Three All Blacks with caps and a few New Zealand sevens representatives are among the top 50 prospects under 23 who are presently playing in New Zealand.
They aren’t the only foreign players that play provincial rugby here, though; there are also two capped Tongan and Fijian players among them. There’s another France U20 representative on the list, and she will undoubtedly be in high demand from several countries.
While the Crusaders appear to have many of the future generation of locks, the Hurricanes are fortunate to have a lot of front row talents coming through the ranks.
The top 50 New Zealand prospects under the age of 23 for 2024 are listed below. This season, Solomon has been a pocket rocket wing for the New Zealand U20s and a first-five-eighth potential for Wellington. With his amazing footwork, the little 19-year-old may already have the greatest feet in the nation.
He was the star of the TRC U20s on the Sunshine Coast, igniting New Zealand’s attack against South Africa and effortlessly outmuscled opponents on the left wing. On the last day versus Australia, he stole a legendary intercept try to help seal the victory.
One of New Zealand’s top players in the World U20 Championships was the talented midfielder. Taele can take on opponents one-on-one and is a dangerous runner with the ability to stride off both feet. Not something you see frequently from a centre, but he can also kick goals. He can shoot over the line and plays extremely physically in defence. a gifted dramatist who will become well-known in the upcoming seasons.
This year, the young playmaker from Christchurch Boys High has made a big impression on the NPC stage. Wearing the No. 15 shirt against Wellington, he produced a standout performance. Despite their heavy loss to the formidable Lions team, White shone out with a try and four line breaks. His efficient stride and strong footwork allowed him to often break through Wellington. White might still aim for New Zealand U20 next year despite being overlooked for schoolboy honours in his own country.
After completing his education at Brisbane’s rugby powerhouse Nudgee College, the left-footed No 10 was a standout on the New Zealand U19 tour of South Africa. Smith’s prowess was evident when the age-grade representative team ripped away the provinces of South Africa. Smith relocated to Southland to start for the Stags, who are considerably more competitive this season, after aligning with Auckland.
Sa has inherent skills that set him apart from other rugby hopefuls in New Zealand. The 21-year-old, who stands 6’8 and weighs 125 kg, is the type of unique size that obviously doesn’t grow on trees. Sa is the type of behemoth that is absent in New Zealand. He has a lot of growing to do as he enters his second season of NPC with the Bulls. He has to learn how to control his strength and achieve elite fitness in order to become a formidable player. Sa, however, is without a doubt the nation’s best lock prospect on his own. News for The Daily Rugby
The young Spencer has not been seen since leaving Hamilton Boys as a schoolboy celebrity. In 2023, he had a brief appearance on the Sevens circuit before suffering an injury while competing for the New Zealand U20s in warm-up matches against Australia. He regrettably lost out on the opportunity to compete at the World U20 Championships last year as a result. After having surgery, he went back for three NPC caps with Auckland but hasn’t been seen since 2024. Despite a difficult few years, Spencer is likely to make a comeback at the Super Rugby level as he has signed with the Blues.
Another standout at this year’s World U20 Championships, Bason was one of the few 19-year-olds picked in the squad. He finished high school in Fielding last year and was named player of the Super U20 tournament in Taupo in 2024 for the Hurricanes U20. Younger brother of New Zealand U20 captain and hooker Vernon, Mosese is a strong ball-carrying loose forward with big upside.
Ranked the number one high school player in 2023 at Hamilton Boys, Mathis was a star for the New Zealand schoolboys in 2023. Although he wasn’t picked for New Zealand U20s this year, Mathis has burst onto the NPC scene showing his explosive speed and running. In his second appearance for Waikato, he snagged a crucial ruck turnover against Auckland in front of his own goalposts. Against Northland he ripped a 50-metre try from a set piece launch, beating a handful of defenders on the way. Mathis is sure to be selected for the New Zealand U20s next year.
Anderson is a stocky No 8 with surprising power. His game is built on work rate, double-digit tackles and carries, while also being a lineout jumping option in the back row. He is an 80-minute player with a big engine. He has been a workhorse for the Mako in 2024 after missing the entire season in 2023 due to injury. Named the Makos rookie of the year in 2022, Anderson made his Crusaders debut this year, getting two bench appearances, before getting back on the provincial circuit.
The 6’4 midfielder out of Otago Boys has the size that has been missing from New Zealand’s midfields of recent years. A New Zealand U20 rep in 2024, Whaanga has 16 caps for Otago since making his debut in 2023 and was one of the Highlanders’ top homegrown talents. A big body who can distribute well, Whaanga could become a gain line weapon with the size that he possesses.
