Two Otago Players Named in NZ U17 Development Squad

Two Otago Players Named in NZ U17 Development Squad

Two Otago players have been named in the New Zealand Under 17 Development Squad.  Michael Collins (Otago Boys High) and Nathan Hull (John McGlashan College) were named by the selection panel yesterday.

New Zealand Schools Coach Karl Jones and his Assistant Coach Andrew Douglas have named the New Zealand Schools squad for 2010 following the annual top four 1st XV rugby tournament in Rotorua. Mt Albert Grammar School won the tournament beating Hamilton Boys’ High School 20-17 in the final this afternoon.

The 24-strong squad was selected from school 1st XV teams around the country and through the season, four regional camps, and a regional tournament in July.

Four members of the 2009 New Zealand Schools side that toured Australia last year have been picked into this year’s squad which will play Tonga, Otago Under 19 and Australia.

Coach Jones said selecting the squad was tough this year due to the number of talented players in the running.

“New Zealand’s rugby stocks are looking very healthy and we are extremely lucky to have such a high calibre of players from which to select.

“There has been some spectacular rugby on show this season and we think the squad selected will be very competitive against the teams we will come up against on this tour,” he added.

The New Zealand Schools team will assemble on 22 September and play against Tonga Schools in Hamilton on 27 September, and against Otago Under 19 in Dunedin on 1 October. They will also play a one-off international against Australia Schools in Dunedin 6 October.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Rugby Union also announced the New Zealand Under 17 development squad today.


The 2010 New Zealand Schools squad:
Fraser Armstrong (Hamilton Boys’ High School), Adam Burn (Hamilton Boys’ High School), Scott Eade (Southland Boys’ High School), Jason Emery (Palmerston North Boys’ High School), Michael Fatialofa (Mt Albert Grammar School), Siulogo Fotofili (Wesley College), Michael Gardner (St Bede’s College), Bryn Hall (St Peter’s College), Jacob Heenan (Whanagrei Boys’ High School), Doug Horrocks (Fielding High School), Milford Keresoma (Mt Albert Grammar School), Joe Latta (Wellington College), James Lowe (Nelson College), Matt McGahan (Mt Albert Grammar School), Albert Nikoro (Mt Albert Grammar School), Ope Peleseuma (St Patrick’s College - Silverstream), TJ Perenara (Mana College), Matt Proctor (St Patrick’s College - Town), Tuki Raimona (Southland Boys’ High School), Nick Ross (Hamilton Boys’ High School), Topou Sapoaga (Wellington College), Gafatasi Su’a (Mt Albert Grammar School), Ofa Tuungafasi (Mangere College), Junior Tofa Va’a (Kelston Boys’ High School)

New Zealand Schools key dates
22 September: Assemble in Cambridge, Hamilton
27 September: New Zealand Schools v Tonga, Hamilton
1 October: New Zealand Schools v Otago Under 19, Dunedin
6 October: New Zealand Schools v Australia, Dunedin

New Zealand Under 17 Development Squad
Alex Hodgman (Mt. Albert Grammar), Dillian Haloholo (Mt. Albert Grammar), C.J.Carsons (Reperoa College), Sean Brookman (Mt Albert Grammar), Patrick Tu'ipulotu (St. Peters’ College), Jackson Hemopo (Palmerston Boys’ High), Joe Edwards (St. Kentigan’s College), Jacob Skeen (Hamilton Boys’ High), Sonny Aliifaalogo (Wesley College), Adam Burn (Hamilton Boys’ High), Mitchell Brown (New Plymouth Boys High School), Matthew Elia (St Thomas of Canterbury College), David Adams (Auckland Grammar), Eugene Teauraki (St. Peter’s College), Matthew Axtens (Reporoa College), Ardie Savea (Rongotai College), Sam Quinn (Westlake Boys’ High School), Nathan Hull (John McGlashan College), Morgan Mitchell (Gore High School), Matt McGahan (Mount. Albert Grammar), Wharenui Hawera (St. Peters College), Calvary Fonoti (Onehunga High), Jade Te Rure (Palmerston Boys High), Michael Collins (Otago Boys High), Tamati Samuels (Gisborne Boys High), Beaudine Waaka (Gisborne Boys High), Ngani Laumape (Palmerston Boys High), Jordan Payne (Sacred Heart College), Jason Emery (Palmerston Boys High), Shayne Anderson (St Bede’s College), Aviata Silago (St Patrick’s - Silverstream), Penekolo Latu (Gisborne Boys High), Joseph Weber (Hamilton Boys High), Manihera Eden (Napier Boys High), Tauasosi Tuiamavave (St Patrick’s College - Town)