2021 NZ Schools
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@stargazer said in 2021 NZ Schools:
@bovidae Talking about camps. Exactly as I feared, the NZ Schools teams have again been named before the regional camps. So whatever happens in camp won't make a difference at all for NZ Schools.
saw that two. not that it will make much difference to there careers but i did laugh
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Interesting bits of that media release that some may have missed:
The Barbarian Under 18 criteria has changed in 2021 from a schoolboy’s team to Under 18, having the potential to capture players who may have missed out on representative opportunities during a fragmented season in 2020, Fisher acknowledged the New Zealand Barbarian Club for their ongoing support of schools rugby.
I assume this means that the "players who may have missed out" are all in the NZ Schools team, because they'd be the older players?
The coaches:The New Zealand Schools team is headed by the Hurricanes’ Chris Gibbes, with Gus Leger (Sacred Heart, Auckland) and Tyler Bleyendaal (Hurricanes) completing the coaching team. Fresh from leading the Black Ferns Sevens to gold in Tokyo, Allan Bunting will coach the Barbarian team, with assistant coaches Ryan Bambry (King’s High School) and James Hantz (Auckland Grammar). Kahu Carey (Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō) will coach the Under 18 Māori team alongside Simon Kneebone and Ngatai Walker (Ngāti Porou).
The games:While travel restrictions have affected an international schedule that was hoped, all three teams will assemble for a development week and play a game of three halves. The New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarian Under 18s will play the curtain raiser to a Bunnings NPC match in Wellington on 8 October.
A further match for the New Zealand Māori Under 18 team, and the 2021 New Zealand Māori Under 18 Mareikura Girls team will be announced in due course.
That 8 October game, if they keep following the current schedule, will be Wellington v Canterbury.
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Chester Drawsreplied to Stargazer on 13 Sept 2021, 05:58 last edited by Chester Draws 13 Sept 2021, 06:00
@stargazer said in 2021 NZ Schools:
@bovidae Geez, what a disappointing selections. Only two players from Hastings Boys in NZ Schools. Cooper Flanders should definitely be there as one of the best 1st XV players in the country, but some other very good players are missing! Where's Mefi Tupou? Kaihau Pasikala? Alex Dickie? And they pick a halfback that I've hardly noticed this year. Such a strong team this year and not even a single player in the other two teams.
And also only one player from Napier Boys, promising halfback Cory Berkett. Where's Afa Moleli? Gilgal Leutele Malasia?
You'll disagree, but I think some schools, including Hamilton Boys and King's College, are overrepresented if you look at the relative strenghts of the schools and talent of players. Wellington based scouts/selectors for players from the Hurricanes region, who couldn't be bothered watching Super 8 games? Why does this keep on happening, year after year?
Pasikala may possibly still have a year to go at school, so hopefully next year!
How many of those boys are not eligible?
I sometimes wonder why a player isn't picked from my school. Until I remember he doesn't have an NZ passport or is too old.
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@chester-draws World Rugby eligibility rules don't apply to school rugby and I don't think NZR has having NZ citizenship as a requirement. Some examples:
Folau Fakatava was also selected in 2016 (Barbarians squad), his first year playing in NZ and not having a NZ passport.
Kini Naholo in 2017 NZ Schools team.
Anton Segner in 2018 and 2019.
Fabian Holland in 2020.
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@stargazer said in 2021 NZ Schools:
Interesting bits of that media release that some may have missed:
The Barbarian Under 18 criteria has changed in 2021 from a schoolboy’s team to Under 18, having the potential to capture players who may have missed out on representative opportunities during a fragmented season in 2020, Fisher acknowledged the New Zealand Barbarian Club for their ongoing support of schools rugby.
I assume this means that the "players who may have missed out" are all in the NZ Schools team, because they'd be the older players?
If you look at the team lists it will be those players with club affiliations next to their name. Most are in the Barbarians team.
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@stargazer said in 2021 NZ Schools:
@bovidae But they say they've changed the Barbarians team to "Under 18"? How can that include older players? I assumed those club players are boys who've left school at 17.
Two of the Waikato players left school last year as year 13s so must have been 17 and turning 18 this year.
I think the rules are that the players can be no older than 18 as of Jan 1 but don't have to be under 18 (i.e., 17). Maybe it is just a way to avoid players repeating year 13 to try to make these teams.
The same applies in the U20s where a player can turn 20 before the tournament but are still classified as U20 if they aren't yet 20 on the cut-off date.
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@bovidae @Stargazer. I see Payton Spencer and Essendon Tuitupou are picked. Have you seen either of them play and are they as good as their old man?
Is there any team lists by positions published anywhere? -
I've seen Payton play live a few times this year and last year. Last year he was the 1st 5 for the Hamilton BHS 2nd XV, and this year he played fullback for the 1st XV. He may stay at fullback next year (yr 13). He's taller than Carlos so probably quicker too. The full Super 8 final is available on YouTube to see him in action.