The son of former All Black midfielder Alama, the Silverstream product is a towering second-rower at 6’4 and 115kg. Having debuted for the Lions in NPC in 2023, Ieremia is into his second season of provincial rugby. Despite having the ultimate rugby pedigree, Ieremia hasn’t had New Zealand age grade recognition but is a naturally skilled lock with size and power. With the Hurricanes unable to uncover an All Black calibre lock in years, Ieremia could be that solution.
The Tasman flyer out of Marlborough is a tall wing with range and plenty of speed. The electric prospect debuted for Tonga last year as a 20-year-old and played one pool game at the Rugby World Cup, coming off the bench to score against Romania. 2024 saw Taumoefolau make his Super Rugby Pacific debut for Moana Pasifika where he played nine games. Tonga clearly see plenty of potential long-term in the young winger.
The Tongan-born flanker has come through the Wellington system after moving to New Zealand for his schooling. The dynamic ball-carrying force made a name for himself as a back-rower after starting out as a midfielder. His powerful carrying is a key asset. Clocking in at 125kg, Halalilio is built tough but possesses explosive running. As an openside for Wellington, Halalilo is used as a high-volume tackler more in the Sam Cane-mould with plenty of other big ball carriers in the side.
This year’s New Zealand U20 captain, the older Bason brother is a strong carrier with ball skills. After two New Zealand U20 campaigns, he is back with a young Turbos side and battling for game time with another age-grade hooker prospect, Raymond Tuputupu. The Hurricanes have a ton of front-row prospects coming through their feeder provinces and Bason is another on the list.
The son of former Crusader Graham and nephew of former All Black Chris, Jack is full of rugby pedigree. After anchoring the New Zealand U20s lineout and 2024, Jack is already starting games for Canterbury in the NPC shortly after making his provincial debut. After winning a Super Rugby U20 title this year, Jack is part of the next crop looking to get the club back to championship-winning ways.
A bolter who has hit the NPC this year out of Whangarei Boys High School, Salmon is a 6 ft 3 wing with plenty of gas. He’s impressed out wide for the Taniwha with two tries in his three starts. A New Zealand barbarian selection last year, he scored a try against New Zealand schools. Given his age profile and youth, Salmon is now a top wing prospect after showing he can more than handle it at provincial level.
Another propping prospect in the capital out of Norths Rugby Club, the 21-year-old is 6 ft 3 and 127kg already. He’s only had two provincial caps but professional rugby demands players of this size and they don’t grow on trees. He’s a development prospect but has potential.
The 22-year-old became a Highlanders regular this season with 12 appearances after his initial debut in 2023. Raised in the UK, Haig attended Otago Boys High and has been in the Highlanders development system since. Haig can also cover lock if needed, but he has mainly been used as a backrower. His height makes him another lineout option which is a necessity of any blindside at the next level. With dual eligibility, Haig has multiple pathways to the international arena.
The Highlanders pivot is one of two young first fives coming through the Otago team, the other being Ajay Faleafaga. Miller possesses a strong kicking game with a long kick, but needs to develop a triple-threat game to progress further. There are signs the 21-year-old is able to do so, with a brilliant counter-attacking run against Canterbury showing Miller has big playmaking ability. If he can develop more ball playing and a running game, he could get to the highest level.
A schoolboy star in Auckland 1A rugby, Clark has been a blue chip prospect in the New Zealand system for some time. At 6’4 and 101kg, the flanker has robust speed which transferred onto the sevens circuit where he became an All Blacks Sevens rep in 2022. After graduating from the New Zealand U20 side, he is now plying his trade for Auckland looking for the next level at Super Rugby. Given the investment made into his development, he will no doubt be on the Blues roster in no time.
The Counties Manukau loosehead prop is one of the bigger front-row prospects under 23. Out of Wesley College, Kaivelata was originally on a development deal with the Chiefs in 2023 after three seasons of provincial rugby with Counties. He made his Super Rugby debut in 2024 against the Force, completing his unlikely rise. He is surprisingly mobile for a big man and that’s what appeals for the prototype front-rower that succeeds in New Zealand rugby
One of the stars of Hamilton Boys’ 2022 national title-winning and World Schools festival-winning team, Tuivailala graduated from the New Zealand U20 into the Waikato side last year. A genuine outside centre, the Mooloo have used him on the wing so far but Tuivailala has shown glimpses of his talent already, skinning Auckland down the flank for a try in round four. He is a blue chip centre prospect and will find his way into the midfield over the next few seasons.
