Biggest “Snubbed” Team 2017

Every year when the NZSS/Barbarians selections come out there are always going to be players that miss out that “I” personally think should be on that list and for me, yeah there have been some guys that I think that the “Selectors” really mess up on and others that I think they have picked better then I have. So this year, yes 100% there are players that I think they have missed out on and some of them are just straight up obvious one’s that you think “Hey man, come on now this dude? You left him out? Oh you dead wrong with that one!!”. Here is the thing this year I feel like this year my “Snubbed” selected team could beat the Barbarian team that they have selected or are to being selected in two more Sundays.

For me Lalomilo, Lemeki and Brad were probably the biggest ones they missed out on for NZSS let a lone miss out on both teams, yeah man I dont know how you could miss these ones. I don’t think there was a more physical, powerful, explosive and better midfield defender that was better then Lalomilo. Everyone he came across he always came out on top and even in the Blues vs Chiefs he showed his worth on defence and did what he could with what ball he got. Lemeki when you watch his TV games which most Selectors watch and really only see those games of players he stood out a lot, and in that Semi-Final against St Peters College he had a key hand in 2 of those tries that was scored. Lemeki can adjust and fit into the midfield and on the wing in really any system you want him to play because he has a lot of talent that allows him to move that way in games. Brad I feel played himself into the picture when he came back from injury and then his 3 games against Hastings BHS he stood out in all of them and in that final was the pivotal player out there for Hamilton BHS and got the work done for them in that role.

Others you might want to have a look at was Cody Hemi from Wanganui Collegiate, now a lot of you may not know him because he goes to Wanganui Collegiate and he plays in the CNI. This is the thing though he is in the Steelform Wangnui Team in the Mitre 10 Heartland Comp and is still at school and he did not make Hurricanes U18 either, that deserves a Russell Westbrook’s “WHAT?”. So if you think back a few years there was another kid I picked as a NZSS player in “My NZSS Team” and the “Selectors” did not pick him. This Player went on to be the MVP of the Heartland Comp and then play NZ U20 and then the Blues, he goes by the name of Stephen Perofeta, “Selector’s” did not see that talent but I did, Selectors of the Heartland MVP votes did and he went on to play in the Heartland NZ Select team too as a high school kid. Just so you know I am not saying Cody will go that same route but come on they must not be keen on Wanganui players or something if they can make Heartland teams and not NZSS and that gap is pretty close too. James Te Pairi is another player that had me thinking “Man!! You selector’s Feeling alright? You need a drink? Some water?” because he has been nothing but strong and leading from the front all year and he doesn’t even get a mention or anything. It really doesn’t help that the Highlanders dont like to share any info about selections of their U18 teams or clips or anything but did they give him a fare look in? I dont think so. Ollie Norris’s transition from No.8 to Prop was great and that scrumming like I said before got better and better. Ollies scrum test against Ethan McQuinlan (Another “Snubbed” player) at Top 4 was good because Ethan ate him up on the very first scrum and then after that it was all good and he held his own strongly. Calum McNab, you think St Peters College would have made it that far if it wasn’t for Calum? Glen Beardsley was the only shining light for Shirley BHS early on till they got a hold of their season, Reon Lowery, Tamarau McGahan, Mosese Pepa and Matthew Stevenson they are all players that have solid reasons to why they should be there.

One thing I do which I think the “Selectors” should do is back themselves up and say these are why we selected these players, because at least this answers the question for some of or most of the boys that didnt even get a phone call but were part of the U18 Region teams. When I select “My Teams” I always write and explain why I choose the players that I do. Just because I am really the only one that covers 1st XV “PLAYERS” as a whole and you don’t get the media pressure like other NZ Selecting teams do it doesnt mean you get to stay hidden and not give these boys an explanation as to “Why” they werent selected. Think about it, you “Selectors” take care of all the Regions in terms of players to call up and you have selectors from all Regions at least two in each from my understanding so tell all your own boys with a phone call, divide the names up. Now who am I to the selectors and NZR and what do we work on together? Nothing, but I believe that if there was someone that could argue “For” players non-selection’s and have substance, visual and field presence evidence and reason behind it, it would be me. Now they don’t have to listen to me at all but think about it, I chose almost 94% of the selections from this year which was pointed out by someone on my page because I didnt want to do it myself, so thank you for that you know who you are. Every year I have selected over 87% every time, so why not me? Why not let me sit in the back of your selection meeting? I promise I wont say anything or disrupt but at least I know where your selections are coming from and I would explain it to the 130K + people that love 1st XV Rugby. Check out my team and see what you think, am I right or wrong?

Snubbed Team 2017

1. Ollie Norris (St Peters School)
2. Adam Reid (Christchurch BHS)(C)
3. Ethan McQuinlan (Feilding HS)
4. Alexander McRobbie (St Kentigern College)
5. Ben Paulin (Southland BHS)
6. Calum McNab (St Peters College)
7. Glen Beardsley (Shirley BHS)
8. Matthew Letonga (Tokoroa HS)
9. Brad McNaughten (Hamilton BHS)
10. Burns Mills (Otago BHS)
11. Lemeki Namoa (Sacred Heart College)(VC)
12. James Te Pairi (Kings HS)
13. Lalomilo Lalomilo (De La Salle College)
14. Cody Hemi (Wanganui Collegiate)
15. Johnny Cooper (Westlake BHS)
16. Reon Lowery (John McGlashan College)
17. Wesley Tapueluelu (St Peter’s College)
18. Billy Priestley (Gisborne BHS)
19. Sam Darry (Christ College)
20. Tamarau McGahan (Rosmini College)
21. Leroy Carter (Tauranga BC)
22. Mosese Pepa (Aorere College)
23. Matthew Stevenson (Waimea Combined)