Rugby: Napier Boys' High prop Jayden Walker pick of Canes crop

Napier Boys' High School prop Jayden Walker (right) gets down to business during the recent match against Hastings Boys' High School. Photo/File

Remember the name of Napier Boys' High School first XV rugby team's loosehead prop Jayden Walker.

The fact he's been named in the Hurricanes under-18 squad as a year 12 student suggests he's going places. The fact he didn't start playing rugby until he reached secondary school age adds to the significance of his story.

"I'm pretty excited about the Canes. I played a little bit of softball when I was young and only got involved in rugby because dad encouraged me," he said, referring to former MAC fullback Rana Walker.

Despite his limited rugby Walker, 16, is ranked the best prop in the 50-strong squad.

Hurricanes Super Rugby team's scrum coach Dan Cron was among those impressed by his talent at a Hurricanes under-17 camp last year.

A 2017 Hawke's Bay under-16 rep, Walker, heaped kudos on the quality coaching he received from that side's coach Matt Wyatt and the likes of former Magpies prop Jarvy Aoake during Hawke's Bay front row factory coaching sessions last year.

"I hope to have a career as a professional rugby player but if it doesn't work out I will chase a trade," Walker said in the countdown to today's away match against another unbeaten Super 8 outfit in Hamilton Boys' High School.

"I'm happy on either side of the scrum but I prefer loosehead."

He pointed out he has done some research on Hamilton and discovered they have a strong scrum and lineout. At the same time he is happy with the progress the Sky Blues are making.

"We are working as a team and not being too individualistic."

Walker's father is thrilled with his son's form.

"He has already exceeded his father's career. He's got pretty good genes ... his grandmother is a Paewai so that helps."

Walker is one of eight NBHS players named in the Hurricanes squad.

The others are fellow prop Patrick Teddy, captain and hooker Tyrone Thompson, lock Tiaki Fabish, flanker Josh Gimblett, No 8 Luke Russell and midfielders Keegan Christian-Goss and Leo Thompson.

NBHS coach Brendon Ratcliffe has again made limited changes.

Fabish replaces the injured Oskar Lynch and regular centre Leo Thompson returns from injury to replace Jack Sheridan who returns to the wing in a move which sees Max Anderson return to the pine.

"Hamilton are one of the powerhouses of New Zealand Secondary School rugby. They are as close to a professional operation as you can get. None of our squad have been in a winning team against Hamilton at any level.

But we've got a great opportunity and aren't going up there to come second. It's a matter of doing the simple things right and we have to play better and harder than we did last week," Ratcliffe said referring to last weekend's 26-12 win over Tauranga Boys' College.

Joint defending champions Hastings Boys' High School will have an away fixture against Rotorua Boys' High School. This will be the Hastings team's first televised Super 8 fixture of the season.

Rotorua have had one loss this season, 28-27 against Hamilton Boys' High School, who shared the title with Hastings last year.

Three Hastings Boys' High School players, captain and loosie Liam Udy-Johns, hooker Damarus Hokianga and winger Michael Naitokani, have made the Hurricanes under-18 squad for the July 9-15 camp in Napier.

At the end of the camp two teams will be named to take on Blues XVs in Taupo on July 15.

The Napier Boys' High School team for today is:
Pereiha Hubbard, Jack Sheridan, Leo Thompson, Keegan Christian-Goss, Jayden Stok, Henry Williams, Angus Kilmister, Luke Russell, Sam Henderson, Josh Gimblett, Tiaki Fabish, Frank Lochore, Patrick Teddy, Tyrone Thompson, Jayden Walker. Substitutes: Forwards, Haydn Davis, Manaaki Aranui, Rob Slabberkorn, Austin Soanai. Backs, Treyah Kingi-Taukamo, Qunta Tawhai, Max Anderson.