooper Grant, Cooper Roberts, Eli Oudenryn, Gus Brown, Isaac Hutchinson, Jack Coulthard, Jake Frost, Jake Pacey, James Cameron, Jayden Sa, Johnny Lee, Kurtis MacDonald, Liam Jack, Maloni Kunawave, Manumaua Letiu, Matt Lowe, Riley Brewis, Sione Mafi, Tayne Hemopo, Timoci Sauira, Toby Bell, Tylah Blake, Zachary Parkin, Christian Ioane, Tonga Helu
Highlanders
Hunter Areaiiti Burgess, Josh Augustine , Charlie Breen, Keegan Ferguson, Jayton (JJ) Fisher, Quinten Holland, Shaun Kempton , A-One Lolofie, Stan McClure, Liam McIntosh, Samuel Nemec-vial, Reuben Palmer, Wyndham Patuawa, Eric Peita, Dylan Pledger, Kyan Rangitutia, Max Ratcliffe, Gregor Rutledge, Justin Shaw, Moana Takataka, Taitelea Tasi-Cordtz , Josh Tengblad, Oliver Thode, William Thode , Jack Timu, Josh Whaanga, Caleb Williams
Hurricanes
Tom Allen, Reuben Allen, Jeremiah Avei-Collins, Vernon Bason, Mosese Bason, Will Cole, Sam Coles, Nathaniel Hauiti, Dylan Homan, Harry Irving, Bogi Kikau, Pita Manamanaivalu, Kade Maneul, CJ Mienie, Jack O’Brien, Liam O’Connor, Tofuka Paongo, Matolu Petaia, Sunia Ragede, Oscar Ritchie, Senio Sanele, Salesa Seumanufagai, Joshua Smith, Stanley Soloman, Jai Tamati, Patrick Tuifua, Leon Tuiloma
Fijian Drua
Jone Toe, Matai Tuisireli, Luke Nasau, Iowane Vakadrigi, Joshua Uluibau, Eroni Sarasau, Sairusi Laqere, Ratu sailosi Naiteqe, MalaniMay, Malakai Masi, Iliesa Erenavula, Ratu nemani Kurucake, Ebenezer Tuidraki, Sekenasa Nalasi, Inia Tudrau, Rupeni Nakiyoyo, SamChapman, PhilipBaselala, AiseaNawai, NetavaSaukuru, Ponipate Tuberi, Seremaia Tuiqamea, Joseva Ubitau, Sivaniolo Kalaveti , Aisea Tuisese, Tevita Roqara , Avakuki Niusalelekitoga, Isikeli Basiyalo, Anare Tabakaucoro, Charles Salikikoro
Moana Pasifika
Alex Lui Tafili, Alister Saulala, Antonio Popoalii, Charles Gemmell, Christopher Afamasaga, Daniel Nanai, Essendon Tuitupou, Graeme Otukolo, Harold Rounds, James Singh, John Samuelu, Kanavale Helu, Malachai Auimatangi, Malaesaili Elato, Manatu Leleifi, Moses Ravula Armstrong, Panaua Niulevaea, Peter Mafi, Poasi Tonga, Senio Faalupega, Siaosi Vaioleti, Siolo Fruean, Sione Matakaiongo, Spencer Ioelu, Star Sami, Tagiilima Justice Ripine, Trent Ririnui, Tyler Pulini, Wally Tau Vesi
New Zealand Barbarians Under 21
Perry Lawrence, Nikolasi Muli, Hayze Nepia, Lucas Casey, Nathaniel Barry, Eben Claasen, Jade Stewart, Elijah Maene-Lokeni, Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa, Toby Mallon, Joel Lauvale, Taeao Pomale-Time, Kieran Harris, Korbin Chwesik, Chris Finau, Cole Benson, Carlos Hihi, Regan Brown, Lazarus Papali’i, Harlyn Saunoa, Riley Lucas, Frazer Brown, Fletcher Hewitt-Smart, Isaac Murray-Macgregor, Tom Bradford, Jarell Luafalealo, Levi Hazelton
Fixtures
# indicates tournament ranking of team based on 2023 performance
Games to be played on Saturday March 16, 2024
Match 1: Quarter Final
NZ Barbarians (#4) v Chiefs (#5), 11.05am
Match 2: Quarter Final
Blues (#1) v Moana Pasifika (#8), 1.05pm
Match 3: Quarter Final
Hurricanes (#2) v Fijian Drua (#7), 3.05pm
Match 4: Quarter Final
Highlanders (#3) v Rank 6 Crusaders (#6), 5.05pm
Games to be played on Tuesday March 19, 2024
Match 5: Ranking game
2nd Highest Rank QF Loser v 3rd Highest Rank QF Loser, 11.05am
Match 6: Ranking game
Highest Rank QF Loser v Lowest Rank QF Loser. 1.05pm
Match 7: Semi Final
2nd Highest Rank QF Winner v 3rd Highest Rank QF Winner, 3.05pm
Match 8: Semi Final
Highest Rank QF Winner v Lowest Rank QF Winner, 5.05pm
Games to be played on Saturday March 23, 2024
Match 9: 7th/8th Playoff
Loser Match 5 v Loser Match 6, 11.05am
Match 10: 5th/6th Playoff
Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6, 1.05pm
Match 11: 3rd/4th Playoff
Loser Match 7 v Loser Match 8, 3.05pm
Match 12: Final (1st/2nd Playoff)
Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8, 5.05pm
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