University of Waikato U18 team named to face Samoa U18

The Chiefs Rugby Club have named their University of Waikato Chiefs U18s team to face Samoa U18 for an international tournament taking place in Hamilton this October.

The tournament features the very best of our next generation of players representing various renowned age-grade teams that many international stars have featured in previously.

The University of Waikato Chiefs U18 team will take on this exciting opportunity on Thursday 10 October at St Paul’s Collegiate. The players named attended the University of Waikato Chiefs U18 camp earlier this year and impressed selectors to be given this chance to represent the Chiefs jersey for the first time.

Chiefs Head of Pathways Kent Currie said: “It’s been 15 years since the Chiefs U18 team was established. In that time, we have had some fantastic battles against the Blues, Hurricanes and Crusaders. However, this is the first time that the Chiefs U18 team has played against an international side.

“Although many players in our region were not available for Chiefs U18 selection due to NZ Schools and NZ Māori U18 playing against each other on the same day, we have selected a very strong side to play against Samoa. This is a testament to the great depth of talent we currently have right across the Chiefs region.

“We look forward to hosting Samoa Rugby Union and I am sure it will be a memorable day for all players and their families. I would like to acknowledge New Zealand Rugby for allowing us to play this fixture as part of their comprehensive National Programme.”

Players will be coached by local Māori All Black and All Black legends Liam Messam, Hika Elliot and Ray MacDonald.

University of Waikato Chiefs U18s team to face Samoa U18 (name, school/club, region):
Maika Alofi, Rotorua Boys High School, Bay of Plenty
Nate Bodle, St Paul's Collegiate School, Waikato
Ross Anderson, Hamilton Boys High School, Waikato
Naevo Apenisa, Wesley College, Counties Manukau
Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia, University of Waikato RFC, Waikato
Konelio Burgess, St John's College, Waikato
Judah Draiva, Tauranga Boys College, Bay of Plenty
Micah Fale, Hamilton Old Boys RFC, Waikato
Luke Goodman, New Plymouth Boys High School, Taranaki
Will Hadley, St Paul's Collegiate School, Waikato
Conrad Jackson, University of Waikato RFC, Waikato
Halen King, Hamilton Marist RFC, Waikato
Ioapo Kupita, Tauranga Boys College, Bay of Plenty
David Lewai ,University of Waikato RFC, Waikato
Richie Magele, Hautapu Sports Club, Waikato
Flynn Morey, St Peters School, Cambridge, Waikato
Tokoaitua Owen, Rotorua Lakes High School, Bay of Plenty
Suli Pahulu, Wesley College, Counties Manukau
Raharuhi Palmer, Hautapu Sports Club, Waikato
Aaron Riley, Tauranga Boys College, Bay of Plenty
Te Ariki Rogers, Rotorua Boys High School, Bay of Plenty
Mitchell Saunders, Mount Maunganui College, Bay of Plenty
Mitchell Swann, Hamilton Boys High School, Waikato
Bronson Van Der Heyden, Rotorua Boys High School, Bay of Plenty
Jack Wiseman, New Plymouth Boys High School, Taranaki

Management:
Coaches: Liam Messam, Hika Elliot, Ray MacDonald
Managers: Mickey Tahere, Keith Middlemiss
Physio: Leon Harris
Trainer: Scott Joblin
Video Analyst: Brad Morgan

Tournament Draw:
Wednesday 2nd October (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
NZ Barbarians U18 v Australia U18 – 2pm
NZ Schools v Samoa U18 – 4pm

Sunday 6th October (FMG Stadium Waikato)
NZ Māori U18 v NZ Heartland U20 – 12pm
NZ Barbarians U18 v Samoa U18 – 2pm
NZ Schools v Australia U18 – 4pm

Thursday 10th October (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
Chiefs U18 v Samoa U18 – 12pm
NZ Schools v NZ Māori U18 – 2pm