Northland Club 7s

[Steven Harris]

Attended the Northland club 7s held at the Dargaville Rugby Club today..
This tournament was on the back of the Awanui 7s held last Saturday which was incidentally taken out by Kaitaia who defeated Awanui in the championship final.

However on this occasion it was Kamo who triumphed beating a plucky KeriKeri outfit in a keenly contested final.
Kamo featured 3 Northland Mitre 10 cup players , Blake Hohaia, Tamati Tua and Mac Sykes..Sykes especially was superb throughout the whole day and Tua got better as the day went along..
For Kerikeri who featured many youngsters including a very young 15 year old openside flanker who had no fear ,there very best throughout the day was Mitchell Miller who has played in the Northland Dev squad.

In the Bowl final, Hikurangi held on to beat Horahora ,
Hikurangi also featured a group of youngsters but were well led by former Northland halfback Kurt Davies..who impressed with his strength and pace
Doug te Puni for Horahora stood out with his pace, the kid is electric when given space..

Many of the teams had there moments..
Osea Qamasea from Awanui was in my opinion the best player in the tournament, this guy literally gased every body on the outside when given a chance ,this boy is swift..

There was another Fijian boy who goes by the name of Aisea Tuifeleaki .played for the Northland 19s this year..he’s a serious unit..
I suspect he is going to be named in the Northland 7s squad..

Also playing for Kaitaia ,Thomas Anderson ,plays number 8 in XVs..this kid stands around 6’2 ,he is rugged...
Just fitness may count against him.
Theo Van der Mei the teenager out of Kaitaia college looked classy..
There was another Fijian boy who goes by the name of Isia..played for the Northland 19s this year..he’s a serious unit..
Bodene Davis from Kaikohe, Looked really classy in a struggling team ,but did not feature in the afternoon after picking up an injury

Brady Rush (son of )from Kaeo looks all class.,pace vision and time on ball ,very tall rangy athlete..

Whangarei Boys High also entered the tournament..
I was very impressed with the size of their athletes ,but it was their smallest player Max Brunker ,this kid who plays fullback is being compared to DMac is extremely intelligent ,searingly quick and courageous, not shy to put his body on the line and tackle much bigger players,
Had a quick word to Max, he has signed a one year deal with Taranaki ..he hopes to play for the Taniwha in the future.

Another kid that impressed me was Josh Beehre..tall and rangy,but extremely skilful and physical , Josh normally plays lock or 6 , has been signed to a scholarship with Hastings Boys for 2020...bugger..!

Another lad that plays for Whangarei Boys High outstanding Number 8 Jordon Dwight who looks like he could be someone really special has transfered to Dunedin to attend Otago University..apparently Blues HP Manager Tony Hanks was waxing lyrical about Jordon that he could be the next big thing..so good he ends up in Dunedin ...go figure...!