Get ready, footy fans! The 2025 schoolboys rugby league season is shaping up to be a ripper, especially down under. We’re talking about the next generation of stars hitting the field in both New Zealand and Australia. From national tournaments to international clashes, there’s a whole lot to keep an eye on. Let’s dive into what you need to know for the upcoming schoolboys rugby league 2025 season.
Key Takeaways
- The New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament is expanding, with more teams than ever competing across various grades, including boys and girls championships.
- Australia has assembled strong U18 and Schoolboys squads for 2025, with upcoming fixtures against international rivals like Fiji and New Zealand.
- The Southern Hemisphere is showcasing top schoolboy rugby talent, with specific schools emerging as powerhouses and exciting rivalries expected.
- Mark your calendars for key dates including national tournament kick-offs, international series matches, and championship finals throughout the schoolboys rugby league 2025 season.
- There’s a clear focus on player development, with pathways designed to identify and nurture future stars, and a watchlist for emerging talent heading into 2026 and beyond.
New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament Gears Up
Tournament Dates and Venues Announced
The 2025 NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament is shaping up to be the biggest one yet, kicking off on Friday, August 29th, and running through to Sunday, August 31st. This year, Auckland is the host city, with games spread across two key locations: Bruce Pulman Park and Walter Massey Park. It’s going to be a massive weekend of footy, with heaps of young talent on display.
Record Number of Teams Competing
Get this – we’ve got a record 62 teams signed up for the tournament this year! That means over 1,500 players and staff will be involved, not to mention all the family and friends cheering them on. It’s awesome to see so many schools getting involved in rugby league and wanting to compete at this level. The numbers have been climbing steadily since 2022, showing just how popular the sport is becoming in schools across the country.
Here’s a look at how the team numbers have grown:
- 2022: 22 teams
- 2023: 38 teams
- 2024: 49 teams
- 2025: 62 teams
Key Competition Grades to Watch
There are four main competition grades to keep an eye on:
- Junior/U15 Boys Carnival: Expect some fast-paced action from the younger lads.
- Senior Boys Championship: Always a tough contest, showcasing some serious skill.
- Girls Championship: The girls’ game is going from strength to strength, and this grade is always a highlight.
- Senior Boys Premiership: This is where the top senior teams battle it out for ultimate bragging rights.
With more teams than ever in each grade, the competition is going to be fierce. We’re expecting some absolutely thrilling games as Aotearoa’s next generation of league stars battle it out for national honours.
Australian Schoolboys Squads Assembled for 2025
Australia U18 Squad Selection Process
The selection process for the Australian U18 squad kicked off way back in March, with a series of matches between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds U18 teams. From there, it’s been a long haul, tracking performances through school competitions, club games, and representative matches right up until the National Schoolboy Championships in July. Rugby Australia, working closely with the Australian Schools Rugby Union and Super Rugby clubs, has had the tough job of whittling down a massive pool of talent. It’s a real testament to the depth of schoolboy rugby across the country that so many players put their hands up.
Australian Schoolboys Squad Announced
After all that deliberation, the final squads are in! For the Australia U18 team, a strong 30-player squad has been named, with a good mix of returning players offering leadership and plenty of new faces. The Australian Schoolboys squad, a more focused group of 23 players, has also been finalised. It’s a challenging task narrowing it down, and inevitably, some really talented players will miss out this year. Several promising U17 players have also caught the selectors’ eyes and are already on the watchlist for 2026.
