New Zealand Schools and Barbarians Schools squads named for international matches

New Zealand Schools and Barbarians Schools squads named for international matches

The 2015 New Zealand Schools and Barbarians Schools squads have been named today by All Blacks legend and New Zealand Barbarians President Bryan Williams and New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby Council Chairman Garry Chronican.

The two will face one another in Palmerston North on Saturday before New Zealand Schools departs for a three match international series in Australia.

The series, to be played at venues across Brisbane between Thursday 24 September – Friday 2 October, will see New Zealand Schools play Samoa Schools, Australia Schools and Australia Schools Barbarians.

The 26-man New Zealand Schools squad sees a solid Wellington representation with both sides welcoming back players from the 2014 selection.

New Zealand Schools:

First name	Surname	School	Position	Provincial Union
Harrison	Allan	St Andrew’s College	Prop	Canterbury
Asafo	Aumua	St Patrick’s College – Silverstream	Hooker	Wellington
Joshua	Buchan	Otago Boys’ High School	Fullback	Otago
Caleb	Clarke	Mt Albert Grammar School	Wing	Auckland
Wiseguy	Faiane	Auckland Grammar School	First Five	Auckland
Alex	Fidow	Scots College	Prop	Wellington
Losi	Filipo	St Patrick’s College – Silverstream	Wing	Wellington
Tom	Florence	New Plymouth Boys’ High School	Lock / Loose Forward	Taranaki
Liam	Giltrap	Palmerston North Boys’ High School	Loose Forward	Manawatu
Kemara	Hauiti-Parapara	Wellington College	Halfback	Wellington
Tim	Hogan	Otago Boys’ High School	Halfback	Otago
Brodie	McAlister	Shirley Boys’ High School	Hooker	Canterbury
Slade	McDowall	Otago Boys’ High School	Loose Forward	Otago
Joshua	McKay	Christchurch Boys’ High School	First Five	Canterbury
Marino	Mikaele-Tu’u	Hastings Boys’ High School	Loose Forward	Hawkes Bay
Xavier	Numia	St Patrick’s College – Wellington	Prop	Wellington
Dalton	Papalii	St Kentigern College	Loose Forward	Auckland
Ben	Power	Hutt International Boys’ School	Hooker	Wellington
Sevuloni	Reece	Hamilton Boys’ High School	Wing	Waikato
Samuel	Slade	Mt Albert Grammar School	Lock	Auckland
William	Tucker	St Bede’s College	Lock	Canterbury
Peter	Umaga-Jensen	Scots College	Midfield	Wellington
Thomas	Umaga-Jensen	Scots College	Midfield	Wellington
To’o Junior (TJ)	Vaega	Kelston Boys’ High School	Wing	Auckland
Isaia	Walker-Leawere	Gisborne Boys’ High School	Lock	Poverty Bay
Takaji	Young Yen	King’s College	Prop	Auckland

New Zealand Schools Coach Dave Hewett said he was pleased with the mix of experience and ability in the squad.

“This year the calibre of talent across the College XV programme was particularly high, with consistent performances throughout making for the final selection for the team pretty difficult – which is what you want.

“Having such versatility across positions, along with the experience of 2014 returning players Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Losi Filipo, means we have a really well-balanced side that should perform well throughout the series.

“These guys have played great rugby throughout the season with each and every one fully deserving of the black jersey. I’m looking forward to seeing them develop in the weeks and months ahead.”

New Zealand Barbarians Schools:

First name	Surname	School	Position	Provincial Union
Sione	Asi	Otago Boys’ High School	Prop	Otago
Joshua	Brown	St Patrick’s College – Silverstream	Loose Forward	Wellington
Thomas	Christie	Shirley Boys’ High School	Loose Forward	Canterbury
Ryan	Coxon	St Peter’s Collegiate	Prop	Waikato
Tiaan	Falcon	Lindisfarne College	First Five	Hawkes Bay
Tim	Farrell	Napier Boys’ High School	Prop	Hawkes Bay
Melino	Fineanganofo	Auckland Grammar School	Halfback	Auckland
Brayden	Iose	Palmerston North Boys’ High School	Loose Forward	Manawatu
James	Little	Takapuna Grammar School	Midfield	North Harbour
Isitolo	Maka	Sacred Heart College	Lock	Auckland
Ciarahn	Matoe	King’s College	First Five	Auckland
Antonio	Mikaele-Tu’u	Hastings Boys’ High School	Wing	Hawkes Bay
Ajay	Mua	King’s College	Loose Forward	Auckland
Jona	Nareki	Feilding Agricultural High School	Wing	Manawatu
Raymond	Nuu	St Andrew’s College	Midfield	Canterbury
Stephen	Perofeta	Wanganui Collegiate	Fullback	Wanganui
Jacob	Pierce	Rosmini College	Lock	North Harbour
Antonio	Ripata	Auckland Grammar School	Prop	Auckland
Ben	Sau	De La Salle College	Lock	Auckland
Thomas	Stewart	Feilding Agricultural High School	Halfback	Manawatu
Bailyn	Sullivan	King’s College	Midfield	Auckland
Samisoni	Taukei’aho	St Paul’s Collegiate	Hooker	Waikato
Flynn	Thomas	Southland Boys’ High School	Hooker	Southland
Samuel	Toa	Hamilton Boys’ High School	Fullback	Waikato
Freedom	Vaha’akolo	Auckland Grammar School	Wing	Auckland

New Zealand Barbarians Coach Darren Larsen said the squad had all the attributes required to make them a competitive side this weekend – but also into the future.

“I’m really excited about the group of players we have selected as I think that combined, they make a squad with the right mix of x-factor and toughness.

“We have a good blend of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ with the return of 2014 players Antonio Ripata, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Sione Asi who understand the level of performance required and can share their knowledge with the others.

“We’re looking forward to getting out there on Saturday and giving the New Zealand Schools some stiff competition.

“However, with six Year 12 players also in the group, we are equally as excited about what the future may hold for the side.”

New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarians Schools fixtures:

Date: Saturday 19 September
Who: NZ Schools v NZ Barbarians Schools
Venue: Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Time: 12.30pm

Date: Thursday 24 September
Who: NZ Schools v Samoa Schools
Venue: Sunnybank RFC, Brisbane
Time: 1pm local; 3pm NZ

Date: Monday 28 September
Who: NZ Schools v Australian Barbarians Schools
Venue: St Joseph’s College, Brisbane
Time: 6pm local; 8pm NZ

Date: Friday 2 October
Who: NZ Schools v Australia Schools
Venue: Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Time: 6pm local; 8pm NZ

SKY TV Schedule:
A highlights package from the matches played in Australia will be broadcast on SKY TV following the New Zealand Schools v Australia Schools match. Please refer to upcoming television guides for further details.