National rugby selectors name Hautapu Sports pair in U-20 squad

Backs Ollie Guerin and Dallas Rata-Makene have become the latest Hautapu Sports players to be recognised by national rugby selectors.

Guerin has been named in the New Zealand U-20 squad for the U-20 Rugby Championship to be staged in South Africa, starting in late April.

Rata-Makene is a non-travelling reserve, on stand-by for the squad.

Main photo: Ollie Guerin (left) and Dallas Rata-Makene.

The New Zealand side will play Australia, Argentina and South Africa at the tournament.

Head coach Kane Jury said the selected players had earned their places through their efforts at last month's U-20 development programme in Taupõ.

“The week was a standout success, both on and off the field. One hundred of our most promising players arrived eager to learn, compete, and showcase their talent — and they delivered in spades," Jury said.

“As we head into The Rugby Championship, there’s genuine excitement about this group around who they are, who they can become, and how we can contribute to the legacy of this team."

Guerin and Rata-Makene will attend a pre-departure camp at the NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport in Wellington.

The pair played for Hamilton Boys' High School, and are part of the Waikato Chiefs development programme.

Guerin played for New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2024 and 2025, while Rata-Makene has represented NZ Māori Ngā Whatukura.

Fixtures

Game to be played on Tuesday April 28, 2026 (NZT)

New Zealand v Australia
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth, 12am (NZT)

Game to be played on Monday Mary 4, 2026 (NZT)

New Zealand v Argentina
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth, 12am (NZT)

Game to be played on Sunday May 10, 2026 (NZT)

New Zealand v South Africa
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth, 2.10am (NZT)

Squad

Player/Super Rugby club/provincial union

Hookers
Josh Findlay, Crusaders, Canterbury
Luka Patumaka Makata, Blues, Auckland
Jericho Wharehinga, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay

Props
Alexander Hewitt, Hurricanes, Wellington
Dane Johnston, Chiefs, Taranaki
Henry Stuart, Highlanders, Otago
Ethan Webber, Highlanders, Otago

Locks
Jake Frost, Crusaders, Canterbury
John Falloon, Hurricanes, Wellington
Max Fale, Crusaders, Canterbury

Loose Forwards
Alex Arnold, Highlanders, Otago
Kobe Brownlee, Crusaders, Tasman
Micah Fale, Chiefs, Waikato
Patrick Mauga, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay
Finn McLeod, Crusaders, Canterbury
Logan Platt, Blues, Auckland
Caleb Woodley, Blues, Auckland

Halfbacks
Jackson Hughan, Highlanders, Southland
Boston Krone, Blues, Auckland
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty

First five-eighths
Cohen Norrie, Blues, Auckland
Mika Muliaina, Highlanders, Southland

Midfielders
David Lewai, Chiefs, Waikato
Siale Pahulu, Blues, Auckland
Angus Revell, Blues, Auckland
Haki Wiseman, Chiefs, Taranaki

Outside backs
Oliver Guerin, Chiefs, Waikato
Jay Reihana, Highlanders, Southland
JD Van Der Westhuizen, Blues, North Harbour
Logan Williams, Crusaders, Canterbury

Non-traveling reserves

The following are non-travelling reserves and will attend the pre-departure camp at the NZCIS in Wellington (April 12-19):

Hooker
Xavier Leota, Blues, Auckland

Props
Corban King, Hurricanes, Wellington
Charlie Wallis, Blues, Auckland

Lock
Zacherye Taulapapa, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay

Loose forwards
Drew Berg-McLean, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay
Bradley Tocker, Chiefs, Taranaki

Halfback
Charlie Sullivan, Crusaders, Canterbury

First five-eighth
Jimmy Taylor, Highlanders, Southland

Outside back
Dallas Rata-Makene, Chiefs, Waikato

The following seven players are on standby for the wider group:

Nate, Bodle, Crusaders, Canterbury (Prop); Jake Hutchings, Blues, Auckland (Loose Forward); Suli, Pahulu, Chiefs, Taranaki (Loose Forward); Luke, Atikinson, Crusaders, Canterbury (Midfield); Jacob, McKinnon, Blues, Auckland (Outside Back); Leo, Marfell, Crusaders, Tasman (Outside Back); Noah, Rogers, Chiefs, Taranaki (Outside Back).