Harry Irving, Stanley Solomon in New Zealand U20s for South Africa tournament

Harry Irving leads the charge for his Old Boys University side this past Saturday against Tawa. Photo: Andy McArthur.

Wellington club rugby players Harry Irving (Old Boys University) and Stanley Solomon (Petone) have been selected 31-man 2025 New Zealand Under 20s squad for The Rugby Championship (TRC) Under 20 tournament in South Africa in May. This is the first tournament of the year, with the U20 World Championships in Italy in July.

Solomon has been selected as one of squad six returning players from the squad that won the inaugural TRC Under 20 tournament in Australia last year, also including halves Dylan Pledger and Rico Simpson, front rowers Manumaua Letiu and Sika Pole and Manawatu loose forward Mosese Bason.

Mosese Bason in action for the Manawatu U20s in February’s Hurricanes region tri-series.

The squad has a broad regional make up with players spread across New Zealand’s five Super Rugby outfits, with the Blues (9), Crusaders (7), Chiefs (6), Hurricanes (5) and Highlanders (4).

New coach Milton Haig replaces Jono Gibbes, who led the team in 2023 and 2024 but is now focusing on his coaching role with the Chiefs in DHL Super Rugby Pacific. Current Canterbury Bunnings NPC Assistant Coach Robertson will take over the attack coach duties after four years with the Crusaders Under 20s.

“I’m thrilled to be back in New Zealand and coaching the under 20s. A lot has changed since I was last coaching at home, but the immense amount of talent and potential of our young players remains the same.

“We’ve got a highly skilled coaching group with Craig, Jarrad and Alex and we’re really happy with the squad we’ve selected. The depth of talent this year was evident at the U20 tournament in Taupo and although it was difficult team to pick, we believe we have the right group and there is some great leadership including a number of players from last year’s campaign.”

The 2025 squad will assemble for the first time at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation in Sport (NZCIS) in Wellington from 18-23 April.  Selectors will review selections after the TRC campaign before announcing the New Zealand Under 20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from 29 June to 19 July.

The 2025 New Zealand U20 squad is:

Hookers
Shaun Kempton, Highlanders/Southland
Manumaua Letiu, Crusaders/Canterbury
Eli Oudenryn, Crusaders/Tasman

Props
Tamiano Ahloo, Blues/Auckland
Robson Faleafa, Blues/Auckland
Dane Johnston, Chiefs/Taranaki
Riley Tofilau, Blues/North Harbour
Sika Pole, Blues/Auckland

Locks
Dylan Eti, Chiefs/Waikato
Joshua Tengblad, Highlanders/Otago
Randall Baker, Blues/Auckland

Loose Forwards
Mosese Bason, Hurricanes/Manawatū
Micah Fale, Chiefs/Waikato
Harry Irving, Hurricanes/Wellington
Aio Keith, Blues/Auckland
Xavier Treacy, Crusaders/Canterbury
Caleb Woodley, Blues/Auckland
Finn McLeod, Crusaders/Canterbury

Halfbacks
Dylan Pledger, Highlanders/Otago
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Jai Tamati, Hurricanes/ Manawatū

First five-eighth
Will Cole, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay
Rico Simpson, Blues/Auckland

Midfielders
James Cameron, Crusaders/Canterbury
Tayne Harvey, Highlanders/Southland
Cooper Roberts, Crusaders/Tasman
Jack Wiseman, Chiefs/Taranaki

Outside backs
Maloni Kunawave, Crusaders/Tasman
Taniela Maisiri, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Harlyn Saunoa, Blues/Auckland
Stanley Solomon, Hurricanes/Wellington

Unavailable due to injury
Logan Wallace, Aisake Vakasiuola, Jayden Sa.

Unavailable due to All Blacks Sevens duties
Oli Mathis, Joey Taumateine, Xavier Tito-Harris, Frank Vaenuku.

One our favourite First XV try clips – Stanley Solomon scores his famous try for Wellington College against St Pat’s Silverstream in 2021.