2018 New Zealand Schools
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Just noticing that of the 53 players invited to camp, 26 have been selected for NZ Schools, and only 23 for NZ Barbarians Schools. Which means that 4 players have not been selected at all. One of them is flanker Liam Udy-Johns from Hastings BHS. I haven't checked who the other three are. I'd be interested to know why these four players are not in the Barbarians squad. 23 players doesn't seem enough for two games, with the risk of injuries. Are they injured? Not wanted? Or maybe just a mistake in copying the list to the website (wouldn't be the first time on this website)?
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@stargazer Just commenting that official lists of squads in alphabetical order isn't helpful if you aren't familiar with the players.
I have seen most of the Chiefs region players play so know about them but not those from the SI or Auckland/Wellington.
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Front row. Tamati Williams, Saula Mau, Tyrone Thompson.
Looks strong front row, Thompson been in great form this year, Williams was NZ Schools last year, Mau Barbarians. Thacker in rotation was barbarians last year also.
Locks
Good to see some timber but also ball runners/players. Darry and Lord will start, both 2m plus easy. They went head-to-head when chiefs-crusaders played earlier in year. Darry is someone I have seen since he was 13, thought then he could be AB in future. pretty sure his mum is ABs nutritionist.Loosies
Jones future is at 7, plays like dad but will interesting to see if he plays there for this team. Have seen a lot of Segner, year 12 here on scholarship from Germany (interesting) 6,3 100kg hard man. Parker should start at 6.
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Funaki is a runner and the incumbent form last year with Chapman backing him up unless they want the passing ability of Chapman10
Reihana the incumbent from last year also.Midfield
Punivai - Incumbent fro last year, better than his older brother should be teamed with Maraku who is a bit of a weaponnot actually sure of back three, haven't seen much of these guys but should be interesting. Might be proven wrong in long term but think this is one of the better tight 5s I have seen from schools with an establish 9-13 combo. should go ok.
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St Kentigans have, by my quick count, eight players in the two squads listed above. There must be a lot of hand wringing and finger pointing going on amongst their officials as to why they were unable to win the 1As given their riches in talent available to them. There might be a number of rival 1st XV coaches looking nervously at their penciled in squads for next season to see if there are going to be any late defections/unavailabilities.
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98blueandgold said:
Locks
Good to see some timber but also ball runners/players. Darry and Lord will start, both 2m plus easy. They went head-to-head when chiefs-crusaders played earlier in year.I was at that game. I didn't think Darry looked that tall next to Lord. Neither Chiefs hooker could find their target which didn't help. Tom Martin was the other Chiefs lock although better suited to 6 as he isn't as tall as the others.
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Higgins said:
St Kentigans have, by my quick count, eight players in the two squads listed above. There must be a lot of hand wringing and finger pointing going on amongst their officials as to why they were unable to win the 1As given their riches in talent available to them. There might be a number of rival 1st XV coaches looking nervously at their penciled in squads for next season to see if there are going to be any late defections/unavailabilities.
The team they lost to went on to win the Nationals. Just goes to show how tough the Auckland 1A comp is.
Also, how the hell are Auckland getting all these first fives into the NZ Schools team? I thought we only produced loosies and outside backs.
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@bovidae gauranteed he is, lord must just be even taller!!
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@98blueandgold Just an observation, but obviously not a fact.
So who is the likely captain of the NZ Schools. It should be one of the U18 captains. For the Chiefs, the co-captains were Reihana and Parker. What about the other 4 teams?
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Prob Reihana I think
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@higgins at least 3 of them have signed with the crusaders too.
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I know punivai is definitely from chch. I donât think the other 2 are though.
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New Zealand Schools team to play Tonga Schools (Brisbane, 4pm NZT):
1 Tamaiti Williams (St Kentigern College)
2 Soane Vikena (Mt Albert Grammar School)
3 Saula Mau (Auckland Grammar School)
4 Thomas Martin (Hamilton Boys' High)
5 Josh Lord (Hamilton Boys' High)
6 Iona Apineru (St Partick's College - Silverstream) - vice-captain
7 Anton Segner (Nelson College)
8 Niko Jones (St Peter's College)
9 Taufa Funaki (Sacred Heart College)
10 Rivez Reihana (St Kentigern College) - vice-captain
11 Josiah Maraku Feilding (Agricultural High School)
12 Gideon Wrampling (St Paul's Collegiate)
13 Isaiah Punivai (St Kentigern College) - captain
14 Ethan Webster-Nonu (Scots College)
15 Blair Murray (New Plymouth Boys' High School)16 Tyrone Thompson (Napier Boys' High School)
17 Matt Graham-Williams (St Kentigern College)
18 Tiaan Tauakipulu (St Kentigern College)
19 Simon Parker (St Peter's School)
20 George Prain (Rangiora High School)
21 Louie Chapman (Christchurch Boys' High School)
22 Zarn Sullivan (King's College)
23 Chay Fihaki (Sacred Heart College) -
New Zealand Barbarians Schools team to play NZ MÄori U18 (2.00pm NZT at Porirua Park, Porirua):
1 Poukohe Sorenson (Rotorua Boysâ High School)
2 Arther Allen (Christ's College)
3 Patrick Teddy (Napier Boys' High School)
4 Robert Rush (St Kentigern College)
5 Zachary Gallagher (Christ's College)
6 Samuel Smith (Wairarapa College)
7 Noah Perelini (King's College)
8 Keelan Whitman (St Patrick's College)
9 James Arscott (Otago Boys' High School)
10 Stewart Cruden (Palmerston North Boys' High School)
11 Caleb Cavubati (Scots College)
12 Corey Evans (Auckland Grammar School)
13 Lukas Halls (King's College)
14 Roderick Solo (Scots College)
15 Peniasi Lasaqa (St Kentigern College)16 Jacob Payne (Southland Boys' High School)
17 Benet Kumeroa (Auckland Grammar School)
18 Ovaleni Uelese (Scots College)
19 Mahonri Ngakuru (St Kentigern College)
20 Joshua Gimblett (Napier Boys' High School)
21 Kristian Standen (New Plymouth Boys' High School)
22 Tahu Kaa (Christchurch Boys' High School)
23 Ropati So'oalo (Aotea College) -
Hard to know if that is considered the best NZS team or just the first step in giving every player a game before the Aust test.
@Stargazer Are these games live streamed?
