The Hurricanes always have so much talent that it is hard to find the best possible team with so many combo’s that you could go with and find the perfect side. I have nailed it down to a 23 that in this Pre Season selection Im pretty confident they could get the work done. What I also noticed is how many young players in this Region are coming through and the many Year 12’s or Young Year 13’s there are that will be Super Stars next year, but here are my Pre Season Hurricane selections.
Billy Priestly was one of the first I put on the list as I went through it all, as a player purely he just has that mindset of lets just get it done. I like his overall game and physicallity as well which you need when you play that high percentage close to the ball. He keeps his side in the game and on their toes in a way that he’ll do what needs to be done and the rest follow through. I also had Tyrone Thompson from Napier and in this team we could be looking at both NZSS Hookers coming from this Region, both players are just top talent when it comes to the position and dominance on the field. I went with some huge Props that I feel are set for a big year and are on the way to proving their talent to selectors and hopefully get that bump up to the U18 Hurricanes. Two young Props I want to talk about Jayden Walker and Jordan McFarlane, big boys with big talent and I think could find their way onto the radar early. They play a very strong tight game that helps them to get the ball into their hands more and gain meters for their teams around the rucks. They can play maybe just inside 1st 5/8 where I think they would be most effective, they both scrum strong and have good feet and balance in adjust weight on the push. We have 2 years of watching these two and so I think they should both be players to keep an eye on. Luke Chislom and Gus Robertson are going to be the main Props I look to because they have had some good years in the 1st XV and have really stepped up from last year. Gus you will never see do massive runs or big time line breaks because hes the unseen hero that cleans up mess and stays behind to make sure of ball safety and support, a guy every team needs. Luke a big boy that you cant miss when hes out there and he does make some big runs but is not lazy to make tackles and also show urgency to make rucks, I would pick Luke to have a very strong year for Stream.
James Bolton I personally think was an easy move to make as a Lock selection because he fits everything that you need and puts in the hard work. So James I think is one of the main Locks this year and so I put along side him Neyla Massima from SIlverstream, he is long range player that can run the field, support on line breaks, can catch and pass on the run and wont mess it up and he puts in the hard work on defence and rucks. Donovan Mataira I selected because he has a great knowledge of the game and being a leader but is not tall enough for the Locks position at Rep time but I would have him at Lock and Blind Side cover because he is to important to a team to be left off. Donovan changes games with the plays he makes and the example he is on the field with going the extra mile kind of thing, I think he is going to be an out right leader for Hastings BHS this year and important to their success. I think as a whole this Loose trio group has got to be the most talented in the country and the other would find it hard to match them player for player. Tyler Laubscher I selected as my Blind Side and he is at least 6’6-6’7 right now, Josh Southall the best 7 we have in the country and returning NZSS player, Liam Udy-John who is also 6’5-6’6 and a player I highly rate as maybe the best No.8 in the country and the Dylan Hall who could be the 2nd best Openside in the country and all 4 in this one team and I think all 4 have a chance at making NZSS this year. They have height, fitness, technique, leadership, determination and all play high level minutes and just play as specialist in their positions. Again I dont know what combo you can put together that would be better then these 4 as one, standing alone they are the best in the country and putting them altogether is just to much talent.
I think this year for the Halfbacks Ish Perkins is going to be one of the strongest players out there and could push the others for that higher honors. Ish plays with speed and a lot of energy that become contagious through out the team. He plays a high volume of ball movement through rucks until he finds the right gaps to hit and is very quick off just a few steps. Steven Va’a maybe a strange pick but I think he fits very well and plays a great style of rugby. He is the type that can push a team and get them moving, he is strong on defence and because of his quickness can get around to rucks and keep momentum and pressure moving. Stewart Cruden bring a real high level of IQ and control over a game. He can really put teams on the back foot and pressure them to make mistakes which leads to turnovers. I felt Stewart was underappreciated last year with the way he played and how he helped his team come back after losses, I think he has leadership qualities that no one seems to want to address. Jordan Thompson-Dunn is a threat just being on the field and his reputation as a “Baller” reigns true so take note the next time you watch him. Jordan is a utility Back in my eyes and for me does his best work as a 1st-2nd 5/8, because of his size he does really push defences to press up on him a lot more with fear of him breaking the line, seeing his passing game makes you then think “I cant push up to much just in case I get beat by the pass”. Then you see his foot work and change of direction and then you kind of dont know where to go after that happens. I actually see Jordan having a massive year and wouldn’t be surprised if he does get the early call up to the NZSS this year if he has that strong year.
I really like Josiah Marakau because of the way he carried himself on the field and seeing him last year make Hayze Perham really work last year you know he’s going to be even more of a handle. Josiah to me is NZSS level right now and is right up there with the best and could push his way into the Top 5 players in the country. Jaylen Tuapola is a beast and so very talented with the ball in hand and I think if you want to watch highlight after highlight his mix would be the most impressive, might make a push at being better Etene Nanai’s highlight clips. When you have a player like Jaylen getting him the ball is the most important and then just supporting him and making sure your ready to get the ball when he makes that break. Having a “Back 3” like this is just the best because all 3 can really show out and run the field for a try. Roderick Solo showed his skills at 7’s and made everyone see what will happen this year if you down run him down. Gideon Kautai has been apart of a winning culture for the past 3 years and knows what is needed to win and his speed and rugby IQ is sky high so get him the ball. Drew is one of the best Fullbacks right now and I would really like to see him, Gideon and Roderick run the ball back wave after wave because their is going to be to much speed and to much foot work that hole will open quick. I really like this Ben Kelt because of his 100 FIRE attitude he puts into his games. He ca play multiple positions, cane run, catch and pass, gets the ball to the right players and knows how to carry a team to the “W”. I think he’ll fit in at 1st 5/8 of Fullback with talent like this all running the field.
1. Luke Chisolm (St Patricks Silverstream)
2. Billy Priestly (Gisborne BHS) (VC)
3. Gus Robertson (Palmerston North BHS)
4. James Bolton (Feilding HS)
5. Neyla Massima (St Patricks Silverstream)
6. Tyler Laubscher (Palmerston North BHS)
7. Josh Southall (St Patricks Silverstream)
8. Liam Udy-Johns (Hastings BHS)
9. Ishmael Perkins (Wellington College)
10. Stewart Cruden (Palmerston North BHS)
11. Roderick Solo (Scots College)
12. Josiah Marakau (Feilding HS) (C)
13. Jaylen Tuapola (Scots College)
14. Gideon Kautai (Hastings BHS)
15. Drew Wild (Feilding HS)
16. Jordan McFarlane (Gisborne BHS)
17. Jayden Walker (Napier BHS)
18. Tyrone Thompson (Napier BHS)
19. Donovan Mataira (Hastings BHS)
20. Dylan Hall (Gisborne BHS)
21. Steven Va’a (Rongotai College)
22. Jordan Thompson-Dunn (Hastings BHS)
23. Ben Kelt (Wanganui Collegiate)
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