Every year the NZSS Selectors like to go for a few Year 12’s to always have developing players coming through and also so the next year it’s not a “Fresh” lot of players again. So because they do this I call those players “Jumpers”. This years Year 12 Jumpers are players from all over the country that I think have a great shot at making NZSS this year or at least make a good case for themselves.
Jordan Thompson-Dunn 1st-2nd 5/8 (Hastings BHS)
I’m really looking forward to seeing what Jordan is going to come back like with such a massive year last year with a huge amount of learning, I think he’s going to be interesting to watch. Jordan played 2nd 5/8 last year but is looking to maybe move to 1st 5/8 but I’m not sure if him moving is the right move because I think he has done well at 2nd 5/8 for a full season. The only laps I think he had was against Hamilton BHS in the first game and it was against the NZSS Captain so who wouldn’t have a hard game trying to mark him and also he was Year 11. I think he has learned from them and he will never play anyone harder than Quinn. Jordan has a wide range of skills which makes him a very handy player to have in the NZSS Squad.
Leroy Ferguson Blind Side (John McGlashan College)
Another League Player Bronco’s bound I think Leroy has the goods “Fo Real Fo Real!!”. Now I don’t just see a player that can run the ball and tackle well but he also makes things hard for match up’s on defense, runs off the back of the scrums, security over the ball things like that. Leroy has played a full year of 1st XV in Year 10 so this ain’t new to him and that is his advantage and it’s working for him. I believe he will have a very strong season this year and will probably stack up a number of tries this year. One thing I will expect from him this year is a turn up of his leadership on the field because he is going to be their main force on both sides of the ball and the team will look to him for what to do next and I think he’s a leader of the future so I want to see that this year.
Max Brown Center/Fullback (Otago BHS)
This year Otago BHS will have a really talented back line and one player that should be watched for is Max Brown. Now for me personally I would like to see Max at Fullback and seeing him work the defense when he returns the ball off kicks. Seeing him make some really impressive breaks as a Winger with limited space and with the sideline right there, I think seeing him in the middle of the field and then just going to work will open up a whole new game plan for the coaching staff. He showed a little bit of a kicking game but with him at Fullback he’ll be able to show more of what he can do. When you have a ball returning player like Max he just makes holes all over the field and defenders just don’t know what to do and Max will make them pay for it.
Tuki Simpkins Lock/No.8 (Rotorua BHS)
Even though Tuki is a League bound player with word that he is going to the Cowboys, I still personally think that he is the best chance at making NZSS this year out of the Year 12’s. He is 6’5-6’6 physical like Brad Shields and runs the field like Vaea Fifita what more are you looking for? Here is what I like about Tuki Simpkins and it’s very easy to see when you watch him but it’s his intensity and passion to play the game. The games I have watched LIVE of him from last year including the Condor 7’s Tournament, there was not a game where he looked like he gave up on the play or the game. You got to watch out for him this year cause he is now of the age where he can start really hitting the weights and building his body for the sport he wants to play and that’s going to be scary come August when that all kicks in. I think he has it all and is a player I think that League went in saw it first and made it work. We lost Nelson Asofa Solomona, Suliasi Vunivalu, Hayze Perham and now Tuki Simpkins? Good on you NRL you got a good one. Step it up Union.
Giovanni Leituala 1st 5/8 (King HS)Kings HS is not a school that is heard of a lot when it comes to rugby because the dominance of Otago BHS and Southland BHS usually crowd the “Deep South”. This year could be a lot different with a player by the name of Giovani Leituala who was only Year 11 last year and was the enforcer of the back line. Now you don’t usually hear of a Year 11 having that responsibility but this kid hits real hard making runners second guess if they want to try run that same line again. Now he is not just a big hitter but also a playmaker who can create all on his own with footwork and power, or he uses that footwork to draw the defense and also a right hand fend with the offload with the left to get players in the open. Watch for him this year and I HOPE Sky gets down there because everyone needs to see this kid play.
Rodderick Solo Utility (Scots College)
Not a lot of players had a better Condor 7’s then this kid right here. His offensive game was so direct with a sharp change of direction and with real quick instincts to blow past defenders. I thought he really showed what he could do with the ball in hand and gave us all a preview of what he will do going into this year. Now the people in Wellington weren’t surprised because they have seen it all before, I was only half surprised because I knew he was good but not that good at all and he blew everyone else minds with his talent. I would be able to see him in the “Black Jersey” on the wing and playing with that same speed on the edge and having some really sharp cutbacks into play pushing off defenders flying past him. I think he’ll be in the midfield this year but I see him as a Winger maybe Fullback in Reps.
Aidan Morgan Fullback (Kings College)
I’m not sure where Coach Lavea will play Aidan Morgan next year but I know where ever he does put him he’s going to light it up. Aidan was kind of under the radar a bit and you didn’t really see much of him and then he strung all these really good games together and then he got an invite to the Blues U18 game. He is very explosive and direct with what he wants to do, you don’t really see him hesitate or being stuck in two minds on the field. Even though he is not the biggest player by any means he manages to still find gaps and break the line. He is very strong under the high ball and is also a very solid solo defender. I hope we get to see more of him and what he can do because he would be great as a 2 year NZSS player.
Anton Segner No 8 (Nelson College)
I don’t know if a German can make the NZSS Team but if a Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian can then why not a German. I think Anton is going to be an NZSS player before he’s done in 1st XV Rugby. Last year he was I would say a Top 5 No.8 in the UC Cup as Year 11 player and he was always a player spoken of when players finished playing Nelson College. Anton is a big kid and he works very very hard on the field, his fitness is very good and his game pace is very fast which makes him look like an Open Side. He gets into the rough and tough stuff and doesn’t shy away from hitting rucks and cleaning out bodies. As a German player coming here to NZ in my ignorance I expected him to be somewhat lost in the build up to plays and POD’s and stuff like that, but he was well up to it and so this year is going to be a big one for him.
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