Tipoki in Hurricanes u18 starting line-up

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

GISBORNE Boys’ High School first 15 openside flanker and skipper Naera Tipoki is in the Hurricanes under-18 run-on rugby team to play their Crusaders counterparts in Christchurch tomorrow.

Tipoki’s school teammate Sam Matenga (prop) and former Ngati Porou East Coast age-group player Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (No.8, from Te Araroa, now at St Kentigern College) are in the reserves.

Representing 10 different schools, seven of the players are from Wellington, seven from Hawke’s Bay, six from Manawatu, two from Poverty Bay, and one from East Coast.

Four players who do not currently attend secondary school in the region qualify under the team’s eligibility criteria based on their age and provincial union affiliation.

Hurricanes u18 coach Darren Larsen is looking forward to the challenge of taking the team to Christchurch for the match, which kicks-off at 2pm.

“It’s been a demanding process to select a squad of 23 players from the huge pool of talent that was available to the team’s selectors. We’re looking forward to the boys implementing their learnings from the development camp this week, resulting in a quality performance.”

Hurricanes high-performance manager, Chris Stirling, is also pleased with the ability of the group and the potential they offer for the future.

“We consider that the Hurricanes Club is extremely fortunate to be able to select a team that represents some of the best youth talent in the region every year. The boys selected will value their opportunity to wear the Hurricanes jersey and become part of a growing tradition of recognising our emerging players.”

The u18 team forms part of the comprehensive programme for teenage rugby administered by the Hurricanes youth rugby council on behalf of the regions eight provincial unions.

“The Hurricanes region is a strong contributor to the strength of New Zealand rugby at all levels, both through our provincial union teams and our Super Rugby affiliation with the Hurricanes,” said council chairman, Gordon Noble-Campbell.

“This team is an important part of growing that link to create future success.”

HURRICANES U-18 sqaud: Xavier Numia (St Patrick’s College), Jacob Devery (Hastings Boys’ High), Tim Farrell (Napier Boys’ High), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellington College), Liam Bauckham (HBHS), Matene Ruawai (Palmerston North BHS), Naera Tipoki (Gisborne Boys’ High), Brayden Iose (PNBHS), Carlos Price (St Kentigern), Lincoln McClutchie (Hastings Boys), Mosese Dawai (Feilding High School) Denny To’o (Rongotai College), reece Plumtree (Wellington College), Vilimoni Koroi (Feilding High School), Connoe Garden-Bachop (Scots College), Te Ariki Te Puni (PNBHS), Keanu Kereru-Symes (HBHS), Sam Matenga (GBHS), Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (St Kentigern), Will Tremain (NBHS), Regan Sword (Marist St Pat’s), Ueta Tufuga (Massey University), Danny Toala (HBHS).