The Bay of Plenty Under-19 and Development rugby squads have been selected.
BOP Under-19 head coach Cory Sweeney has named his side to take on Taranaki Under-19 at Blake Park today (kick-off 12pm), in their first match up for the representative season.
"After several months of preparation the under-19 representative season has arrived. We have named a talented group of young men that deserve their selection for this weekend's game against Taranaki," Sweeney said.
"The three seeding games leading into the national tournament is an exciting challenge as all teams will provide quality opposition, but we are confident in our build up and we have a capable squad of 30 players all worthy of this opportunity to represent Bay of Plenty."
BOP Under-19 team will be captained by Tauranga Sports prop Jesse Williams.
BOP Under-19 team v Taranaki
1. Jesse Williams (c), 2.
Jesse Mason, 3. Sami Veikoso, 4. Bailey Ransom, 5. Ned Fitzgerald, 6. Kaydin Budd, 7. Angus McDonald, 8. Paea Lavaka, 9. Jacob Abel, 10. Reece MacDonald, 11. James Woods, 12. Brad Armstrong, 13. Leethan Rawiri, 14. Hunter Mokomoko, 15. Josh Honey. Reserves: 16. Cheyenne Dalley, 17. Te Ririnui Kakau, 18. Jack Lee, 19. Mitch Holton, 20. Mana Howe, 21. Zane Croswell, 22. Tana Tuhakarina, 23. David Puchert.
Coach: Cory Sweeney, Assistant Coach: Mike Rogers, Manager: Kyle McLean.
The 2016 Bay of Plenty Development squad has also been announced with fixtures yet to be confirmed. The squad provides an exciting mix of experienced and young promising players.
Te Puke Sports coach Craig Jeffries and Arataki's Marty Bourke are head coaches for the Development side. They will be joined by assistant coaches Craig Edwards (Whakatane Marist) and set piece coach Matt Wallis (Te Puke Sports).
"This year's squad is well represented by a number of Bay of Plenty clubs, which is a reflection of the competitive nature of the club competition this year," Jeffries said.
"It is a really exciting group of players with genuine X-factor throughout."
BOP Development squad:
Arataki:
Taraipi Daniels, Warrick Lyn, Darren Tuimalu
Greerton Marist:
Gregory Bannister, Josh Evemy, Andrew Hill, Taylor Jones
Mount Maunganui:
Arron Carroll, Pera Gibbs, Tamanui Hill, Leigh Hughes, Miro Mitchell, Brynn Uriarau, Jonty Wood
Paroa:
Solomone Funaki, Maikeli Sivo
Rangataua:
Kemble Frost, Akira Mako
Rotoiti:
Logan Henry
Tauranga Sports:
Dan Crowther, Nick Evemy
Te Puke Sports:
Hayden Anderson, Declan Barnett, Lars Morrice, Chulian Mabett-Sowerby
Te Puna:
Hamish Boyce, Keegan Long
Whakarewarewa:
Maake Taulahi
Whakatane Marist:
Jone Lagibola, Epeli Naiabokitoga, Tomasi Ravouvou
Not considered due to injury: Caleb Hall, Chauncey Edwardson, Graydon Scheres, Beau Williams, Ngati Kingi
Bay of Plenty Development Team Management: Coaches: Craig Jeffries and Marty Bourke; Assistant Coach: Craig Edwards; Set Piece Coach: Matt Wallis