As to Tuitupou, I've only seen him on Sky in the Kelston-St Kent's game (highlights on YT), where he was playing at fullback. Again, he is a taller than Sam.
They've only named the squads at this stage but I could probably put a list by position together based on what I know.
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These are their positions to the best of my knowledge.
Austin Anderson - 2nd 5/fullback
Torian Barnes - blindside
Vernon Bason - hooker (is a converted no.8)
Tahlor Cahill - lock
Che Clarke - lock/blindside
Chicago Doyle - fullback
Esau Filimoehala - 2nd 5
Cooper Flanders - no.8
Finn Hurley - 1st 5
Isaac Hutchinson - fullback
Gage Jackson - no.8
Taha Kemara - 1st 5
Siale Lauaki - TH prop
Francis Manuleleua - 2nd 5
Matt Monaghan - lock
Sean Ralph - hooker
Gabe Robinson - TH prop
Andrew Smith - lock
Payton Spencer - fullback
Tony Tafa - LH prop
Toby Taylor - LH prop
Essendon Tuitupou - fullback/midfield
Jordi Viljoen - halfback
Riley Williams - halfback
Malachi Wrampling-Alec - no.8A couple of notes:
(1) There are quite a few year 12s in this squad, more than usual.
(2) A lot of fullbacks will end up playing on the wing, and some of the better wingers are in the Barbarians and Maori teams.
(3) No real openside selected so expect either Flanders or Jackson to play there.As I had mentioned earlier they seem to select what they consider to be their best players and then find a position for them.
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47 under 18 players have been selected to assemble in Palmerston North next month for the 2021 edition of the Hurricanes U18 Development Camp.
Representing 14 different secondary schools and 3 clubs from the Hurricanes region, as well as 2 players from out of the region who have been contacted in for 2022.I assume they mean contracted? By whom? Hurricanes development contract? Wellington, or one of the other provincial unions?
At the conclusion of the camp, two Hurricanes Under 18s teams will play the Chiefs Under 18 sides on Friday, October 15 in Taupo.
Breakdown:
15 Hawke's Bay (8 Hastings Boys', 4 Napier Boys', 2 St John's College, 1 Lindisfarne College)
13 Wellington (5 Wellington College, 3 St Patrick’s Silverstream, 2 St Patrick’s College Town, 2 Scots College, 1 Wellington FC)
9 Manawatū (5 Palmerston North Boys’, 2 Feilding HS, 1 Manukura, 1 Te Kawau RFC)
3 Poverty Bay (3 Gisborne Boys')
3 Whanganui (3 Whanganui Collegiate)
1 Horo-Kap (1 Paraparaumu RFC)
1 Wai-Bush (1 Rathkeale College)
2 contracted players (Chicago Doyle, King's College and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula , St Andrew's College)By the way, Armstrong-Ravula played for the Queensland U16s in 2019. He attended Ipswich State High School before STAC.
Oh, and Wellington College looks seriously overrepresented.
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I am surprised Scots only have 2 players in the squad. I only saw their game on Sky against St Kent's and they looked to have some quality players. The same for Lindisfarne, especially their loose forwards.
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@bovidae Hmmm, Scots were well beaten by St Kent's, King's College and Napier Boys', and only beat Gisborne by 1 point (Gisborne being very weak this year). Their match against Hastings was cancelled for some reason. I wasn't that impressed when I watched their game against Napier.
Having said that, they hammered Wellington College, who haven't even made the Wellington Premiership Final and - to my surprise - managed to get 5 players in Camp.
Edited to add:
Lindisfarne players who impressed me, and haven't been picked, are hooker Kingshouse Tupuola and lock Tom Druzianic.
From Hastings Boys I'm missing halfback Phillip King-Panapa (who started most of the season and was part of the 2019 champions team, like some of the others who have been picked) and openside James Pese. I think King-Panapa has been injured during the season, giving Jordan Viljoen an opportunity. IIRC King-Panapa was in camp, last year.
From Napier Boys' I'm missing captain Gilgal Leutele-Malasia (no. 8). I'm wondering whether he's injured. He had a great season and really impressed. In HB only behind Cooper Flanders, but very different player (big, strong and mobile). His (twin?) brother Bethel last played in July, so I assume he had a season-ending injury, which is a pity because I think for both brothers it's their last year at school. Bethel and Gilgal were both selected for the Hurricanes camp, last year. They are nephews of Neria Fomai, by the way.
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@stargazer They are selecting players irrespective of the record of the team. Why pick any GBHS players otherwise?
Scots and Wellington College were the top 2 qualifiers in their competition, so the latter must have a stronger team than in previous seasons.
