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

All games will be live-streamed on the NZR YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@newzealandrugby_/streams