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New Zealand’s next gen talent named in teams for Global Youth Sevens

159 days ago

Maia Davis of Manawatu on attack during the round seven Bunnings Warehouse Farah Palmer Cup Championship Final match between Manawatu and Otago at Central Energy Trust Arena on September 22, 2024 in Palmerston North, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

New Zealand Rugby have revealed the nation’s Under 18s squads for the Global Youth Sevens in Auckland this weekend. The next generation of New Zealand Sevens stars will look to impress, with the potential for some to debut on the HSBC SVNS Series “within the next 12 months.”

Auckland will host the best-emerging rugby sevens talent from across the globe from December 13 to 15. This is an exciting opportunity for young New Zealanders to represent their nation on the world stage, with players selected after regional and national age group tournaments.

There is an established pathway here for players to push on from New Zealand Under 18s level into the SVNS Series, with Justine McGregor and Joey Taumateine both debuting for the women’s and men’s teams respectively at the season-opening event in Dubai.

Catch up on the action from the HSBC SVNS Series on RugbyPass TV, which you can sign up for HERE.

McGregor was part of the Black Ferns Sevens side that made the cup final in Dubai before going one better the following weekend at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. New Zealand beat a valiant USA outfit 26-12 to secure their first title of the 2024/25 SVNS Series campaign.

Selectors have watched athletes in school, club and provincial competitions before picking these representative sides for the Global Youth Sevens. They made sure to take their time by picking these squads, which will be coached by Tafai Ioasa and Kristina Sue.

“We are looking for young players who show the character and skills we value in the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens teams,” New Zealand Rugby Sevens Pathways Manager, Dan Goodwin, said in a statement.

“The reality is some of these players could be on the (SVNS Series) within the next 12 months, so it’s important they fit the profile of a top sevens athlete on and off the field.

“This group of players are a credit to themselves and their communities and have an amazing opportunity to showcase their talents next weekend.

“It’s also exciting to see former players within our management groups, not only giving back to the next generation, but taking those next steps in their own post-playing careers.”

Wiremu Brailey returns after helping the Under 18 boys’ team take out the Global Youth title in 2023. There are also three members from the Condors-winning Tauranga Boys’ College side, including Charlie Sinton who was named the Maori Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

Ioasa returns as the team’s head coach, while recently retired All Blacks Sevens great Sam Dickson will help as an assistant coach. Dickson retired alongside Tim Mikkelson and Scott Curry, which brought an end to three of the more legendary careers in sevens history.

Louise Blyde, Danii Mafoe and Braxton Sorensen-McGee are back again for the Under 18s girls’ team after playing for this New Zealand age grade side last year. Arlia MacCarthy and Maia Davis are also back for their third year with the representative side.

New Zealand U18 Girls
Taufa Bason (Feilding High School)
Louise Blyde (Sacred Heart New Plymouth)
Unuhia Crosby-Te Whare (Howick College)
Maia Davis (MANUKURA)
Libby Kearins-Te Whare (Hamilton Girls High School)
Mele Latu’ila (Wesley College)
Arlia MacCarthy (Mount Albert Grammar)
Danii Mafoe (Mount Albert Grammar)
Keira Russell (Hamilton Girls High School)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (Auckland Girls Grammar)
Te Maia Sweetman (MANUKURA)
Asha Taumoepeau-Williams (Howick College)
Charlotte Va’afusuaga (St Hildas Collegiate School)

Coach: Kristina Sue
Assistant Coach: Blair Baxter
Manager: Ivana Samani

New Zealand U18 Boys
Pyrenees Boyle Tiatia (University of Waikato)
Wiremu Brailey (Rotorua Boys’ High School)
Kele Lasaqa (Tauranga Boys’ College)
David Lewai (University of Waikato)
Finn McLeod (Christchurch Boys’ High School)
Brayden Neilson (New Plymouth Boys’ High School)
Rupeni Raviyawa (Feilding High School)
Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe (Northcote RFC)
Charlie Sinton (Tauranga Boys’ College)
Aidan Spratley (Tauranga Boys’ College)
Bradley Tocker (Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
Jack Wiseman (New Plymouth Boys’ High School)
Caleb Woodley (Grammar TEC)

Coach: Tafai Ioasa
Assistant Coach: Sam Dickson
Manager: Ben Hitchcock

Global Youth Sevens
13-15 December
Dilworth, Auckland

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