Here’s a look at the squads:
Australia U18 Squad
- Angus Grover – St Ignatius College, Riverview
- Brody Folkes – St Ignatius College, Riverview
- Chayse Geros – St Augustine’s College
- Cyrus Bloomfield – Oakhill College
- Dylan Simmons – Newington College
- Ed Kasprowicz – Sydney University
- Finn Mackay – Souths Rugby Club, Brisbane
- Glassie Glassie – Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
- Hasani Bloomfield – The King’s School
- Hayden Lavercombe – The King’s School
- Heinz Lemoto – The Scots College
- Isaac Fonua – The King’s School
- Isaac Rauluni – Nudgee College
- Jarryd King – Newington College
- Jarvis Orr – Knox Grammar
- Jonah Rangiwai – Bond University
- Jonty Fowler – Easts Rugby Club, Sydney
- Justice Taumoepeau – St Joseph’s College
- Kingsley Uys – The Southport School
- Levi Slater – Nudgee College
- Nicholas Conway – Wests Rugby Club, Brisbane
- Oliver Smith – The King’s School
- Rory O’Connor – St Joseph’s College
- Tahj Smith – Barker College
- Taione Taka – Brisbane Boys’ College
- Talen Risati – The King’s School
- Tito Hamala – Nudgee College
- TJ Talaileva – Barker College
- Treyvon Pritchard – Anglican Church Grammar School
- Will Ross – Padua College
Australian Schoolboys Squad
- Adrian De Klerk – Sunshine Coast Grammar School
- Angus Tagicakibau – Brisbane State High School
- Brock Prideaux – Trinity Grammar School
- Cameron Kirsten – Marist College Canberra
- Cyrus Suniula – Brisbane State High School
- Daniel Muir – Newington College
- Denzel Veikune – Daramalan College
- Elijah Breen – Brisbane Grammar School
- Gavin Wilson-Tyres – Downlands College
- George Tancred – St Ignatius College
- James Finegan – Waverley College
- Jeremy Rath – Barker College
- Jerome Pongi – St Brigid’s Catholic College, Lake Munmorah
- Josh Barr – Waverley College
- Keegan Daly – Barker College
- Kobi Nouanrasy – King’s Christian College
- Lane Edmonds – Ipswich Grammar School
- Noah Rylands – St Augustine’s College
- Oscar Cleary – Kinross Wolaroi School
- Rohan Nichol – Sunshine Coast Grammar School
- Tannar Baker – Ipswich Grammar School
- Thomas Haslam – Knox Grammar
- Will Trostel – Trinity Grammar
Upcoming Fixtures Against International Rivals
The stage is set for some cracking rugby league at Viking Park in Canberra this spring. The Australian U18s will lock horns with the New Zealand Secondary Schools in a two-match series. Meanwhile, the Australian Schoolboys will face the Fiji Schoolboys in their own two-match series. All these games are part of a double-header format, so you can catch plenty of action. Before they take on the Kiwis and Fijians, the two Australian squads will actually play each other to get their preparations underway. The coaching teams are confident these squads are ready for the challenge, especially against traditional rivals like New Zealand, and they’re expecting some tough contests.
The coaching staff are feeling good about the selected squads and are looking forward to the upcoming games against New Zealand. They know it won’t be easy to win, but they’re sure the Australia U18 squad is up for it. All the matches will be shown live and for free on the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel, so there’s no excuse not to tune in.
Southern Hemisphere Schoolboy Rugby Highlights
Top Performing Schools in 2025
The 2025 schoolboy rugby season down under has been a real ripper, showcasing some seriously impressive talent. We’ve seen some absolute barnstormers from schools across New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. It’s been a tough competition, with teams battling it out week after week.
Here’s a look at a few standout performers:
- Paarl Boys (South Africa): These guys have had a magical season. After a bit of a rebuilding phase, they’ve come back strong, claiming the Paarl Derby in a nail-biter. They’re definitely back on top.
- Christchurch Boys (New Zealand): They went unbeaten in their league and then absolutely smashed it in the final, winning 52-0. While they narrowly missed out on the Top 4, their league form was top-notch.
- St Augustines (Australia): Continuing their dominance, they snagged their 12th ISA title. They only had one draw all season, showing just how good they are.
Emerging Talent on the National Stage
It’s not just the usual suspects making waves. This year, we’ve seen a bunch of younger players really step up and show what they’re made of. Keep an eye out for these rising stars who are making a name for themselves.
Rivalries and Championship Contenders
The intensity ramps up when traditional rivals lock horns. Matches like the Paarl Derby and the clashes between top South African schools at festivals like Noord-Suid and Grey High Rugby Festival always deliver.
The level of skill and commitment on display from these young athletes is truly something to behold. It’s more than just a game; it’s about pride, tradition, and the future of rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.
Key Dates for Schoolboys Rugby League 2025
National Tournament Kick-off
The 2025 New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament is set to kick off on Friday, 29 August, running through to Sunday, 31 August. This year’s event will be held across two Auckland venues: Bruce Pulman Park and Walter Massey Park. With a record 62 teams competing across four grades – Junior/U15 Boys Carnival, Senior Boys Championship, Girls Championship, and Senior Boys Premiership – it’s shaping up to be the biggest tournament yet. Expect over 1,500 players and staff, plus plenty of passionate supporters cheering them on.
International Series Matches
Get ready for some serious international schoolboy footy! The Australian U18 and Australian Schoolboys squads will be in action in Canberra. Here’s the rundown:
- Thursday, 25 September: Australia U18 vs. Australian Schoolboys (12pm AEST) at Viking Park.
