Kiwi U18's named for NSW schools clash.

Starting Monday, NZ Secondary Schools rugby league coach Rod Ratu has a unique opportunity to take a generation of players to the next level of their game.

Of his game.

In the space of a couple of weeks, Ratu will guide the students side against New South Wales Combined High Schools, then take the NZ 18s across the ditch to face Australian Schools in Brisbane.

Five players – Bostyn Hakaraia, Phoenix Hunt, David-John Phillips, Chris Sio and Auzzie Tuwhangai – have been named for both teams.

“I’m apprehensive, I’m nervous … but excited that it’s another challenge,” says Ratu.

He’s had plenty of experience at club, rep and schools level, and already knows many of his charges through working with the NZ Warriors development programme.

But this is his first national team gig, so he isn’t sure how high the bar sits on this assignment, just that it is higher than he’s been before.

“There’s a lot of familiarity there, it’s another campaign and we’re preparing for another game.

“At the same time, we’ve got to make sure the effort is raised. We can’t sit comfortably on what we already know, we need to challenge ourselves, off the field, as well as on it.”

Ratu has had plenty of advice. At the NZRL National Performance Camp, he picked the brains of new NZRL high performance general manager and former Junior Kiwis coach Brent Gemmell, his predecessor and Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro, and Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney.

“I took a lot of confidence from that camp, talking to those guys,” says Ratu. “They told me, in these short campaigns, you have to understand what you can manage and keep it simple.

“You have to make sure it’s an enjoyable process for yourself and the people concerned … the players.”

New South Wales finished stronger than their NZ counterparts in last year’s encounter at Westlake Boys High School, trailing early in the second half, but pulling away 28-16 in the final analysis.

Ratu has seen the footage and knows where his team must stamp their authority for a chance to turn the tables tomorrow.

“I’m very confident in our middles,” he says. “We are predominantly strong and powerful players, so we’ve selected this side with the intention of winning the battle in the middle of the field.

“I expect New South Wales to be highly skilful. They know the game well – they have great game intelligence – and it’s evident they will play the full 80 minutes.”

That, effectively, was the difference between the two sides last year, but Ratu is confident his players have the ability to go the distance this time.

The process of raising the bar began even before the NZ side entered camp on Friday. With the team’s only non-Aucklander, Dylan Clark, driving north from Tokoroa, they faced the Junior Warriors in an opposed practice run at Mt Smart Stadium last Wednesday.

“That’s an opportunity a rep team wouldn’t normally enjoy,” reflects Ratu. “The Warriors boys made a point of shaking their hands and wishing them luck afterwards.”

NZ SECONDARY SCHOOLS V NSW COMBINED HIGH SCHOOLS
Monday, September 21
Massey Park, Papakura

NZ Schools: Dylan Clark (Tokoroa HS), Bostyn Hakaraia (Mt Albert Grammar), Soane Hufunga (St Paul's College), Phoenix Hunt (Otahuhu College), Fine Inisi (Westlake BHS), Kenese Kenese (Manurewa HS), Isaiah Papalii (Mt Albert Grammar), David Phillips (Manurewa HS), Wetere Pompey (Weley College), Jan Sepuloni (Southern Cross Campus), Michael Siali-Motu (Manurewa HS), Chris Sio (St Paul's College), Alfred Smalley (Otahuhu College), Fuiva Takitaki (Southern Cross Campus), Siave Togia (Southern Cross Campus), Auzzie Tuwhanga (Mt Albert Grammar), Josh Uta (Manurewa HS), Zae Wallace (Westlake BHS)

Referee - Kiko Puhipi HIbbs
Touch - Antoinette Grootjans & Henare Chadwick

---