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@bovidae Ah, okay, but the Wellington Premiership Final is between Scots and Silverstream. I actually think that Silverstream was a bit weaker than previous years, Wellington College not necessarily stronger.
For comparison: Napier Boys has a relatively young team and smashed all Welligton schools they played, this year.
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Blues U18:
Maliu Niuafe, William Fonohema (Aorere College);
Esau Filimoehala, Gage Jackson, Jole Naufahu, Riley Williams (Auckland Grammar);
Xavier Saifoloi, Brandon Televavae (Botany Downs College);
Lucas Payne (Dargaville High School);
Hawkin Toeava, Iain-Robert Onosi, Joseph Tunumafono-Sale, Patrick Moimoi (De La Salle College);
Damon Kitchen, Hohaia Whiu, Ofa Topeni, Sila Hifo (Dilworth School);
Max Ameke (Edgewater College);
Nathan Halliday, Riley Harrison (Howick College);
Kobe Walters (Kamo RFC);
Essendon Tuitupou, JT Pont-Bellamy, Phillip Nu’u Sulusulu, Sam Howling, Tony Tafa, Xavier Tito-Harris (Kelston Boys High School);
Lucas Casey, Toby Bell (Kerikeri High School);
Che Clark, Francis Manuleleua, Maikel Tuala (Kings College);
Declan Murphy, Divan Lourens (MacLeans College);
Ben Skelton, Ricky Reuben, Tama Anderson (Mt Albert Grammar);
Holden Tatana, Loa Latu, Siolo Alatina (Massey High School);
Agape Kaho (Onehunga High School);
Cameron Christie (Orewa College);
Josiah Unga, Kobe Kay, Nathaniel Pole, Poasa Uiese, Sione Makasini (Sacred Heart College);
Blake Paxton (Southern Rugby Club, Te Kopuru);
Xavier Taele (St Kentigern College);
Blair Tagi-Fuimaono, Etuate Fukofuka, Konrad Toleafoa, Nick Muli, Siale Faeamani, Sika Uamaki-Pole (St Peters College);
Caleb Falloon (Takapuna RFC);
Jalal Vavae, Meni Manase, Ngatokorua Kamana, Spa Visesio (Tangaroa College);
Jack Bradley (Western Sharks RFC, Dargaville);
Titera Bura, Trystan Cook (Westlake Boys High School);
Reuben Clarke (Whangaroa College).https://blues.rugby/under-18-camps-to-reach-further-into-communities/
The Blues and associated provincial unions have been forced to cancel the October holidays Blues Region Under-18 Development Camp because of the Covid pandemic.
However, it has opened up an opportunity for more young players to be included in a wider development initiative.
The Blues now plan to stage a series of three one-day camps over three weekends in November, hopefully when the region is operating back at Level 1.
Accordingly, without the significant accommodation costs of a live-in camp, the Blues can engage with a larger group of players.Dates, venues and details will be forwarded in the coming weeks.
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The big SA prop from Westlake isn't there.
Edit: Righard Snyman is his name.
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Bummer.
New Zealand Rugby has announced today changes to the 2021 Schools programme due to the inability for Auckland based players to train or play under current COVID-19 Alert Levels.
The New Zealand Schools and Barbarian Under 18s camps and matches due to be held next month have been cancelled. The New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura and Ngā Mareikura teams will now assemble in Wellington and Rotorua respectively for development camps in early October.The decision to cancel has been made due to the inability for Auckland based players to have a safe return to play programme, with the region operating under Alert Level 3 for at least the next two weeks. The camp could not be shifted to a later date as all selected will take part in the regional Super Rugby Under 18 camps the following week.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/changes-to-new-zealand-schools-programmes/
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@bovidae I wonder why the camps couldn't be held without the Auckland region players? Sure, it would have been sad for those players, but why do all other players have to miss out as well? It's a development opportunity missed! The Jock Hobbs programme has been quietly canned this year, as well.
At least the franchise camps are still going ahead, but still ...
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15 players from greater Auckland across the NZS and Baabaas squads. They would have to replace them to play the match against each other. In the too hard basket.
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Canes4lifereplied to Stargazer on 23 Sept 2021, 00:36 last edited by Canes4life 23 Sept 2021, 00:36
@stargazer I'm also really surprised that openside Sam Morgan (Silverstream) missed out, he was by far in a way their best this year. I know he's also big on his cricket so maybe he's chosen that path.
