NZR Announce Māori U18 Development team

A national Under 18 Māori Rugby Development team has been selected, for the first time, to play a curtain raiser match before the Bay of Plenty Steamers v Auckland in round six of the Mitre 10 Cup next Sunday.

The team announced by Deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board Peter Goldsmith today, is made up of talented school age boys who have been part of New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) E Tu Toa rugby development programme in 2016.

The side will play a Bay of Plenty Māori Te Waiariki U19 team at Rotorua International Stadium at 2pm on Sunday 25 September.

The National Māori Rugby U18 Development team will be coached by Rua Wanoa (Ngāti Porou), Reuben Parkinson (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) and supported by Anthony Rehutai (Ngāti Porou), and Kahu Carey (Rangitāne/Ngāti Apa). The team will be managed by Mark Seymour (Ngāti Hikairo).

Goldsmith said the development of Māori rugby at the youth level was a big focus for the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board.

“We're dedicated to developing our future talent and this team provides an opportunity for young Māori who have missed out on the New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarians Schools to be recognised.

“The boys in this team are outstanding rugby players and our goal is to keep them involved in the sport and striving to be better. This team gives them another opportunity to develop their skills and gain experience.”

He said the day will be a celebration of Māori rugby with national schools kapa haka champions Rau Kura performing. Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick will be presented with a taiaha (Te Roto) by NZR to formally recognise the awarding of the Māori All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions match to Rotorua, in 2017.

Match details
Date: Sunday, 25 September
Kick off: 2pm (prior to Bay of Plenty Steamers v Auckland in round six of the Mitre 10 Cup)
Venue: Rotorua International Stadium

About E Tu Toa
E Tu Toa rugby development camps are open to Māori rugby players of high school age around New Zealand and are run by NZR. The camps focus on tikanga and taha Māori. Young players are encouraged to continue to play rugby and become rangatira within their communities and for their whānau. It is also an opportunity for identifying and developing Māori rugby talent.

National Māori Rugby U18 Development team

AME
SCHOOL
IWI

Rhys Reiri
Wairarapa College
Ngāti Kahungunu

Tahu Hollis
Hamilton Boys' High School
Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Porou

Jarryd Broughton
Gisborne Boys' High School
Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi

Blake Bird
Rotorua Boys' High School
Ngāti Kahungunu

Tane Hohipa
Hastings Boys' High School
Ngāti Porou/ Tamatakutai

Jarrod Harawira
St Patrick’s College, Silverstream
Te Whakatōhea/ Rongowhakaata

Jakob Teneti
Gisborne Boys' High School
Ngāti Porou/ Te Whānau-ā-Apanui

Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
St Kentigern College
Ngāti Porou/ Te Whānau-ā-Apanui/ Ngāpuhi

Ronin Ainsley
Te Wharekura o Mauao
Ngāiterangi/ Hauraki/ Te Arawa/ Tainui

Rameka Poihipi
Hamilton Boys’ High School
Te Arawa

Hunta Marsh
Hastings Boys’ High School
Ngāti Kahungunu

Judah Andrews
Mid Northern Rugby Club
Te Rarawa/ Ngātiwa/ Ngāti Hau

Devin Te Tai
Whakatane Marist RFC
Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Awa/ Ngāi Tūhoe

Regan Wilson
Central Southland College
Ngāi Tūhoe / Ngāti Awa

Rewita Biddle
St Peter’s School Cambridge
Te Whakatōhea

Te Ariki Te Puni
Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Ngāti Raukawa/ Rangitāne o Manawatū/ Ngāti Porou

Chandler Hayward-Kingi
New Plymouth Boys’ High School
Ngāti Maniapoto / Te Āti Awa

Tanara Haenga
Wainuiomata High School
Ngāti Porou

Gabriel Te Kani
Gisborne Boys’ High School
Ngāti Porou

Tiare Day-Jones
Marist Albion RFC
Ngāti Porou/ Ngāti Mutunga

Nathan Rangihuna
Gisborne Boys’ High School
Ngāti Porou/ Ngāti Hikairo/ Ngāpuhi/ Ngāi Tūhoe

Jackson Borchert
St Peter's College Auckland
Ngāti Whātua/ Ngāti Porou

Quade Tapsel
Gisborne Boys' High School
Ngāti Porou/ Ngai Taharoa/ Ngāti Whakaue

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