Rugby: Six Hawke's Bay players make national team

NBHS centre Leo Thompson was one of six Hawke's Bay players selected in the New Zealand Maori under-18 team. Photo / File

You don't have to attend a Super 8 school if you want to crack a national rugby side.

That was the advice from Karamu High School first XV inside back Samuel Walton-Sexton after he was named in the New Zealand Maori under-18 team yesterday.

He was one of six Hawke's Bay players selected in the side to play the New Zealand Schools Barbarians on Thursday and Fiji Schools on October 5 in Wellington.

"You will crack these sort of teams if you are willing to work hard," Walton-Sexton said.

An 18-year-old Year 13 student, who is equally comfortable in the halfback and first five-eighth positions, Walton-Sexton, was grateful for the support he got from his first XV coaches John Reid, Elijah Martin and his father Shannon Sexton.

A former Hawke's Bay under-14, 16 and 18 rep, Walton-Sexton hopes to become a professional player in the near future.

"Whether it's for the Magpies or overseas, getting paid to play would be a good thing."

Walton-Sexton has several options for next year including a job offer on the Gold Coast and apprenticeships in the Bay.

The other five Bay players selected were the Napier Boys' High School trio of prop Jayden Walker, centre Leo Thompson and lock Tiaki Fabish and the Hastings Boys' High School pair of hooker Damarus Hokianga and midfield back Jordan Thompson-Dunn.

Former Te Aute College first five-eighth Raniera Peterson was also selected. A product of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Academy, Peterson, played club rugby for the Upper Hutt Rams this year.

The 25 players were identified through regional and national camps and selected on form from school, regional and club rugby. New Zealand Māori Board Chairwoman Dr Farah Palmer said it was an exciting programme for the team.

"This team and the programme that it is part of, embodies the principles of Poutamatanga and Taumatatanga that drive Māori Rugby.

"We are very proud of the large number of Māori players who have already been selected to attend the New Zealand Schools camp. Selecting talented Māori players in this team enables us to identify, develop and encourage our next generation of players to show their talent at this level within a Māori environment," Palmer added.