"The aim is to play Ross Shield for three years," Kautai said.
She is full of praise for the input her respective club coaches Tahi Ioane and Reva Joseph have had on her careers.
Joseph is also on the West team's coaching staff.
Kautai and Deijah Tuliau join Tui Kate Bradshaw and former Tui Ngahuri Thompson as females who have played for West. After a win against Central and a close loss to a Hastings Boys' High School F grade team, Kautai is confident West will perform well in the six-team tournament which begins on Tuesday and ends on Saturday.
A big fan of All Black captain Richie McCaw, Kautai, plans to become a fulltime rugby player when she leaves school.
Her form next week against opponents, many of whom will be two years her senior, will give her a gauge as to whether or not those plans are the right ones.
Another of the West coaches, Flaxmere Primary School teacher Haisley Robson, said year-six is only a number and Kautai held her own in every facet of the game at the West trial.
"She's not lacking in size, strength and ticker and goes toe to toe with the boys when it comes to physical contact ... and for a Year 6 girl she's got a bit of speed," Robson said.
Mahora School's Vikta Tevita is the other year six player in the West team.
"We're a little thin on numbers with only one intermediate school to pick from in Heretaunga where there is only one player from this year.
"But we're giving an opportunity to players who might have missed out had they been in the Napier area or the Hastings East area," Robson added.
DRAWS
Tuesday: 1pm Central v Hastings West; 2pm Wairoa v Dannevirke; 3.15pm Napier v Hastings East.
Wednesday: 1pm Central v Hastings East; 2pm Napier v Wairoa; 3.15pm Hastings West v Dannevirke.
Thursday: 1pm Napier v Dannevirke; 2pm Wairoa v Central; 3.15pm Hastings East v Hastings West.
Friday: 1pm Wairoa v Hastings West; 2pm Napier v Central; 3.15pm Dannevirke v Hastings East.
Saturday: 1pm Hastings East v Wairoa; 12 noon Central v Dannevirke; 1.15pm Hastings West v Napier.
TEAMS
Hastings East: Corban Te Whaiti, A-One Lolofie, Dewald Botha, Daemon Brough, Daniel Minogue, Crighton Murphy, Mark Vennell, Wesley Akeripa, Caleb Horsefield, Cooper Flanders, Mefi Tupou, Cleveland Cassidy-Waapu, Adam Bibby, Manaia Lambert, Art Thompson, Josh Tomlinson, Ethan Miller, Jack Hutton, Samuel Halford, Finn Calder, Troydyn Bird, Ryan Ashman.
Bayer Hastings West: Macabe King, Manahi Goulton, Mitchell Curran, Kaleb Pirie, Jade Anderson, Jarvyais Mangu, T-Vahny Tuliau, Arama Kite, George Charteris, Kershaw Waerea, Zac Brooker, Deijah Tuliau, Eldius Alainuuese (Oli), Donovan Godinet, Elijah Mataira, Francis Utalia, Fraser Taurima-Heperi, Vikita Tevita, Hoani Walker, Montell Bishop, Takitaki Kepu, Harmony Kautai.
Central: Jock Kilmister, Rhys Baker, Josh Cudby, Ben White, Will Laver, Sterling Strong, Callum Shanks, Harry Stephenson, Ben Jeffries, Pryce Chamberlain, Jakob Kittow, Bradley Roys-Smith, Bailey Carter, Savahn Kotua, Oliver Wichman, Will Henderson, William Rickey, Cameron Kennedy, Guy von Dadelszen, Fergus Lourie, Tauri Maniapoto-Cheer, Carlos Ellmers.
Dannevirke: Joshua Rautahi, Hayden Bell, Zane Madden, Lachlan Christian, James Smyth, Orin Baker, Cody Borlase, Tawera Rautahi, James Steele, Hoera Stephenson, Shea Hewitt, Dougal Kerr, Tama Nikora, Jacob Teller, Mauger Paewai, Duncan Hall, Henry Boyden, Siah Paki-Burkin, Reuben Davis, Tritin Peeti-Webber, Giles Lewis, Isaac Carberry.
Napier: Rakai Henare, Kunta Tawhai, Titan Cook, Dashan Peihopa-Edwards, Tommy Fergusson, Kere Penitito, Chaz Heke, Jamie Ross, Phillip King-Panapa, Carlos Kemp, Kahurangi Beamsley-Allan, Tama Chapman, Jayden Stok, Dante Kururangi, Tipene Maxwell, Cameron Dawson, Kingshouse Tupuola, Eli Rore, John Teddy, Bradley Campbell, Treyah Kingi-Taukamo, Anthony Faumui.
Wairoa: Stone Smith, Paora Barber, Tylah Taumata, Braydon Tanirau, Hugh Taylor, Te Mana Po Meihana, Kaihau Pasikala, Paora Edwards, Archie Harding, Te Mahia Keil, Cameron Spence, Von Huata, Hani CeJay Waiwai, Holden Jane, Sam Edwards, Amber-Jane McKenzie, Leroy Tipoke, Kalaney Ruwhiu, Rakai McCafferty, Taane Manuel, Te Kauhu Barber.
