HS Top 200’s Top 5 Lock Duo’s 2018

1. St Kentigern College

Yes again it is St Kentigern College with the No.1 spot and it is because they have loads of talent in the team that can switch to other positions too. Alexander McRobbie and Robert Rush would be the first two that I would expect to be the starting Locks after both being apart of the Chiefs U18 for Alex and Blues U18 for Rob. The other side of it is that they still have Mahonri Ngakuru who is also a starting quality Lock and I think it wouldn’t be smart for him to be on the bench, and then you have Stefan Williams as well. Here is what I would do, I would start with Alex and Mohonri as the Locks, have Rob at Blind Side or No.8 and then Stefan off the bench. Any school in the country would love to have any of those 4 options as their first option. With players like these at this quality Coach Tasesa Lavea is going to be able to have trust in this position and area of his game which also makes for maybe the best Tight 5 in the country.

2. Hastings BHS

Another team that has the same problem as St Kentigern College but all these players are Year 12’s and Young Year 13’s. Hastings BHS have hit one of the best problems they could come to with too many good Lock options. So here is what I would do because they could end up with one of the tallest teams in 1st XV and they are all really hard working athletes as well. I would go with James Green and Emil Chricton as the 2 starting Locks. They are both tall players James I think is hitting 6’6 and Emil 6’3-6’4? But they can be very physical and make themselves useful around the field. I would have Julian Goerke as my Blind Side and gamble on Donovan Mataira as an Open Side of coarse with Liam Udy-Johns as the No.8 and have Sean Baker a transfer from Central Hawks Bay College coming off the bench. That way you can have a lot of physical players on at one time and even though Donovan is not an Open Side his work rate and experience can make up for it. Now people may say “But they cant play that position, he plays this position”. OK whatever, but you have to do something with all that talent and use them cause they belong in the 1st XV and should be used on the field as well. I say take the players you have and then build the system around them.

3. Feilding HS 

I have always liked the way that James Bolten played from day one in the 1st XV game. James is a “tough guy” kind of player, a tough defender that drives runners back, competes in the air with every throw and can play the full game at a high pace. James is one of those players that is able to change a game by stealing a line out, making a tackle, cleaning out a ruck and it’s not the action or movement, its the making of the play at the right moment that lifts the team. TK Howden a young dude that just made the Hurricanes U16 Tournament Team because of his consistent dominance on the field with and without the ball. To me TK plays at a high with a physical attitude to his game and thats why it works with James. TK looks about 6’4-6’5 and still has some growing to do and it makes me think if he has another good year next year as a Young Year 13 we could be looking at a NZSS Lock, just like I see James right now.

4. St Patrick College Silverstream 

These two players are going to be the guys that wont get to much attention this year, they will be the over looked, underrated, “Lay Low” dudes but it shouldn’t be like this at all. Iona Apineru is a power house running Lock that breaks tackles, makes holes in the defence, smashes guys off the ball and cause he is solid and strong his scrum game is great. Iona was a very key player for them last year because of the way he plays and how he takes care of the ball when in their hands. Neyla Massima a quick player, that is very mobile and fit, gets to the ball fast, backs up well on break always and is very good at line out time. Neyla if he has grown over the summer comes back a few inches taller he is going to be trouble in the Wellington Comp come line out time. These two have a great pairing and together can make a massive difference and that’s why these two should be talked about more.

5. Hamilton BHS 

I have it on good word that Tom Martin will move to the Blind Side position like I have been saying from the start. Tom Martin is worth having in that Locking spot, though along side Josh Lord who will be the other Lock and they work together. So even though Tom may not play as a Lock I believe someone like Josh Lord can still be one of the Top Locks in the country over this year. He looks about 6’7-6’8, wins his own ball in the line outs, will disrupt every opposition throw, can run the field, doesnt drop the ball when going into contact even though there is not much to him and dose his part on defence. Now Tom and Josh were in the Locks I would have them at No.3 but I will drop them to 5th. This opens the door for guys like Rickson Hill and Luke White guys that have been in the system and have made rep teams through out their time at Boys High. These two alone would help with the height and would put a gap between them and other teams around the country that lack the height. They are both heavy player and can get physical around the rucks and will be something I look forward to seeing.

Other’s to Watch For

St Peters School
Christ College
Rotorua BHS
Kings College

Rank New Zealands Best 1st XV Second Row Duo’s