Solomon embracing leadership role as NZ U20s prepare for World tournament

Above: Stanley Solomon leads the New Zealand Under-20s haka, Tetekura O Pango, in their recent tournament in South Africa. Photo supplied. 

• By Adam Julian

Stanley Solomon isn’t shy. But even the whippet Petone fullback was surprised when nobody volunteered to lead the New Zealand Under-20s haka, Tetekura O Pango.

So the former Wellington College First XV talisman did what he has always done: jump first.

“No one stuck their hand up. The room was silent like a school assembly. All the boys were keen but shy,” Solomon said.

“I stepped forward because I’m proud of my Māori heritage. I led the haka at school. I’m a second-year player who feels like I have the boys’ respect.”

Solomon playing for the Hurricanes U20s against their Crusaders counterparts at NCIS in early March. Photo: Andy McArthur.

Solomon traces his Māori ancestry back to the Otakou and Arowhenua Marae in the Aoraki region of the South Island. His iwi is Ngāi Tahu. In 2022 and 2023, he was part of the New Zealand Māori Under-18 Ngā Whatukura team that has produced two All Blacks in its short existence: Ruben Love (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whakaheke, Ngāti Pahaoa) and Cortez Ratima (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tama).

The New Zealand Under-20s haka was composed by Kahurangi Falaoa, a Māori visual artist, teacher, and member of Nga Aho, a New Zealand arts organisation. The Gisborne Boys’ High School stalwart designed a souvenir cap for the 2011 Rugby World Cup inspired by the concept of mana, or strength and integrity. Similar themes are reflected in the New Zealand Under-20 haka.

“The haka talks about the uniqueness of our team – having pride in representing ourselves, our families, our country. We practice it after every training and go over it in our spare time if we have to,” Solomon said.

“I’m not the only leader. Manumaua Letiu, Mosese Bason, and Harry Irving in the wider squad can step up.”

Patu, hoarse voice, pukana, Solomon gave Tetekura O Pango heaps on May 12 when New Zealand beat South Africa 48-45 in an exhilarating 15-try epic to retain their Under 20 Rugby Championship title. New Zealand was down 19-0 after a dozen minutes, eventually fulfilling the message in their higher calling.

“We knew South Africa was going to come at us hard. They were unbelievable. Still, there was no panic. The boys trust each other. Once we got our hands on the ball, we knew we could challenge them on the edges,” Solomon said.

Three tries from winger Harlyn Saunoa helped reduce the first-half deficit. After halftime, New Zealand was irresistible, with Solomon scoring their seventh and best try.

Replacement prop Dane “The Rock” Johnston busted after sleight of hand from fellow prop Sika Pole. New Zealand continued to take the ball to the line with superb shape and delightful handling by backs and forwards. Solomon was on the end of a chain as enjoyable as the Fleetwood Mac banger.

“We were disappointed with the Aussie draw. We felt like we were the better team on the day. Argentina was passionate, but we let loose on them. Against South Africa, we had some challenges. We also had that mindset, ‘we’re not going to lose this.’”

New Zealand has lost its head coach, Milton Haig, less than a month out from the Junior World Championship that starts in Italy on June 29. The former Georgian national coach (58 wins in 84 Tests) cited a difference in approach to the rest of his coaching staff. Solomon preferred not to comment on that situation, but Haig was praiseworthy of Stanley in a June interview with Rugby News.

“What is Stanley’s best position? I like him at fullback, where he has the freedom to roam. The fullback has to be the fittest player these days. They cover a lot of ground, defending and opening up the attack. The other unique thing about Stanley is that he can kick off both feet. If the ten is stuck at the bottom of a ruck, he can step forward into that role.”

Untangled from the cotton wool of precious officialdom, Solomon showcased those attributes in Petone’s 23-28 defeat against Poneke for the Tillyard Shield in the ninth round of the Swindale Shield on Saturday.

In his first game for Petone since scoring 17 points in a 37-31 win over Marist St Pats on June 8, 2024, Solomon made three try-saving tackles and was influential in the creation of tries for Conley Alexander and Jordon Glen-Bradbrook.

Stanley instigates this try from the back for JG Bradbrook on Saturday. Footage by Pōneke Livestream.

He wasn’t perfect. On a challenging afternoon for goal-kickers, he missed three conversion attempts. Poneke kicked one penalty from eight kicks overall.

In the last minute, Petone had a chance to win the game. Unfortunately, Solomon threw an errant pass.

“It was a skill error. I saw the space and rushed. Disappointing,” Solomon admitted.

“I felt like we were slow to get into the game. Nothing was working until we had the wind. Poneke is a handful. They’ve got some big boys who play direct with skill.

“We lost Logan Henry and Jarrod Hrstich in the first 20 minutes. I thought our debutants, Luke Pearson, Marco Venter, and Piri Bradshaw, did an awesome job.

“I haven’t been around the club much this year, but the culture feels different. It feels like there are more new leaders like Jermaine Pepe, Braith Ingram, and Jono Bailey. Then there are the old dogs like Logan Henry and Jarrod Adams.”

Petone is 6-3 in the Swindale Shield with a tough month of fixtures ahead against Johnsonville, Northern United, Paremata-Plimmerton, and Hutt Old Boys Marist (McBain Shield).

The Villagers should make the Jubilee Cup. However, they’re unlikely to have Solomon (18 games, 18 tries) because he already has eight wins in nine appearances for the Wellington Lions.

Solomon was the sole Wellington representative named in the 30-player New Zealand squad that contests the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from 29 June to 19 July.

Old Boys University blindside flanker Harry Irving and Hutt Old Boys Marist prop Israel Time are two off 11 non-travelling reserves. The New Zealand Under-20s are bidding to win their seventh World Championship, and first since 2017.

Note: “Tetekura” is a Māori term that translates to “a fern frond” or, more broadly, “the young shoot”. It’s also sometimes used figuratively to represent a chief or leader, especially in the proverb “Mate atu he tetekura, ara mai he tetekura,” which means “when one fern frond dies, another rises in its place,” or “when one leader dies, another takes their place.” Pango translates to black.

New Zealand Under 20s match schedule 

• Monday 30 June, 6:30am NZT: New Zealand v Italy – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
• Saturday 5 July, 4:00am NZT: New Zealand v Georgia – Stadia Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
• Thursday 10 July, 4:00am NZT: New Zealand v Ireland – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano