HS Top 200’s Top 5 No.8’s for 2018

1. Liam Udy-Johns (Hastings BHS) 

I think this is going to be another year of Hastings BHS No.8 being in the NZSS “Black Jersey”. Over the past few years we have seen 2 become NZSS players and I think Liam is going to be the next one up for that honour. Liam is a very balanced player that plays his position and controls the role which puts the team in a great position. He has a good running game which he uses and can be used in different parts of the field and always makes a difference. He tackles and is quick to his feet, because of his height he is a very good option at line out time to add to it. Now Liam has been in the 1st XV “a Minute”(Slang for a long time) now and has racked up a lot of games and has been right to the end of the season twice coming away as a runner up and then taking home the Trophy the next year. He knows the hard work needed to put into this and also knows how to lead and he’s going to “Show Out” this year and give a year to remember.

2. Terrell Peita (MAGS)

Terrell is a “Power House” No.8 that plays a game that is a “Run it Straight” attitude and he just runs through tackles. He has such an effective running game that if you work it right and play to his strengths you can make big breaks down the field with open gaps every 5-6 phases using his draw power. I think he would make a great No.8 for any team and from last years performance and growth with the Maori Team he is “Fit to Go” right now. There is no secret to the MAGS game plan that is get him the ball as much as you can and they know that too. Ok that’s cool and all, but can you stop it though? It’s going to take full commitment from a team to make sure that he doesn’t get to much open spaces and dealing with his overall strength, his explosive speed off the spot, his fend and just the constant shoulder hits, everyone better be ready.

3. Tyler Laubscher (Palmerston North BHS) 

Standing as the tallest No.8 in the country, I think that Tyler has that leverage over the others that I have in this Top 5. Tyler can play different styles and fits in so many systems because of his height for one being 6’6 – 6’7, then there is the fact that he is strong and very aggressive in the tackle, he is a very fit players with a high IQ on the field. I think Tyler will Rank as one of the best defenders in the country in any position, he likes to get out in the open and make the read and make the right kind of tackle, he can read formations before his head goes into the scrums so he’s ready, and ball in hand makes some really good runs down the field. It’s also very obvious that he would go great in the line outs and could both lift and be lifted, which makes combo’s in the line out harder to read. I think that if Tyler does not get picked as a No.8 he’ll maybe get picked to go Blind Side, which he could be the best in the country in that position.

4. Corban Harding (Christchurch BHS)

Not a stranger to the spotlight already being selected last year to the U18 Crusaders Team. Corban does not however stand out in the game and nor does he stand over 6’4 like the rest on this list, so he is some what the odd one out. I see Corban as that player that you dont see all game, and then he is subbed off and you think nothing of it, and out of no where you start to struggle. The forwards dont seem to winning their own ball, rucks aren’t clean, running game is being stopped behind the line of scrimmage and the only thing that you can think of is that Corban just left the field. He does all that for you, he makes those extra tackles, that extra clean out of a person who is still fighting to get to the ball and makes meters when the ball is in his hands. This year again Corban will be the go to guys for the forwards and I hope he’s in great condition because he’ll be playing a lot of full games this year.

5. Tuki Simpkins (Rotorua BHS) Y12

He will most likely take the No.1 Top 100 Year 12 spot again this year and continuing his strong momentum from his 1st XV season and then onto his strong League season too. Tuki is a “Freak” the Giannis Antetokounmpo of 1st XV Rugby. He is young but man he can do some real crazy stuff on the field for such a young dude. I think that as the year goes on and he keeps growing I think that he’ll be similar to Nelson Asofa-Solomona. He’ll be this 6’7-6’8, real mobile, strong, tough and aggressive Lock that runs like a 2nd 5/8 and can chase players like a Winger. I sure we will see him plenty this year and so I’m real keen to see how he turns out and how much highlights he can make this year. Tuki is the truth and a Star on the come up and so everyone take note of his name and the path he chooses for himself in the future cause either way he’ll be something special.

Luke Russell (Napier BHS)
Luca Sciarone (Rosmini College)
Leroy Ferguson (John McGlashan College) Y12
Sila Titiuti (St Kentigern College)
Keelan Whitman (St Patrick’s College, Town)
Jaydn Holdaway (Marlborough BC)