Northland youngster Peter Prime's elevation up the rugby league ranks has continued with selection in Tawera Nikau's 2004 New Zealand Maori squad to compete in the Pacific Cup next month.
Prime joins fellow Northlander Taite Daniels in the side in what promises to be the biggest occasion of the youngsters fledgling
career.
"Tawera said I would be playing hooker and to keep playing like I was in the Bartercard Cup," Prime said following his Northland team's loss to Taranaki at the weekend.
"This is the biggest thing for me in my career, I am stoked, I will be really proud to represent my family and all of Northland."
The former Bay of Islands College head-boy played his first game of league as a 14-year-old and quickly made his mark in the code, winning selection in the New Zealand Secondary Schools and New Zealand Maori under-18 sides before making his Northland representative debut last year at just 18.
The wiry hooker, who plays Northland club league for Moerewa, secured a contract in the Hibiscus Coast Bartercard Cup team early this season and his elusive attacking skills and fearless tackling obviously caught the eye of former Kiwi player, now Maori coach Nikau, who had his leg amputated last year following a motorbike accident.
Prime, who scored a record 10 tries in a club match for Moerewa last season, was dominant in Northland's first match against Taranaki at Inglewood nine days ago before going off at halftime following a head clash. He was more subdued in Northland's loss at the weekend.
The Pacific Cup Tournament, to be played at North Harbour Stadium and Ericsson Stadium No.2 from October 17-23, is contested between NZ Maori, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
New Zealand Maori team will seek direction from experienced former professional players Sonny Whakarau and Odell Manuel.
New Zealand Maori Rugby League team is:
Peter Prime (Nld), Taite Daniels (Nld), Sam Andrews, Kurt Cawdron, Teteira Davis, Willy Henare, Aoterangi Herangi, Charlie Herekotukutuku, Nathan Hohaia, Shane Hoskin, Odell Manuel, Tukua Matthews, Vern Moana-Mason, Glen Rota, Kererua Savage, Barry Tawera, Sonny Whakarau, Mike Whakatihi, Vince Whare.
