2018 New Zealand Schools
-
@stargazer How long has he been in NZ for?
-
NZ Maori U18 beat NZ Barbarians Schools: 21 - 20
The New Zealand Maori Under-18 have edged the New Zealand Barbarian Schools 21-20 at Jerry Collins Stadium, Wellington this afternoon. Down 20-14 with about five minutes remaining the Maori strung together at least a dozen phases, eventually breaching the defence when reserve flanker Taylor Dale (Otago Boys’ High School) muscled over close to the posts. The conversion by Bailey Gordon (Western Heights High School) reclaimed the lead for a spirited Maori outfit who were worthy victors. The winning try was very much a metaphor for most of the game. It wasn’t a spectacular moment, instead a showcase of attrition and patience from a superior Maori pack. Initially excitement levels were high with Maori wing Ruben Love (Palmerston North Boys’ High School) poaching an intercept and dashing 40-metres in the opening minute. The Maori had a device edge at scrum time, but both teams made a bundle of errors as the spectacle failed to soar to great heights. Barbarians wing Caleb Cavubati (Scots College) scored out wide to close the deficit to 7-5, but a try to openside Oliver Parkinson (Auckland Grammar School) gave the Maori a 14-5 advantage at halftime.The Barbarians enjoyed the majority of possession at the start of the second-half and two missed tackles saw openside Noah Perelini (King's College) scamper away for a converted try to make it 14-12. Barbarians captain Corey Evans (Auckland Grammar School) put his side ahead when he kicked a penalty at the 22, but another handy shot was wayward and ultimately costly. Substitute props Chris Hemi (St Patrick’s College, Silverstream) and Junior Uelese (Scots College) provided plenty of punch with ball in hand and the latter rumbled over to make it 20-14. The Maori generally played with more passion and ambition against the strangely cautious Barbarians. Front rowers Jayden Walker (Napier Boys’ High School), Bill Priestley (Gisborne Boys’ High School) and Niko Manaena (Southland Boys’ High School) derserve acclaim for their efforts while No.8 and captain Terell Peita was powerful. For the Barbarians King’s duo Perelini and centre Lukas Halls were threatening. ​ The Barbarians next fixture is at the same venue against the Fijian Schools on Monday while the Maori appear again on Friday also against Fiji..
Highlights:
-
@bovidae and 2 of them have signed with the crusaders academy. Haha
-
Stargazer said:
The commentators keep on repeating that Gideon Wrampling, who just scored a try, is from Brisbane. Maybe it was already mentioned in the thread (I can't remember), but is he a Kiwi boy (NZ born or NZ parents) coming back to NZ or is he an Aussie who came to NZ to improve his game, only to ply his trade for Oz later?
Not sure of his background.
The commentators also mentioned that reserve prop Tiaan Tauakipulu is also from Brisbane.
-
Bovidae said:
Stargazer said:
The commentators keep on repeating that Gideon Wrampling, who just scored a try, is from Brisbane. Maybe it was already mentioned in the thread (I can't remember), but is he a Kiwi boy (NZ born or NZ parents) coming back to NZ or is he an Aussie who came to NZ to improve his game, only to ply his trade for Oz later?
Not sure of his background.
The commentators also mentioned that reserve prop Tiaan Tauakipulu is also from Brisbane.
Before discovering the German in our team I would have assumed all players would have to be NZ eligible to make this team. Isn't a hardline stance taken of not selecting players who have signed for league clubs?
There's a good chance that both the guys from Brisbane are actually Kiwis though.
-
chchfanatic said:
@bovidae and 2 of them have signed with the crusaders academy. Haha
Who is the other prop? Williams played for the Crusaders U18s vs the Chiefs U18s in the game I watched. I actually don't remember him, which is surprising as he stands out.
Interestingly, the NZS fullback today only came off the bench for the Chiefs U18s. He made plenty of those incisive runs in that game too.
-
Eligibility is different, i think it's because at u20s international laws apply for residency so 3/5 year stand down. It changed I believe a few years ago, before that I think you had to be a resident as I'm sure that's why Waisake Naholo never played schools. At schools there is no international WC like 20s so possibly why.
