Rugby: HBRFU Academy Player of the Year

HUGE PROMISE: Andy Lowe, left, presents the Graeme Lowe award for the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union's Academy Player of the Year to Pouri Rakete-Stones. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Rugby

Pouri Rakete-Stones heaped kudos on his older sister Nancy after becoming the inaugural winner of the Graeme Lowe award for the Hawke's Bay Rugby Academy Player of the Year.

"Nancy was my motivation. She represented Hawke's Bay through the age groups in basketball and netball but got injured two years ago and has yet to come back," prop Rakete-Stones said after receiving the award during the Hawke's Bay union's Legends Dinner on Saturday night.

"This is a huge honour. I just love playing rugby and I know I have to work hard to achieve my goals. I have to thank mum [Wendy] and dad [Pouri snr] too."

Earlier this year, Rakete-Stones, 19, was rewarded for his work when he was selected for the New Zealand under-20 team for their Oceania tournament in Australia.

He just missed out on making the team again for the June World Cup in Manchester but is eligible for the Baby Blacks again next year.

"Making the team for next year's World Cup in Georgia is the big goal. I want to play well for the under-20s and hopefully crack the Magpies. I know I'm up against some pretty big boys for the under-20s but I'm banking on my technique," Rakete-Stones said.

A Hawke's Bay age group rep through the grades and product of Napier Boys' High School, Rakete-Stones, has impressed Magpies head coach and New Zealand under-20s assistant coach Craig Philpott with his strength.

This is a tribute to the powerlifting, strongman and wood chopping background of his father.

The Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports premier club player agreed the award was the ideal form of consolation for his Hawke's Bay under-19 team's disappointing 12th placing at the national under-19 tournament which ended in Taupo last week.

"We had a few injuries on the last day but we could have done better. It's time to put that disappointment behind me and move on," Rakete-Stones said.

His award is named after former union patron Graeme Lowe who died in 2012. He had sponsored the union for more than 30 years.

His son Andy Lowe said his father had always supported youth and his family was keen to continue the legacy.

The trophy is based on a photo of former Magpie, the late Jarrod Cunningham, kicking a ball.

It has been crafted by Hawke's Bay sculptor Russ Evenson and is cast in bronze. Commitment, loyalty, work ethic and promise are all factors taken into account during the judging for the award.

Four future All Blacks, Bryn Evans, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford and Brodie Retallick, have been judged the academy player of the year previously. All but one of the other six have gone on to gain Super Rugby selection.

Previous winners of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Academy Player of the Year award are:

2006 Bryn Evans, 2007 Israel Dagg, 2008 Zac Guildford, 2009 Richard Buckman, 2010 Ihaia West, 2011 Brodie Retallick, 2012 Brendon Edmonds, 2013 Jason Long, 2014 Geoff Cridge and 2015 Hugh Renton.

• The Hawke's Bay under-16 rugby team has to beat Wellington at their Hurricanes tournament in Palmerston North today to secure a final berth.

Yesterday Hawke's Bay were beaten 28-22 by Manawatu after trailing 15-5 at halftime.

Hooker Damarus Hokianga-Heather provided some good-quality impact off the subs' bench.

Patrick Teddy impressed in both the flanker and hooker positions and No 8 Sam Henderson was another loosie to shine for the Bay.

• Captain and openside flanker Pouvi Fatialofa led the Hawke's Bay Samoan rugby team by example as they opened their Hurricanes region competition with a 37-19 win against defending champions Horowhenua-Kapiti in Levin on Saturday.

Hooker Lani Latu was another powerful figure in the Bay pack and winger Misi Lealaisalano was the pick of the Bay backs.