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

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.

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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