Rugby Southland is proud to acknowledge four Rugby Southland Academy members named in the New Zealand U20 programme for 2026.

Jay Reihana (wing), Mika Muliaina (first five) and Jackson Hughan (halfback) have been selected in the New Zealand U20 squad to contest the U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa from April 22nd – May 9th. Fellow Southlander and Academy member Jimmy Taylor (first five) has been named as a standby player and will attend the team’s upcoming training camp in Wellington, beginning April 12th.

All four players impressed at the New Zealand U20 development camp in Taupō earlier this month, continuing their progression through the Rugby Southland pathways system.

Rugby Southland CEO Hua Tamariki said the recognition of four Academy players at this level is a significant achievement.

“To have three players selected in the national squad, alongside another in the wider group, is a fantastic outcome for our region”.

Tamariki adds, “We haven’t seen that type of representation often, but as a union, it’s the type of level that that we aspire to produce consistently. It speaks volumes about the current state of our Pathways system, our relationships with key Pathway stakeholders such as the Highlanders and NZR, but most importantly, it is the excellent work being done by our own Pathways team, along with a high level of engagement from those young talented athletes who are taking the opportunities that we are putting in front of them”.

The squad and wider training group will assemble in Wellington later this month for a week-long camp before departing for South Africa. The New Zealand U20s open their campaign against Australia on April 27th at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Article added: Thursday 02 April 2026