So it was just to hard to leave someone out of this team and so I had 25 players in there and so you decide who shouldn’t make it cause I couldn’t. The talent level is pretty high this year and they have players in here that have some real talent that look like they could be Super Rugby players in a few years. Something that Scouts and Agents look at is the height and body type of players and there is a lot of that this year and so Im looking forward to seeing how these players go in about 4 years. I selected based on what I saw last year and how I think they have gone over the summer and so that’s how I looked and selected this team here. Obviously this will not be the same come November but this is a start and a place to sort of gage where these guys are this coming year. The Rankings could see some of the Barbarians be Ranked higher then the NZSS because of position and things of that nature but dont worry we have a long season, a lot can happen.
I know a lot of you guys out there already know a lot of these players already more so if you follow my website because I have been mentioning these players for the past two years. It is not a surprise with the selection of Prop’s Saula and Patrick were Barbarian players last year and they grew from that experience and the training they got from being in that team. Pou has been seen and picked up by the Chiefs to train with the U20’s which is huge deal for a young player of any position to be around guys who are just under that Super Rugby level because you will learn so much. Then you have Tamati who has already got his NZSS selection from last year and is looking to build himself up again and strengthen his game because Pro life for him could be just around the corner. I look at these 4 guys and think about the strengths they bring in as a Propping unit and this could be one of the best in some years. All these boys are majorly focused and ready, physically strong and great leaders on the field, mentally strong. The Hookers have the same kind of body type and game play because these guys are not small guys they are pretty tall and they do play with a heavy work load. They really stretch themselves on the field and put everything into tackles, runs, supporting plays things we love to see. Billy had his time with the Maori team last year and that will help him this year as maybe one of the looked to players as top in the Nation to lead the rest. Tyrone it seems like has been around for ages because he has been in the 1st XV for so long. Tyrone is very physical and plays with a huge amount of smarts and aggression in his movements.
The second row and the loose trio are all in it together because of the length, height and skill set of all these players. James Bolton and Alex McRobbie are the only true Locks in this group. These two have a very high standard of play when it comes to the line outs, running the ball on second phase play and ball runners support, and when its time to defend they are right there in the mix. James and Alex are within that 6’6-6’7 range of locks and over this year can really add some inches as well but they fill the role perfectly. Then you have Tom Martin who is more of a Blind Side but can fill the role of Lock, Simon Parker who was a Barbarian last year, can cover Lock as well as 6. Tom and Simon has the same sort of game which is all head down and going forward, they run the ball hard and give the backs time to set and find their footing. Their tackling is one of their strongest points and they make a massive difference when it all comes together and they are just rolling with the game. Tuki even though is League bound for now, I think can make NZSS this year and will fill in at No.8, 6 and Lock and after seeing how much he has grown physically there is no doubt this kid is going to be someone we should remember and follow when he leaves Rotorua BHS. Tyler Laubscher was the guy I thought would be a great No.6 to start with as of right now and if he grows any more to be a 6’7-6’8 player he really might have to make that move to Lock but for now Blind Side will do. Liam Udy-Johns right now is a long range player that can run the field, last the game and does everything very well and at the highest level. Now for me Liam is it at No.8 and because I know a lot of you MAGS boys will be asking “Why not Terrell?”, so Im’ma answer it now. Liam and Terrell differ because Liam covers more positions and can be moved around because of height, body type and skill set. If your asking for the better No.8 Terrell is better, but if your asking for the better player Liam is better, now in a team setting any coach would tell you a player that has more to offer is more valuable to the team, and this is a team concept so Liam is who I would go with. Josh Southall……..do I need to say more? Come on now, can anyone stop him?
Taufa Funaki is in the running for the best player in the Nation and he has a long list of why he should take that spot. Taufa is going to be such a massive part of the NZSS team this year because he is going to have to teach Louie the ropes and how things are done and those two are going to be major in a game. Louie was a Barbarian last year and was in the same kind of environment and now its time to make a stand step it up and no doubt it will happen this year. Rivez Reihana another strong candidate for No.1 player in the country is on another level and has showed that last year when he was killi’n it in the Black Jersey and so this year I feel will be the same for him. Rivez back up for me personally is going to be Aidan Morgan who might be playing 1st 5/8 this year and with his skills set and work ethic Aidan is the perfect fit. He played last year at Fullback and made the Blues U18 as a Year 11 and so this year I think he can make that jump again and get an early call up to the Black Jersey. Aiden maybe a everyone should watch over the next two years because I think he has what it takes to be one of the best around even this year. He is never scared, never shy of the contact, the pressure never seems to get to him and so if all of that is strengthened and developed more over this year and next we might be watching a future right now.
Josiah Maraku and Isaiah Punivai would be unstoppable. These two guys on their own can take over games and make each other better as well as others around them better. Josiah can attack from anywhere on the field, he has a strong fend with quick foot work, doesnt lose speed either when dropping the hammer and “Whack” he’s gone. Isaiah is the same and can beat guys on the outside. I have been watching his games and I still dont know which is better the foot work to get to the outside or the way he quickly picks up speed just turning the corner, no one can even grab his jersey or anything. Covering both of them would be my pick of Jordan Thompson-Dunn out of Hasting BHS and with him in that mix I see him learning and watching the other two and then adding it to his game. Jordan can play the 1st 5/8 position too but something says to me he’s just a better 2nd 5/8. Simeon would also be a part of this as well because he does cover a lot of position as well as Fullback and wing.
Like I said Simeon Latu can be apart of that Back 3 if needed but I have Drew Wild at Fullback and Jaylan Tuapola and Tahu Kaa on the wings. Drew is one of the best cover fullbacks in the country that know how to play from side to side cover and chasing down kicked balls down field and then be able to scoop it up run it or return the kick for open ground. I think having a guy like Drew at the back sets up Tahu and Jaylan perfectly because as strong as a runner Drew is Tahu can make those extra breaks and get rid of weak defenders down the side line. Jaylan a very physical player on the wing is also there to make sure that when they get the ball the opposition knows that it is a mistake to kick it to these young guys. Tahu and Jaylan will most likely play in the Midfield this year but dont be surprised if you see them in 11 and 14 when Reps come around.
1. Tamati Williams (St Kentigern College)
2. Billy Preistly (Gisborne BHS)
3. Saula Mau (Auckland GS)
4. James Bolton (Feilding HS)
5. Alexander McRobbie (St Kentigern College)
6. Tyler Laubscher (Palmerston NBHS)
7. Josh Southall (St Pats Silverstream)
8. Liam Udy-Johns (Hastings BHS)
9. Taufa Funaki (Sacred Heart College)
10. Rivez Reihana (St Kentigern College)(C)
11. Tahu Kaa (Christchurch BHS)
12. Josiah Maraku (Feilding HS)
13. Isaiah Punivia (St Kentigern College)(VC)
14. Jaylan Tuapola (Scots College)
15. Drew Wild (Feilding HS)
16. Tyrone Thompson (Napier BHS)
17. Patrick Thacker (Christ College)
18. Pou Sorenson (Rotorua BHS)
19. Tuki Simpkins (Rotorua BHS) Y12
20. Thomas Martin (Hamilton BHS)
21. Simon Parker (St Peters School)
22. Louie Chapman (Christchurch BHS)
23. Aidan Morgan (Kings College) Y12
24. Jordan Thompson-Dunn (Hastings BHS) Y12
25. Simeon Latu (Auckland GS)
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