School Rugby 2025
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@mohikamo said in School Rugby 2025:
@Bovidae
Kit "we will score more off the field than on" Fawcett went to Matamata.Yes, he was one of the Matamata ABs. He was my PE teacher at school. Plenty of stories even then. Brendon Leonard, and Craig Innes started there before moving to Sacred Heart. Tim Mikkelson in the AB7s.
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Whangarei Boys High win the Condor 7s for the 1st time beating Tauranga Boys 15-14, think they said it was the 1st time WBHS had even made the final.
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@taniwharugby Yeah, I saw the final result. Good for them! Different winners over the last few years.
Let's see who makes the tournament team.
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Fantastic effort from Whangarei Boys 20th last year to winning the big dance
Henare Pairangi and Brock Reid named in the tournament team
Pairangi winning the player of the tournament
Jake Hutchings (Rotorua Boys) brother of Jordon also named in the team what a beast
Heard he’s being chased by both Auckland and BopThe boy Anaru Erasmus from Marlborough College who also made the tournament team impressed me no end
@Chris know anything about this kid ?
Big and very quick -
@Steven-Harris said in School Rugby 2025:
Fantastic effort from Whangarei Boys 20th last year to winning the big dance
Henare Pairangi and Brock Reid named in the tournament team
Pairangi winning the player of the tournament
Jake Hutchings (Rotorua Boys) brother of Jordon also named in the team what a beast
Heard he’s being chased by both Auckland and BopThe boy Anaru Erasmus from Marlborough College who also made the tournament team impressed me no end
@Chris No anything about this kid ?
Big and very quickNot a lot,he is in the Crusaders academy and was in the Crusaders junior camps
So is on the radar. -
@Steven-Harris said in School Rugby 2025:
Jake Hutchings
why are we not trying to get him then? Surely with his brother in our squad would make the trip back a bit more appealing?
Did Jordan go to Rotorua as well?
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@hikastags wondering if theres going to be a U18 NZ Barbarians and an U18 NZ Māori team
In the main though is baffling that the player of the tournament misses out -
Expect a Māori, Barbarians, Cavaliers, and PI teams amongst others. Aust have named their squad and it is strong with some of their U18 stars and sevens players.
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The draw has been released, so you can see all of the teams that will be participating.
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Good article from the Southland Tribune about its three outside region academy recruits.
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I see that Otago has signed Alex Arnold. Disappointing he has left Waikato but he has a big future as a 6. I wouldn't be surprised if he is in the NZ U20s in 2026 or 2027.
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@Bovidae said in School Rugby 2025:
I see that Otago has signed Alex Arnold. Disappointing he has left Waikato but he has a big future as a 6. I wouldn't be surprised if he is in the NZ U20s in 2026 or 2027.
What is he like as a six? Another 195cm hybrid. Or a more agile explosive player? Seems we have a bit of an obsession with our big workhorse blindside/lock options.
Looking at the academy there have been a few other good gets from around the country.
Peni Havea looks a good pick up out of Feilding too.
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@SouthernMann said in School Rugby 2025:
@Bovidae said in School Rugby 2025:
I see that Otago has signed Alex Arnold. Disappointing he has left Waikato but he has a big future as a 6. I wouldn't be surprised if he is in the NZ U20s in 2026 or 2027.
What is he like as a six? Another 195cm hybrid.
That's probably what I would describe Arnold as at this stage. He is a high-workrate player who is very mobile, and has also played lock so a good lineout forward. He captained Hamilton BHS and the Māori U18s so you can find those games on youtube.
Oliver Church is another lock/loose forward from Wellington College.
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@Bovidae said in School Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann said in School Rugby 2025:
@Bovidae said in School Rugby 2025:
I see that Otago has signed Alex Arnold. Disappointing he has left Waikato but he has a big future as a 6. I wouldn't be surprised if he is in the NZ U20s in 2026 or 2027.
What is he like as a six? Another 195cm hybrid.
That's probably what I would describe Arnold as at this stage. He is a high-workrate player who is very mobile, and has also played lock so a good lineout forward. He captained Hamilton BHS and the Māori U18s so you can find those games on youtube.
Oliver Church is another lock/loose forward from Wellington College.
We tend to hoover those sorts of players up.
Looking at the Otago/Southland production/rexruitment line there seems to be an ongoing gap at centre, wing (although looks good for the Highlanders) and no8. Most of the other positions look well catered for. That's why I'm hopeful for Brock Reid down in Southland. He will one I'll key an eye on.
