Connect with us

Rugby

HS Top 200’s Top 5 Midfielders of 2018

Auckland GS

Simeon Latu and Matt Timoko (Pictured) were hard enough last year to mark as Year 12’s and now with a 2017 year together and both of them finding their rhythm together as a 1,2 punch it’s going to be well hectic out there for teams trying to stop them. Simeon has been on the radar for some years now and he has really grown as a player and has done some real special things on the field in that time. Simeon would be one of the most capped Grammar players in history with his 4th year in 1st XV rugby. Matt a League Star has made a name for himself in Union and this year will elevate him even more in both codes. His power he generates off just a couple of steps is real impressive and would be something to watch out for this because I have a feeling he’ll be breaking a lot of tackles again this year. For me I think both players have great chances to make NZSS and with Matt even as a Kiwi U18 Rep he is also at that level to make it if he wanted too.

St Kentigern College 

I really am not sure what combo the St Kentigern will go with but either way they will be a very strong combo. We all know that Isaiah Punivai is going to be there at Center and with his talent and skill set you could really have anyone on his inside and it will work. Having a talent like Isaiah in your team allows you to really be free to try a lot of different looks and know that he can make it work. Now for me there are two options at 2nd 5/8 and that is Year 12 Ammon Dean who has been in the frame for awhile now and is a 6’5-6’6 2nd 5/8 that just blows up players trying to tackle him. Then you have a “smooth” kind of player like Kalani Parkinson who was playing Half Back last year and wants to move to the midfield and he will definitely add a great passing game that includes not only Isaiah but the Wingers and Fullback. To me either way they go they will be strong and very hard to contain.

St Peters School Cambridge 

These two have a very good balance to their game, a good mix of strong running rugby and solid defence. Paula Mahe brings that huge running game that he has smashing himself into anyone in front of him and making them wish they didnt have to tackle him again. Paula is not an easy player to mark and players find it hard to match his aggressive and physical approach to the game. Paula is also not a greedy player and gets the ball through the hands when needing to and then PJ gets to really make his mark as well showing his outside pace. PJ is maybe the best defencive Center or midfield player in the country and can mark anyone. He is the anchor for that back line and makes tackles and gets himself over the ball as well, something not much players have in their bag of skills.

Kings College  

I got to see Meihana early in the year at the St Paul’s Collegiate camp and got to see his growth through the year. To me he went from a raw talented big kid, to an up and coming talent to watch out for the next two years. Meihana was a Year 11 trying to figure out if he could play at that 1A level and soon found out that he belonged in that space. Having Lukas Halls on your outside would be a great plus for him because Lukas was in his same position the year before. Lukas took a lot of the pressure off Meihana and it made them both better. I like the way Lukas plays and how he can switch from angry man trying to smash everyone to tactical play maker in the next play, setting up his team mates. This year is a big one for Lukas because he is in that NZSS frame and with a strong year again back fit and strong he could be in that “Black Jersey” at the end of the year.

Scots College

Even though these two guys are very young I think they are far ahead of their ages. Both players had big years last year and I think that it will carry into this year and set them both up for bigger things. Jaylen Tuapola is one of the top midfielders in the country and has a big time shot for NZSS after making U18 Hurricanes last year. Jaylen I also think is a Young Year 12 and can do another year next year if he wants too. I like his style of play mixing up some real physical in your face style to the passing game foot work to the outside kind of thing as well. Roderick Solo proved that he has some open field game with his 7’s performance as a Year 11 last year and he will build on it this year in the midfield. I do think that his Rep Rugby will all be at Fullback or Winger but I think they will play him in the midfield for his 1st XV.

Christchurch BHS
Feilding HS
Hastings BHS
Napier BHS
Sacred Heart College
Tauranga BC
Rotorua BHS

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Facebook

Advertisement

Recent Articles

More in Rugby