He said the school normally had 160 players — enough for eight teams. The school would support the Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union in its efforts on behalf of players in the under-14 to u18 age groups for Term 3 (July 20 to September 25).
“By then, everyone involved will know the return-to-rugby protocols, and the things that need to be in place will be, to facilitate local competitions for those age groups,” Turner said.
With a government announcement and subsequent directive from New Zealand Rugby expected on Monday, the first 15 hopes to start training two days later should the green light be given for “prepare to play”.
A hard squad of 27, including 12 returners from 2019, plus an additional nine players in an extended squad have been named by new GBHS head coach and school old boy Ryan Tapsell, who is also the backs and attack coach.
Head of Maori Studies at Boys' High, Tapsell has been a member of the first 15 staff since 2015.
Assistant coach is Kahu Falaoa, who is also forwards and defence coach. Luke Bradley is the trainer, and Janelle Te Rauna-Lamont and Sam Cairns are the managers.
“I've been involved with GBHS teams since 2007 and I'm looking forward to the challenge of taking the first 15,” the 41-year-old Tapsell said.
“Over the years I've had the opportunity to learn from great rugby minds such as the late Craig Callaghan, Tom Cairns, Les Barbara, Te Rua Reihana Tipoki and Mark Jefferson, who all had different ways of looking at the game. That's helped my own development as a coach.
“In the pre-season, our focus was on attacking and defending under pressure, and to execute under those circumstances. We're not big, which is usually the case with GBHS teams, and so we'll look to play an expansive game.”
Before he returned to Gisborne in 2018, trainer Bradley — a GBHS old boy — had spent a decade facilitating rugby in Japan. He coached both the Poverty Bay women's team and Poverty Bay u18 girls last season.
“Before lockdown, the boys were on track fitness-wise and during it they kept us up to date with their progress, sending in their videos,” Bradley said.
“They'll be ready to train on Wednesday next week, if we get the go-ahead. There won't be anything on the menu that won't be of benefit to them and everything will be specific to what they do on the field.”
Gisborne Boys' High first 15 squad: Max Briant, Zeke Collier, Nathaniel Hauiti, Bryan Howard, Von Huata, Matariki Kaa, Whetu King-Taufa, Freedom Lemaua, Isaiah Lemaua, Sione Mafileo, King Maxwell, Adrian McDonald, Hayze Nepia, Kirk Ngatai, Nik Patumaka, Corbyn Peach, Ben Phelps, Tyler Phillips-Keelan, Nic Proffit, Amos Roddick, Kyran Russell, Taimana Teneti, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Setefano Tolu, Sam Twigley, Uetaha Wanoa, Khian Westrupp.
Extended squad members: Caleb Billington, Dylan Bronlund, Noah Collier, Israel Fox, Henare Lardelli, Josh Maka, Reweti Ropiha, Jacob Storey, Karauria Whaitiri-Te Miha.
