University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament set to kick-off

University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament is set to showcase the up and coming rugby talent within Chiefs Country. The tournament proudly sponsored by University of Waikato will see Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Taranaki and Waikato’s respective Under 16 sides take to the field from Monday 30 September through to Thursday 3 October.

Teams will compete across three days with hosts Taranaki kicking off the tournament against Waikato at 5.00pm, followed by Counties Manukau and Bay of Plenty at 7.00pm. Both games will take place at TET Stadium, Inglewood on Monday 30 September, before the tournament moves to New Plymouth Boys’ High School for day two (Tuesday 1 October) and the final round robin matches on Thursday 3 October.

The University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament will not only deliver fiercely competitive rugby, the Chiefs Rugby Club will facilitate an educational day for players, coaches and parents. The educational day will be dedicated towards enhancing player’s development both on and off the field. Players, coaches and parents will be educated on physical preparation, injury management, nutrition, social media and the Chiefs Rugby Club and New Zealand Rugby player pathways.

Chiefs Rugby Club player ID and development manager Kent Currie said it will be great to see another generation of talented individuals proudly compete for their province.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for players of this age group to represent their province. For many players it will be their first opportunity to represent their home provinces. It forms the foundation of the Chiefs Rugby Club development pathway.”

Chiefs Rugby Club chief executive officer Michael Collins said the tournament provides an opportunity for the provincial unions within the Chiefs region to collectively work together.

“This tournament is a great collaboration from our provincial unions. It provides our next generation the chance to showcase their talent, create new friendships and seek knowledge on how they can develop as individuals.”

Collins finished acknowledging the contribution Taranaki Rugby Football Union has made to deliver this year’s tournament.

“Thank you to Taranaki Rugby Football Union for delivering the tournament on behalf of the provincial unions involved. We know it will be a great tournament to be a part of and wish all those involved; players, coaches, team managers, officials and facilitators all the very best for a successful tournament,” finished Collins.

Following the conclusion of the University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament a University of Waikato Tournament team will be selected from the participating provincial unions alongside a selection of approximately 60 individuals who will partake in a Chiefs Rugby Club Under 17’s Development camp at a later date.

The tournament format is as follows:
Monday 30th September 2019: TET Stadium, Inglewood
5.00pm Kick off: Taranaki vs Waikato
7.00pm Kick off: Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty

Tuesday 1st October 2019: New Plymouth Boys’ High School, New Plymouth
12.00pm Kick off: Bay of Plenty vs Waikato
2.00pm Kick off: Taranaki vs Counties Manukau

Wednesday 2nd October 2019: Education Day, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, New Plymouth
9.30am – 12.00pm

Thursday 3rd October 2019: New Plymouth Boys’ High School, New Plymouth
12.00pm Kick off: Counties Manukau vs Waikato
2.00pm Kick off: Taranaki vs Bay of Plenty

Chiefs Regions Under 16 team lists competing:
Bay of Plenty:
Austin Anderson
Bless Perese-Elliot
Brayden Dew
Carlos Allen
Chayse Harley
Flynn Simmons
Issac Tai
Jaden Marra
Jericho Yorke
Kobie Borell
Logo Falanai
Mitchell Howe
Ngakohu Walker (Captain)
Patukino Williams
Quinton Landman
Rayn-Hard Peka-Tekuru
Ruben Chisholm
Ryan Nicholson
Shae Tutaki
Slade Baker-Taingahue
Sloane Lankshear (Vice Captain)
Toby Taylor
Tomasi Vakasiuola
Trevel Gardiner-Hano
Whareporera Hare-Herbert

Bay of Plenty Management:
Coaches: Aaron Bidois, Hamish Boyce and Lance Macdonald
Manager: Owen Hohaia
Campaign Manager: Kyle McLean

Counties Manukau:
Adam Faalolo
Asipeli (Peli) Fotofili
Billy Tomu
Boston Morete
Cohen Brady-Leathem
Daniel Lagalaga-Slade
Devan Gardiner
Diesel Lee-Jakeman
Edward Honemau’u
Esala Junior Tolutau’u
Isi Taimikovi
Jeremiah Pole
Kurtis Hana
Lenzs Morunga
Liukhane De-Thierry Rhind
Luke Lentner
Monty Anitoni
Paul Filimoekava
Regan Atamu
Ryan Michie
Siosiua Tu’uta
Soolua Lemalu
Timothy Banks
Viliame Tuisuva
Zannyo Tauvale-Crichton

Counties Manukau Management:
Coaches: Shaun Atamu, Siosiua Pole, Vuga Tagicakibau
Managers: Nikki Bhana, Shey Eva

Taranaki:
Josh Keech
Jacob Mitchell
Kade Saxton
Che Potaka
Michael Appert
Maz Wisnewski
Cullen Luckin
Topia Barrowcliffe
Max White
Tom Morris
Blake Christie
Xavier Sofeni
Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota
Noah Callaghan
Hunter Boyes
Caleb Davis
Jaron Dombroski
Ben Hughes
Blake Hereora
Blake Irvine
Jakob Erb
Josh Wallace
Brooklyn Greer-Atkins
Logan Mitchell
Jack Graystone
Jacob Whittle

Taranaki Management:
Head Coach: Kris Campbell
Assistant Coaches: Liam Ward and Chris Robinson
Manager: Angela Robinson
Assistant Manager: Anna Campbell

Waikato:
Andrew Smith
Beau Pert
Ben Strang
Cameron Street
Charles Salesi
Cody Nordstrom
Dawson Smith
Dean Ralph
Dredon Wharawhara
Edmund White
Gabe Robinson
George Reeves
Joel Cox
Jonty Short
Kahn Caddy
Keran Van Staden
Lincoln Winter
Malachi Wrampling
Moses McGoon
Niah Church
Sean Ralph
Taha Kemara
Te Poria Marsh
Thomas Came

Waikato Management:
Head Coach: Elliot Sharp
Assistant Coaches: Ryan Marra and Dion Berryman
Manager: Mike Gregan
Video Analyst: Nate Hopkins
Physio: Marinus Du Preez