NZ Māori Under 18 team named

NZ Maori 2017 Photo - Credit:Andy McArthur

The New Zealand Māori Rugby Board has announced the Māori Under 18 team for their 2018 programme.

The team will face the New Zealand Schools Barbarians and Fiji Schools in Wellington in a two-match series later this month. 

Players were identified through regional and national camps and selected on form from school, regional and club rugby.

New Zealand Māori Board Chair Dr Farah Palmer said it was an exciting programme for the team.

“This team and the programme that it is part of, embodies the principles of Poutamatanga and Taumatatanga that drive Māori Rugby.

“We are very proud of the large number of Māori players who have already been selected to attend the New Zealand Schools camp. Selecting talented Māori players in this team enables us to identify, develop and encourage our next generation of players to show their talent at this  level within a Māori environment,” said Dr Palmer.

The team will assemble in Wellington on 22 September before matches against the New Zealand Schools Barbarians (27 September) and Fiji Schools (5 October).

The team is;
Bailey GordonWestern Heights High SchoolTe Arawa
Billy PriestlyGisborne Boys' High SchoolNgāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti
Chris HemiSt Patrick's College, SilverstreamNgāti Kahungunu
Cortez-Lee RatimaHamilton Boys' High SchoolNgāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tama
Damarus HokiangaHastings Boys' High SchoolNgāti Kahungunu
Daniel RonaNew Plymouth Boys' High SchoolTe Atiawa
Jack GrayPonsonby Rugby ClubNgāti Whakaue
Jayden WalkerNapier Boys' High SchoolNgāti Kahungunu
Jordan Thompson-DunnHastings Boys' High SchoolNgāti Kahungunu
Kynan Stowers-SmithSt Bede's CollegeNgāti Tama
Leo Ngatai-TafauSt Peters College (Auckland)Ngāti Porou, Tainui
Leo ThompsonNapier Boys' High SchoolNgai Tā Manuhiri, Ngāti Rangiwewehi
Niko ManaenaSouthland Boys' Boys High SchoolNgāti Porou, Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu
Nikora BroughtonHato Paora CollegeNgāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Te Āti Haunui ā Papaprangi
Oliver ParkinsonAuckland Grammar SchoolTe Arawa, Te Rarawa
Raniera PetersonUpper Hutt RamsNgāti Kahungunu
Ruben LovePalmerston Boys' High SchoolTe Atiawa
Samuel Sexton-WaltonKaramu High SchoolNgāti Kahungunu
Taylor DaleOtago Boys' High SchoolNgāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua
Te Paea Cook-Savage           St Paul's CollegiateNgai Takato
Te Rama ReubenRotorua Boys' High SchoolNgāti Awa, Ngati Rangi, Te Arawa
Terrell PeitaMt Albert GrammarTe Rarawa Kaiwhare
Thomas Murray-Edwards        New Plymouth Boys' High SchoolNgati Whakaue
Tiaki FabishNapier Boys' High SchoolNgāti Maniapoto, Te Whanau ā Apanui
Zach RirinuiRotorua Boys' High SchoolNgai Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui
Unavailable due to injury: Werohika Witaka and Sione Tuliakiono             


The management staff is
Rua WanoaCo-Head CoachNgāti Porou
Kahu CareyCo-Head CoachRangitane, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
Jeremy WaraForwardsTainui, Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Tiipa
Anthony RehutaiForwardsNgāti Porou
Ngatai WalkerBacksNgāti Porou
Stacey GrantBacks/trainerNgāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Mihaere EmeryCultural AdvisorTuhoe, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Raukawa
Mark SeymourManagerNgāti Hikairo
Tiki EdwardsCampaign ManagerWhakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa

---