Looking at how many players there were in this Year 12 group I actually think that this 2019 Top 200 Draft is going to be better then the 2013 and 2017 Drafts. These players just looking at them as a whole and seeing how many different positions were stacked with at least 5 players in every position that could be in the starting or on the bench was really revealing on how much talent is there. I really had to think about how many of these boys if put in a situation against older better players could out think and out play their opposites and I did that because that’s the position they are in right now. A lot of these boys who are wanting to make NZSS or Barbarians this year are going to have to beat out a Year 13 this year and so finding that mental strength to not care about the other player being older is what these guys are going to have to learn this year. Like I have said I have only picked a 23 man team and have left off almost 20 players or so that could have made this team, but here we go.
I went with the BIG BIG Boys in the front row and 3 out of the 4 Props are just huge massive type players because they would make more of a difference at this stage of their development. I went the Big Boys like Tiaan, Tevita and Jayden. They are the big boys that dont mess around and they get the job done no matter what or who you are. As of right now they are power Props come scrum time and will learn over this year and the next how to scrum and to win by technique, foundation and positioning. These boys know how to play the game with their body types meaning they clean out with everything they have and punish whatever gets in their way. Tiaan having been selected for the Blues U17 because of last years performances is on track to being a prospect being kept on watch. Jayden and Jordan were selected for the Hurricanes U17’s and have come away with some really good feed back from inside the Camp. Jordan Macfarlane is different to the other Props because he is not that kind of big but his work rate is huge and he keeps working for the full 70 mins. Jordan kind of reminds me of a guy named Mason Kean out of Hastings BHS who wasnt as big but he out worked the other props and made NZSS and thats how I see Jordan developing as a player. The Hookers I went with real impressive Westlake BHS Hooker David Toia a dude I wasnt sure about but came around to seeing how much of a big deal he is in his 1st XV team. David a heavy carrier of the ball and a guy that doesnt mess around, scrums hard, tackles hard, cleans out rucks and supports well his teams mates which I think is a guy we should see more of this year. I got word that Valance might be out for the year but I still think he should be mentioned because he went from a No.7 Jersey to a No.2 Jersey on his back and nailed it. Valance obviously brings a faster pace to this position but also a very strong defencive attitude to the line up which is hard to match.
When it comes to my Locks and my Loose Forwards they are all starting to sort of blend together because all these boys now a days are so versatile and agile and all grow to about 6’3 and upwards that they become more like Blind Side Flankers then Locks. TK Howden is more of a Lock then the others but even he is so smooth and clean in the way he runs the ball that he begins to look like a Flanker. TK great in line outs and with the ball in hand that I think he gives a team like this an added edge. Then you add someone like Emil Crichton who is more of a No.6 and he becomes that player that quickens up that 2nd row and gives them the added explosiveness. I then selected Taylor Dale on the bench and he also adds that same kind of dynamic because he runs, tackles and moves like a 6 or 8 and so when these guys are all on the field at the same time it just gives the Half Back and 1st 5/8 so many options in attack. Now all these guys can lift and be lifted as well so line outs would be a real problem for teams if this team was created and put together. So look at my Loose trio and the make up of it with these types of players. Tuki Simpkins can make NZSS this year because of his share size, height, physicality and mental toughness. He is going to be one of those players that I will always remember watching. Anton Segner the German talent that is blowing out dudes in the UC Comp is a guy I believe in a lot and I think now that teams know who he is and what he can do, it will give him the opportunity to be ready for the extra attention on the field and for him to lift his game to the next level. Fast, strong, fit, vocal and physical in the tackle is what to expect from Anton and Leroy is much the same when he is on the field. Leroy is going to be one of the best players coming from the Highlanders Region and I wish that Sky would show him more because he really is something to watch when he gets the ball. Julian Goerke is a very very talented player that can play from Lock to No.8 and be very effective as well. He comes with that real defencive presence but can switch once the turnover is made and he’s right there in support and ready to get the pass or clean out for the quick ruck.
Max and Aidan might be the smallest 9 and 10 in history in one team but I think that both of them would make such an impact in a game together. Both these dudes can play! They can both get off the mark with pace, got some really sharp footwork and vision to create on the run. Max a very controlled 9 that can light up the game in a split second and get down the field easy with just one break. Aidan has shown that he is ready to lead a team and should play 1st 5/8 this year and we will see what he can really do with the ball in his control. Aidan is always that guy that never gives up but always just has a crack at it and puts everything he has out there. I also went with having Blair Murray who I like a lot as a player and is kind of like Aidan in the way he plays too just real guttys and chances everything and putting 100% confidence in himself. Blair at the Condor 7’s was really ripping up and making good defenders look real average and so I went with him for my Half Back behind Max to offer that same dynamic. Rocco Berry out of St Pats Silverstream was my pick for back up 1st 5/8 with also Kynan Stowers-Smith who can back up at 1st 5/8 and in the midfield too. Rocco is a very talented player that is very organized and can play with flair and style as well.
I have talked about Jordan enough and I think everyone gets how good this guy is and how well he’ll do over the next two years. Jordan can be a very dominate figure in a team that I needed someone who can compliment that along with Aidan Morgan at 1st 5/8 and so I went with Giovanni Leituala from Kings HS in Dunedin but I have him at Center. I think Jordan and Giovanni would work well on offence and defence together. Giovanni can make those physical plays on defence in the back line but also he can play the out side channels and really provide clear running space for the Wingers and Fullbacks. Giovanni give this back line more option with the ball and also another guy that is going to create and make match ups harder on the edge. When you have guys like Max Brown and Roderick Solo on the wings you need your center to get them the ball in the best situation as possible and at least a clear path past the wing defender. Max can beat guys on his own with footwork and a fend but it is always better when your set up by a creative center. Max and Roderick open up a back 3 with the way they run and move in and out of space. Both of these guys have no trouble at all get space and going 30 meters scoring tries because they are both that talented. Jacob Kneepkeens is also a very good 1st 5/8 but for this group I want him at Fullback to make decisions and guide the wingers into space and also to use that kicking game that he has too which is real important in a team like this.
1. Jordan Macfarlane (Gisborne BHS)
2. David Toia Hooker (Westlake BHS)
3. Tiaan Tauakipulu (St Kentigern College)
4. Emil Crichton (Hastings BHS)
5. TK Howden (Feilding HS)
6. Tuki Simpkins (Rotorua BHS)(VC)
7. Anton Segner (Nelson College)
8. Leroy Ferguson (John McGlashan College)
9. Max Huges (Christchurch BHS)
10. Aidan Morgan (Kings College)
11. Roderick Solo (Scots College)
12. Jordan Thompson-Dunn (Hastings BHS)(C)
13. Giovanni Leituala (Kings HS)
14. Max Brown (Otago BHS)
15. Jacob Kneepkens (Francis Douglas MC)
16. Tevita Pole (Otago BHS)
17. Jayden Walker (Napier BHS)
18. Valance Yates (St Kentigern College)
19. Taylor Dale (Otago BHS)
20. Julian Goerke (Hastings BHS)
21. Blair Murray (New Plymouth BHS)
22. Rocco Berry (St Pats Silverstream)
23. Kynan Stowers-Smith (St Bedes College)
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