HS Top 200’s Top 5 Centers for 2018

Isaiah Punivai (St Kentigern College) 

After a NZSS selection last year Isaiah is in that realm of furthering his skill set without the pressure of ticking off that goal. Isaiah a player that plays with a lot of space and power with a bit of foot work makes the game look easy. I think the reason why he is so good is because he keeps things simple and does the fundamental basics very well using them in his every possession play. He is not one to push passes, doesnt over play on defence or get ahead of the play and because of his speed he catches up to a developed play quickly and shuts it down with timing. He will be in the NZSS again this year with a huge chance of being the Captain as well.

Josiah Marakau (Feilding HS)(Pictured) 

I really think that Josiah and Isaiah are on the same level but play the game in different way’s achieving the same thing goal. Josiah I feel is probably more explosive and more physically inclined when it comes to taking over a game, he lights things up very quickly and early in the game while players are still trying to get a feel for the game he’ll attack. The effect Josiah has on the game is huge because he makes breaks and they are always real huge meter eaters and a lot of the time end up in tries. I think that with his 4th year in the 1st XV and being at the top of his game in 1st XV Rugby being a NZSS player is right there in his way and he just has to grab it.

Jaylen Tuapola (Scots College) 

I really like the way Jaylen plays and his mix of foot work and physicality in his game because it is very unpredictable and it throws off defenders. He managers to get off the mark really quickly and get out in front of the play to draw that attention away from the Wingers, or back inside to the 2nd 5 or Fullbacks and that is always a line break waiting to happen. Jaylen is going to make the Hurricanes U18 again and will be a heavy contender for NZSS and I think that Josiah and Isaiah should watch out because it wont be hard for Jaylen to have another break out season and easily top last year.

Simeon Latu (Auckland GS) 

Simeon has had such a long presence on Top 200 being in his 4th year in the 1st XV and for Auckland GS which is not an easy thing to do with how much talent they have at that school. I think that his career so far has gone great and he has been able to show every game that he has the talent and drive to be with the best in the country. Simeon is going to have a good shot this year to make the NZSS or Barbarians and I think he’ll add a lot of experience and leadership to whatever team he makes because he has played against the best in the country for the last 3 years and showed that he can line up against anyone.

Valynce Crosby Te Whare (St Pauls Collegiate) 

When is comes to power runners I think that Valynce is at the top of the list because of the way he plays the game and really takes it at his opposites. His head to head battle with Josiah is going to be one to watch because they will be able to challenge each other and test each other. Valynce is kind of a match up nightmare on defence and you better have a tier defender or another Super Star like Josiah marking him because he’ll make things very hard for you as the game goes on and on.

Jahmal Hapi (New Plymouth BHS)
Terry Pongi (Sacred Heart College)
PJ Latu (St Peters School)
Shi Jie Yong (Tauranga BC)