1. Alexander McRobbie (St Kentigern College)
I have Alex McRobbie ahead of Simon Parker on this Rankings because when it comes to the NZSS selection I really dont know what they see Simon as in terms of position. I do however think that as a pure Lock Alex is the one that you want as the main lock. Alex has a very wide range of skills because he is very fit, mobile and agile he fits a lot of systems you will want to run and he’ll make it better. Watching him over the last two years and seeing him being apart of different Rep groups he usually stands out amounts them all and it has nothing to do with his height. This is going to be a big year for Alex and I think if it goes well he should definitely be rewarded with the NZSS call up.
2. Simon Parker (St Peters School)
Having Simon at the No.2 spot is purely because of selection trouble and not really being sure of where they want him to play and what they want to do with him. I see Simon as a Cullen Grace from Timaru BHS last year or a Sam Dickson Otago BHS a few years back but they all play the same kind of way and made NZSS. Simon a tall-ish kind of player that gets into his work and makes things happen. I see him as a no nonsense player that can tackle, run the ball, clean out players, support runners, jump and lift in the line outs, just everything but he’s an under sized Lock and kind of perfect as a Blind Side flanker and then a Lock cover. St Peters School have another Barbarian player ready to make that next step and I cant imagine him not in the “Black Jersey” at the end of the year.
3. James Bolton (Feilding HS)
James Bolton should be on the radar of the selectors this year and with his strong finish last year I think he is ready to make that next step. He reminds me of a Paul Tito and Liaki Moli kind of mix because he isn’t overly tall but should pass the height check if he grew a bit over the summer, but he plays very aggressively but is also controlled at the same time. The pressure he puts on at line out time is hard to break because he can beat you off the jump and get right in your way that Hookers try to change their “Throwing Style”. I like his tight game that he plays and can also gain enough speed to chase down midfielders and wingers if given the angle.
4. Sam Darry (Christ College)
If Sam has grown some more over the summer he could be one of the tallest players in the country both 1st XV and Super Rugby. Sam I was told last year was 6’7 almost 6’8 and if he got those last little growth spurts we could be looking at a real player here in the next 2 years once he hits U20. Body weight is probably the weakest thing about his game and that’s why I make reference to the U20 being his shot. Sam will be like another St Peters School player Sam Caird who didn’t make NZSS but made NZ U20 because he just had to grow into his body and have that battle of body growing and fitting his talent to it. Sam has the skill set that is not the problem at all its the time. Even though he might not make NZSS this year he will still be one of the Top Locks this year and a Lock of the future.
5. Tomislav Baker (MAGS)
Another big boy heavy Lock that I think can make some real noise and damage not just in the 1A for MAGS but Nationally as well. Tom plays a very physical game which can really change things at break downs and tackle ball when he puts those feelings to work. He can run the ball, jump in the line outs, make tackles and clean out players but for me it’s the energy around the field that makes him stand out. As an older player in the team that has “Clocked” up his hours of experience in the 1st XV system he’s going to need to be vocal, be an example of hard work and also be in his team mates faces when they need a “lift me up”. Tomislav has a great shot at making NZSS and his hard work and dedication will take him through.
Mahonri Ngakuru (St Kentigern College)
Sione Ki-Nuia (Gisborne BHS)
Tim Fifita (Dilworth School)
TK Howden (Feilding HS)
Josh Lord (Hamilton BHS)
Semisi Paea (Rotorua BHS)
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