The New Zealand national under-20 rugby union team, nicknamed the Baby Blacks, is the representative rugby union team from New Zealand. It replaced the two former age grade teams, the under-19s and the under-21s. Their first tournament was the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship, which they won after defeating England (38âÂÂ3) in the final. They have gone on to also win the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2017. The New Zealand under-20s have been nicknamed the "Baby Blacks" after the youthful All Blacks side which played in 1986.
Summary of all matches played by the New Zealand Under-20s as of 19 July 2025
On 27 May, 2025, a 30-player squad was announced for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
Non-travelling reserves
Dylan Eti, Harry Irving, Raharuhi Palmer, Aio Keith, Mika Muliaina, Taniela Maisiri, Riley Tofilau, Ollie Burra, David Lewai, Randall Baker, Israel Time
The following New Zealand U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:
Due to the U20 category only existing since the combining of the U19 and U21 age groups in 2007, the following table only includes coaches appointed since. In the inaugural tournament in 2008, Dave Rennie and Russell Hilton-Jones served as co-coaches in charge of the team. Craig Philpott is the longest serving coach. Jarrad Hoeata and Alex Robertson are the current co-head coaches.
Updated to: 19 July 2025