1. Josh Southall (St Patrick College, Silverstream)
Should we really go over what Josh can do or how he can take over a game? Because Josh is going to be a Top 5 player in the country and the proof was him as a NZSS player last year. I thought as he played with all those top rated Stars in that team which was one of the best NZSS teams I have seen, he was just going to be an ordinary player but he did really good. Josh went through his motions of breaking quick from the scrums, making tackles, covering the inside running lanes and getting over the ball. Josh does also have a running game which was not shown in the NZSS team but this year he will have his shot to show what he can do with ball in hand.
2. Dylan Hall (Gisborne BHS)
Dylan is a very impressive player and brings that hard dude attitude from the East Coast and it shines in games. I have a feeling that he is going to have his break out year and really lock down the Super 8 Comp this year with his game play. The best thing about being in the Super 8 is that every week you get tested and Dylan will have that every week and will get him ready for the Hurricanes as well as the NZSS which I think he can make. He has a huge work ethic which is needed in a team like Gizzy Boys because they thrive around the fact that they can out work and muscle you and that’s where he leads from the front.
3. Sam Henderson (Napier BHS)
I have to really give it up to Sam after last years first games of the season because I wasnt that impressed with him on the field. Then I started to see his games week after week and he really did make some big strides improving every single time he took the field. I think he is a very busy player as he should be and I think that with his form getting himself into position over the ball is almost better the Josh Southall and I think he’s going to really turn some heads this year. I am really keen to see what he can do in South Africa in the next few weeks and to see how good he’ll be when he gets back. Expect Sam to really make things hard for your team to get the ball back fast and if you find your ball movement gets cut down to first or second receiver I’ll let you know now, it’s Sam.
4. Chris Bainbridge (St Bedes College)
Chris is some what of an undercover talent that was attending Burnside HS last year but has now gone over to St Bedes College to really boost their forward pack up giving them some much needed size and “Mongrel”. Chris a very heavy hitter in tackles and a guy that finishes tackles as well before trying to get over the ball makes for a very important player in the team. I think with his addition to the Loose trio it will give St Bedes more strength and fight for the ball, tighter on ball defence and another Rugby IQ player in the mix as well. I think Chris is the best right now in the UC Cup as an Open Side and if all goes well he’ll get to show out for the Crusaders U18 this year too. Just a warning for you all, dont carry the ball loose to a tackle because he’ll wrap it up and then its gone, just thought I would let you know before hand.
5. Taituha Woller (Te Wharekurao Mauao)
Now I dont expect you to know this dude at all because he’s not at a big time rugby program or anything like that, he is not highly talked about because, well Im the only one that goes out looking for player like him. I first heard about him from some of the boys and got to see him for the first time in action a few years ago and was really impressed with just his overall talent, still not sold but impressed. Then I saw him in the U18 Chiefs and how he was solid being around some of the best in the country and did more then hold his own, and I think he’s going to be a massive player this year that will get his chance to prove himself in the U18 Chiefs again and I think he’s going to really bring out guns and then drop bombs on the field.
Devin Gregory (St Peters School)
Jake Russ (Hamilton BHS)
Likau Alatini (Aorere College)
Sam Caldwell (Christchurch BHS)
Sam Fonua (Dilworth School)
Jesse Va’afusuaga (Otago BHS)
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