- Monday, 29 September: Australian Schoolboys vs. Fiji Schoolboys (12pm AEST) and Australia U18 vs. New Zealand Secondary Schools (2pm AEST), both at Viking Park.
- Saturday, 4 October: Australian Schoolboys vs. Fiji Schoolboys (12pm AEST) and Australia U18 vs. New Zealand Secondary Schools (2pm AEST), again at Viking Park.
All these clashes will be broadcast live and free on the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel.
Championship Finals Schedule
While specific times and venues for all championship finals across the various national tournaments are still being locked in, the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament culminates on Sunday, 31 August. For the Australian fixtures, the final matches against Fiji and New Zealand will wrap up on Saturday, 4 October. Keep an eye on official tournament websites for the exact schedule as it gets closer.
Mark your calendars! The back half of 2025 is packed with schoolboy rugby league action. From the national tournaments to international showdowns, there’s plenty to get excited about for fans of the game.
Player Development and Pathways
Identifying Future Stars
It’s not just about the big games and the championship titles, you know? A huge part of schoolboys rugby league is spotting the next generation of talent. Coaches and scouts are always on the lookout, watching games from local carnivals right up to the national tournaments. They’re looking for players with that spark – the ones who show natural skill, a good attitude, and a real passion for the game. It’s about seeing potential, not just what’s on the scoreboard right now.
National Championships Impact
The national championships are a massive stage for these young players. It’s where teams from all over Australia and New Zealand come together, giving everyone a chance to see who’s who. For many, it’s their first taste of high-level competition against players they wouldn’t normally meet. This exposure is invaluable for their development, helping them understand what it takes to compete at a higher level. Winning here can open doors, but even just playing well can get you noticed.
Watchlist for 2026 and Beyond
Keep an eye on these names! Based on what we’re seeing this season, a few players are definitely ones to watch for the future. They might not be in the top squads just yet, but they’re showing all the right signs. Think about players who are consistently making good decisions, leading their teams, and showing grit even when things get tough. These are the athletes who are likely to be making waves in the coming years, maybe even representing their country down the track.
- Emerging Backline Talent: Look out for speedy wingers and smart halfbacks who can read the game. They’re the ones who can change a match in an instant.
- Dominant Forward Prospects: Strong, mobile forwards who can make tackles and carry the ball effectively are always in demand.
- Skilled Playmakers: Players with a good pass, a solid kick, and the ability to organise the team are gold.
The journey from schoolboy rugby to professional leagues is a long one, and it’s not just about raw talent. It takes dedication, hard work, and the right support system. These pathways are designed to help young players grow, not just as athletes, but as people too. It’s a big part of what makes schoolboys rugby so exciting to follow.
The Season Ahead
So there you have it, a look at what’s coming up for schoolboys rugby league. It’s shaping up to be a big one, with plenty of talent ready to hit the field. From what we’ve seen, the competition is getting tougher each year, which is exactly what we want to see. Keep an eye out for these young players, because some of them are definitely going to be ones to watch in the future. It’s going to be a ripper season, so get ready for some great footy!
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the NZ Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament happening?
Get ready for the big one! The NZ Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament is set for August 29th to August 31st, 2025. It’s all going down in Auckland at Bruce Pulman Park and Walter Massey Park. It’s going to be massive this year with heaps of teams and players!
How many teams are playing in the New Zealand tournament?
This year’s tournament is going to be huge, with a record 62 teams all geared up to compete. That means over 1,500 players and staff will be involved, making it the biggest one yet!
What are the main rugby league events happening in Australia in 2025?
Australia’s top young talent will be on show! The Australia U18 and Australian Schoolboys squads have been picked and will play a series of games in Canberra. They’ll be taking on traditional rivals like New Zealand and Fiji, so expect some cracking footy!
Where can I watch the Australian U18 and Australian Schoolboys games?
No worries if you can’t get to Canberra! All the action from the Australia U18 and Australian Schoolboys fixtures will be broadcast live and for free. You can catch all the games on the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel.
Are there any special events or things to look out for at the NZ tournament?
Absolutely! Besides the awesome rugby, the NZ tournament will have free physio services for all the players, a fun activation zone, and plenty of food trucks for everyone to enjoy. It’s a great day out for the whole family!
Which schools have been strong performers in recent years?
Keep an eye on St. Thomas of Canterbury College in New Zealand; they’ve been on fire, winning the Senior Boys Premiership two years in a row and are aiming for a three-peat! In the girls’ competition, schools like Manurewa High, Auckland Girls’ Grammar, and Southern Cross Campus have shown they’re top contenders.
