Axtens creating big impression

Grant Hansen has been around New Zealand Secondary Schools scene for a few years - but hasn't seen anybody like Reporoa's Carl Axtens for some time.
"I think he's the most exciting player I've seen for years," says Hansen, who is head coach for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team, which takes on Australia in New Plymouth today.
Hansen has been involved with the side for the past five years and Axtens, son of former Bay of Plenty Steamers captain and Counties/Manukau rep Steve Axtens, has left a deep impression in his first year in the side.
"He's got a huge future and potentially, he can be back in the team again next year," said Hansen. Axtens was one of the standout players on the team's recent two-match tour to Samoa where they won both games in sizzling conditions.
The just turned 17-year-old is the youngest in the team but is proving his versatility, playing No 8 in their opener against a Samoan XV and stepping into the locking role for the official test.
"I told the coach I'd play anywhere as long as I was on the field," said the 1.90m, 103kg athletic footballer.
Axtens was to be back at his more favoured No 8 position against the Australians today. "It's going to be pretty hard but good to watch ...
"The boys will be able to put on a pretty good showing, especially after [Australia] tripped us up last year," Axtens said.
He has been a New Zealand under-17 representative for two years and a member of Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's pre-academy programme.
Axtens and fellow 2008 Reporoa College first XV loose forward Sam Cane are expected to go to school at Tauranga Boys' High School next season on Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Academy scholarships.
Academy manager Dean Jennings said final details were being ironed out but they were excited by the prospects of the pair, who had been on the radar of most major unions.
Axtens said the prospect of going into the academy fulltime would help him to achieve his long term future goals.
"The ultimate thing would be to play rugby professionally and travel the world. Being an All Black - that'd be pretty wicked."
Axtens is Reporoa College's first New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby representative.