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Highlanders U18s:
Joe Cockburn (Dunstan HS)
Jacob Mika (James Hargest)
Josh Whaanga (John McGlashan College)
Mitch Morton (John McGlashan College)
Jay Davis (Kings High School)
Mahonri Auva’a (Kings High School)
Steve Salelea (Kings High School)
Asesela Ravuvu (St.Kevins College)
Lotu Fifita (Waitaki Boys High School)
Aaron Withy (Southland Boys High School)
Hunter Areaiti-Burgess (Southland Boys High School)
Jack Taylor (Southland Boys High School)
Jackson Bevin (Southland Boys High School)
Kaea Nikora-Balloch (Southland Boys High School)
Liam McIntosh (Southland Boys High School)
Richie Kuresa (Southland Boys High School)
Tom Nicholson (Southland Boys High School)
Alex McLachlan (Otago Boys High School)
Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio (Otago Boys High School)
Okusotino Peleki Tangifolau (Otago Boys High School)
Oscar Anderson (Otago Boys High School)
Semisi Tupou-Taeiloa (Otago Boys High School)
Cruz Wallace (Otago Boys High School)
Finn Hurley (Otago Boys High School)
Hopoate Finau (Otago Boys High School)
Mikaele Vaeau (Otago Boys High School)
Moana Takataka (Otago Boys High School)
Petelo Amato (Otago Boys High School)
Reuben Bouman (Otago Boys High School)
Ronan Dynes (Otago Boys High School)Players on standby:
Keegan Ferguson, Thomas Larrivee, Ryan Johnston, Kaleb Hill (John McGlashan College) Fatai Kolai (Kings High School) Lachy Moore (Mt. Aspiring College) Aaron Morrison (Otago Boys High School) Billy Andrew, Caleb Williams (Southland Boys High School) -
Games:
Friday 15 Oct 2021 - 12.30pm - Timaru
Crusaders U18 v Highlanders U18Friday 15 Oct 2021 - - Taupō
Chiefs U18 v Hurricanes U18
Does anyone know the kick-off time for the Chiefs v Hurricanes game?
Not holding my breath, but I really hope these games will be televised or livestreamed!
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Only the Hurricanes and Crusaders have thus far posted photos/clips on their social media of their U18 camps:
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@stargazer said in 2021 NZ Schools:
Only the Hurricanes and Crusaders have thus far posted photos/clips on their social media of their U18 camps:
Good to see Owen Franks at the Crusaders camps as he is back in Chch.
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Team Naming for the Crusader Junior XV taking on the Highlanders Schools! Police cars revolving light
This Friday, 15 OctKick off 12:30pm
Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru
Live on our Facebook page
Read more on the team https://bit.ly/3FF9WId
#CrusadersJuniorXV #NextGen -
I doubt that the Blues and Chiefs U18 camps have been held due to covid restrictions.
Let's see if the Chiefs are still playing the Hurricanes U18 in Turangi on Friday.
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@bovidae Yeah, Blues very unlikely; Chiefs possible but the silence on their social media is telling.
I suspect the Hurricanes will just play a Perenara XV v Coles XV game, like they do every year before playing the game against another franchise's team. It would be great if they could play the winner of Crusaders U18 v Highlanders U18, but they probably won't do that.
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I just checked on the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council website and there it says that the Hurricanes U18 v Chiefs U18 game has been cancelled.
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@stargazer I have driven past St Paul's a few times this week and nothing was happening on the rugby field. To complicate matters, even before Waikato went into L3 there were players from Auckland/CM that were due to attend the camp and wouldn't have been able to.
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taniwharugbyreplied to Stargazer on 13 Oct 2021, 19:21 last edited by taniwharugby 13 Oct 2021, 23:54
Cullen Gray and Jade Stewart (1st 5) both Northland boys...I have seen some of the work Stewart used to put in when he was 10 to 13, assume he has maintained that ethic at St Kents, and making a team like this shows hard work pays off!
His younger brother Reuben is one to watch if he keeps going, immense natural talent.
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From the Highlanders twitter:
Your Highlanders Schoolboys team to face the Crusaders Junior XV tomorrow!
Kick off 12:30pmAlpine Energy Stadium, Timaru
Live stream link HERE: https://sideline.live/play/16509
For more info Right pointing backhand index https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/
#NEXTGEN #schoolboysMedia release: https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/highlanders-schoolboys-name-team-to-face-crusaders-junior-xv/
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@stargazer said in 2021 NZ Schools:
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, the STAC player in the Hurricanes U18 camp who is there as a "contracted player", is the nephew of Richie Mo'unga.
What position does he play? And by contracted does this mean he will be back at the Crusaders next year?
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@canes4life I think "contracted" in a Hurricanes context means contracted to either the Hurricanes or Wellington. Why else would a STAC player be in the Hurricanes U18?
No idea what position he plays.
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@stargazer interesting, he looks like he's doing a box kick so maybe halfback?
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@canes4life Maybe @shark knows, as he's the one who I think follows school rugby in and around Chch? Or @chchfanatic? @Chris ?
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@canes4life said in 2021 NZ Schools:
@stargazer interesting, he looks like he's doing a box kick so maybe halfback?
Fullback in a game against Marlborough Boys where he was kicking goals too by the looks.
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