NZR Unveils Enhanced U18 Pathways Programme and 2026 Coaching Panels

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced a revamp of its schools and Under-18 Pathways Programme, alongside the appointment of coaching groups for the New Zealand Secondary Schools and NZ Barbarians U18 squads for the 2026/27 cycle.

The initiative is will focus on the better alignment between high-performance requirements and player wellbeing. The revamped programme will expose more than 75 players to the national high-performance environment through three distinct squads: NZ Schools, NZ Barbarians, and the Māori U18 Whatukura.

Elite Coaching Appointments

National Pathways head coach, Kane Jury, noted that for many selected athletes, this will be their “first experience of a national team environment,” emphasising the dual goal of developing them as both “players and people.”

The coaching panels feature a strategic mix of professional experience and school-based mentorship, ensuring the transition into the high-performance system is grounded in educational values.

New Zealand Secondary Schools 2026/27

• Head Coach: Kane Jury (NZR National Pathways Head Coach)
• Assistant Coach: Scott Manson (Otago Boys’ High School)
• Assistant Coach: Tui Raeli (Marlborough Boys’ College)

New Zealand Barbarians U18 2026/27

• Head Coach: Greg Feek (Former All Black and current Blues Assistant)
• Assistant Coach: Tasesa Lavea (Saint Kentigern College)
• Assistant Coach: Matt Howling (Kelston Boys’ High School)

Refined Selection and Development Process

Spokesperson for the NZ Schools Rugby Board, Richard Hall, praised the inclusion of current teachers in the coaching ranks, stating the group possesses the necessary skills to both “coach and mentor” the selected boys.

The 2026 selection process has been modernised through a centrally managed online nomination and talent identification platform shared across all Provincial Union academies and Super Rugby clubs.

Key components of the development cycle include:

• Provincial Union Development Camps: Two-day camps held during the July school holidays to educate and assess nominated players.
• School and Club Collaboration: Alignment between NZR and the NZ Schools Rugby Board to ensure school commitments and player wellbeing are prioritised.

2026 International Match Schedule

The programme culminates in an intensive tournament week starting in late September, featuring international representative sides from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Australia.

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