The Chiefs Rugby Club have named their University of Waikato Chiefs U20 squad to contest the Super Rugby U20 tournament in Taupō. 

The tournament will run from  March 16-23 at Owen Delany Park and provides a key opportunity for New Zealand team selectors to assess talent for the upcoming U20s Rugby Championship in April. 

Gallagher Chiefs National Development Contract (NDC) players Oli Mathis, Aisake Vakasiuola and Will Martin are three exciting talents named in the squad.  

“We have assembled an exciting group of talented young men to represent the Chiefs Rugby Club at the Super Rugby U20 National Tournament," says Chiefs Rugby Club Head of Pathways Kent Currie.

"The players have worked very hard during their time in the Chiefs Performance Pathway and we look forward to watching them test themselves against the best talent in New Zealand.  

“A talented group of staff have worked very hard to prepare this squad. Win, lose or draw this has been a fantastic experience for all our players involved.” 

The University of Waikato Chiefs U20’s first game will kick off at 11.05am this Saturday March 16 against the NZ Barbarians U20’s. 

University of Waikato Chiefs U20s squad: (player name, position, province)

Aisake Vakasiuola, Blindside Flanker, Bay of Plenty

Andrew Smith, Blindside Flanker, Waikato

Aoturoa Seeling, Loose Head Prop, Bay of Plenty

Apai Ma'u hinkes, Tighthead Prop, Counties Manukau

Breyton Legge, Loose Head Prop, Waikato

Brooke Mitchell, Openside Flanker, Bay of Plenty

Daniel Tickelpenny, First Five, Waikato

Dylan Eti, Lock, Waikato

Faauma Kupita, Tighthead Prop, Bay of Plenty

Fletcher Carpenter, Halfback, Bay of Plenty

Frank Vaenuku, Left Wing, Bay of Plenty

Giancarlo Tuivailala, Centre, Waikato

Grady Forbes, Openside Flanker, Bay of Plenty

Hone Mathieson, First Five, Taranaki

Joey Taumateine, No.8, Counties Manukau

Jole Naufahu, Fullback, Waikato

Joshua Brunger, Centre, Waikato

Kase Meyer, Second Five, Bay of Plenty

Micah Fale, Openside Flanker, Waikato

Oli Mathis, Openside Flanker, Waikato

Rui Farrant, Halfback, Waikato

Sione Tupou, Hooker, Bay of Plenty

Tai Cribb, Lock, Waikato

Tom McCarthy, Hooker, Waikato

Topia Barrowcliffe, Halfback, Taranaki

Waisake Salabiau, Right Wing, Waikato

Will Martin, Loose Head Prop, Waikato 

Team Management:

Head Coach: James Porter

Coach: Leon Holden

Coach: Carl Hoeft

Coach: Rhys Bayliss

Manager: Paula Corlett & Mickey Tahere

Trainers: Matt Burgess & Te Manawa Ngawhika

Physio: Jodi Spurgeon & Nicola Shaw

Video: Brad Morgan  

Super Rugby U20 Draw: 

SATURDAY MARCH 16

Match 1: Quarter Final, 11:05, Rank 4 NZ Barbarians v Rank 5 Chiefs

Match 2: Quarter Final, 13:05, Rank 1 Blues v Rank 8 Moana Pasifika

Match 3: Quarter Final, 15:05, Rank 2 Hurricanes v Rank 7 Fijian Drua

Match 4: Quarter Final, 17:05, Rank 3 Highlanders v Rank 6 Crusaders 

TUESDAY MARCH 19

Match 5: 11:05, 2nd Highest Rank QF Loser v 3rd Highest Rank QF Loser

Match 6: 13:05, Highest Rank QF Loser v Lowest Rank QF Loser 

Match 7: Semi Final, 15:05, 2nd Highest Rank QF Winner v 3rd Highest Rank QF Winner

Match 8: Semi Final, 17:05, Highest Rank QF Winner v Lowest Rank QF Winner 

SATURDAY MARCH 23

Match 9: 7th/8th Playoff, 11:05, Loser Match 5 v Loser Match 6

Match 10: 5th/6th Playoff, 13:05, Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6

Match 11: 3rd/4th Playoff, 15:05, Loser Match 7 v Loser Match 8

Match 12: Final (1st/2nd Playoff), 17:05, Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8