2023 U19 Representative Rugby
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Although I've lost hope the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament will be revived, I think this is an interesting age grade to keep an eye on, in case there will be another NZ U19 tour, later in the year.
Posted on Otago's FB page, two days ago:
About 60% of these players were educated in the Highlanders catchment area.
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As a Hawke's Bay man @Stargazer what do you know about Aone Lolofie. Have read a hit that he has a fair bit of talent.
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@SouthernMann Yes, he was a really good prop, already in the Hastings Boys' U15 squad in 2019 and obviously at 1st XV level. Not sure whether he still played at prop in 2022 (Hastings Boys' didn't publish team line-ups, last year), because he played at hooker for NZ Schools.
For Hastings Boys, he was a certain starter. He made the Hurricanes U18s in 2021 and 2022. He also played for the Highlanders U20, this year, but not getting as many minutes, being Jack Taylor's back-up on the bench. So I assume he's in that U19 group as a hooker, but should be able to shift to LH, if needed.
To be honest, I'm pretty gutted that we lost several players to Otago. Aone Lolofie and Gus Brown (lured to Canterbury), would have formed a great combo in our Academy's frontrow. And then, obviously Max Ratcliffe and Cory Berkett are great losses as well.
