New squad brings new talent

Potential future Bay of Plenty Steamers players have been unveiled as part of a new-look under 19 side set to take part in the inaugural National Under 19 Tournament.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union this week announced its 30-strong squad after an extensive talent identification process, including several testing and open training sessions, and trials.

Bay of Plenty's Troy Callander was the latest to be part of the New Zealand Under 20 side. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The inaugural tournament to be held Taupo from September 27 to October 4 will comprise of 16 seeded teams, determined from regional qualifying tournaments and feature one team from each ITM Cup Provincial Union, a second team from Auckland RFU due to their strong player numbers, and a representative team from the 12 Heartland Unions.

The three game tournament week is preceded by seeding games against Counties and Waikato.

Bay of Plenty Under 19 coach Brendon Webb is excited about the opportunity to advance players for selection into National Under 20 training camps later in the year and the Steamers in the next year or two.

'We would like to thanks all players who attended these sessions and congratulations to the ones who made it into the squad,” says Webb.

The New Zealand Rugby Union's recent announcement of a new National U19 competition, will provide great opportunities for recent school leavers to showcase their talent in front of national U20 selectors.

Historically there is a drop-off in numbers from school to club rugby, so this initiative is aimed at player retention and keeping players in the game.

Bay of Plenty U19 Squad 2014: Aidan Ross-Te Puke, Miro Mitchell- Mount, Sake Pene-Latu-Greerton, Matt Toward-Tauranga, Reiwhaiti Heremia-Paroa, Rudi Moses-Raungatua, Mahe Tuai-Greerton, Troy Webber-Te Puna, Logan Gies-Mount, Larrs Morrice - Te Puke, Brady Hodge - Rotoiti Keanu Manuel - Rotoiti, Troy Draffin - Te Puke, Keanu Taumata - Rotoiti, Josh White – Rotoiti, Sonny Collier – Opotiki, Logan Norman - Kahukura, Matt Abbot – Greerton, Jackson Edwards - Mount, Kingi Te Amo - Whakatane Marist, Keegan Long - Te Puna, Mana Williams - Whakatane Marist, Resden Hirama - Te Puna, Jayden Tane - Te Puke, Ryan Henstock - Te Puna, George Honey - Tauranga, Campbell Maunsell - Rotoiti Declan Barnett - Te Puke, Dylan Townsend - Te Puna, Wemin Kapi - Tauranga.

The first training is on Thursday 31 July at Paengaroa at 6pm

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