HS Top 200’s Top 5 2nd 5/8’s for 2018

Tahu Kaa-Goodwillie (Christchurch BHS)

Tahu has shown all of last year that he is ready to step up and be one of the best in the country in the midfield. Last year he played a solid role in making Christchurch BHS midfield one of the best in the country and he remained consistent the whole time. He wasn’t a one dimensional player that just did the same thing and gave you the same looks all the time. He could play a traditional “Crash & Bash” but then would show his passing skills and made plays as a decoy. Tahu had a very strong Rep season last year where he really showed that no matter what teams he was put in or against he could shine.  I think he has a massive chance to make NZSS this year but with the amount of talented midfielders that NZ always have all players will find it a battle.

Lukas Halls (Kings College) 

I see Lukas as a 2nd 5/8 and yes it is because of his size and his strength but I think it works overall. Lukas can be that threat to the line every time he runs the ball, well he’s a threat even making a move towards the ball. Lukas is not the kind of player you want to drop off of when making a tackle because he knows how to get the ball free and he knows how to draw a Fullback in to make space out wide. Now Lukas dosen’t have a that 3rd gear speed past the first line of defence into the open field but he doesnt need that because his passing game will show his worth. I have seen Lukas open up games purely with just his passing game because he had all eyes ball watching instead of watching the players and Lukas can get the ball right there where it is needed.

Paula Mahe (St Peters School) 

I have to admit that Paula is one of those one dimensional players that really only has one kind of game and that is “Smash & Bash”. Paula is so good at “Smash & Bash” that I dont think he really needs much else at this point because no one right now is stopping him. Paula runs to damn fast and to damn hard for anyone to really stop him with the first hit and sometimes second hit as well. I find his style very exciting and appealing to watch and it’s exciting and once he makes it past that first tackle he looks for the pass and his support right away. Running onto the ball Paula can find different lanes to approach the ball then make a lightning step that just throws all defenders off and it really is a hard one to stop. Now even though I think he is kind of one dimensional it doesn’t mean he cant add to his game because he can and he can also work on his game through out this year and find out what other things he can do, find a better passing game, learn to kick on a short game. Also dont run right at him it wont be good for your ego.

Jordan Thompson-Dunn (Hastings BHS) Y12

Yes he is Year 12 and Yes I might be jumping a bit early but I think Jordan has it in him to be one of the best in the country in the midfield and I think he could be one of those ones that gets a “Black Jersey” early. Jordan has a body of a midfielder but has the skills of a 1st 5/8 and foot work like a Fullback. I think he brings to much talent, and a skill set as a player and will make an impact right away this year. He has been apart of a winning environment for the past 2 years and this year I think he’ll be one to step up as a leader and show that he can take some of that bitter sweet burden of leadership. He will grow as a player, character will be stronger, mind set will change and he’ll be better as a player because of it. He has all the physical and skills but in his Year 12 Season he will need to learn to be the leader in the good and bad times.

Zane Firth (New Plymouth BHS) 

I have watched Zane for 2 years now and I think he has what it takes and he has gone through what he needed to go through to be a better player. Year 11 he took off and was really playing like he should have been a Year 13. Jan 1st 2017 ticked over and something happened, he had a pretty average kind of year which was really surprising and I wasn’t sure what was wrong a bit injured and stuff I guess, but when I saw film of him I still thought it was there. This year I hope there is a rewind for him, I want to see him break tackles, break the line, link up with Wingers and Fullbacks and set up mad tries all year. Being in the Super 8 he’ll get more then enough chances to test himself and lift his game, so I’ll be keen to see what he’s like in July and what his form is like cause he’s a talent for real.

Meihana Grindlay (Kings College) Y12
Giovanni Leituala (Kings HS) Y12
Leo Thompson (Napier BHS)
Kalem Strickland (Rotorua BHS)
Chey Fihaki (Sacred Heart College)
Alfred Nonu (Tangaroa College)