Rotorua talent makes Bay of Plenty squad

One Whakarewarewa player has made the 2016 Bay of Plenty under-19 Squad. PHOTO/FILE.

The 2016 Bay of Plenty Under 19 rugby squad has been announced.

One Whakarewarewa player - Jesse Mason-Grant has made the squad with fellow Whaka team mate Masiu Vanikolo unavailable due to injury.

Cory Sweeney is head coach, with Mike Rogers as his assistant and Sweeney said there was "a lot of quality and potential" in the selected squad.

"This group has been working towards selection since February and have all demonstrated their ability through club rugby and throughout the recent training weeks," he said.

"The upcoming trial and seeding games through August will provide a further opportunity to test the boys against quality opposition as they look to gain selection for tournament.

"We are happy with how the boys have progressed to date and know we have a squad of talented players excited by the challenge of representing Bay of Plenty at the National U/19 tournament."

Former Rotorua Boys' High School student Jessie Williams has been named captain and is excited about the upcoming representative season.

"It was bit of a shock to be named captain this early into the campaign. Once it sunk in, I was honoured and humbled to be leading the boys out for season," he said.

"They're a good bunch of boys who are all striving to do their best.

"Everyone is out there for the same reason, so it's good to know you are going on the field with boys who'll do the job.

"My goal is to lead by example and be someone who the boys respect due to my actions."

2016 under-19 Squad:

Arataki
Paea Lavaka
Sammi Veikoso
Reece MacDonald
Tru Ratan

Greerton Marist
Zane Croswell
David Puchart

Opotiki
Isilei Latuila
Kaleb Maxwell
Ned Fitzgerald

Rangataua
Te Ririnui Kakau

Tauranga Sports
Alex Pohla
Bailey Ransom
Jack Lee
Jacob Abel
Jessie Williams (c)
Josh Honey
Luke Robinson
Saigeon Carmichael

Te Puke Sports
Adam Ballantyne
Brad Armstrong
Cheyenne Dalley
Sam Takai

Te Puna
Angus McDonald
Hunter Mokomoko
Kaydin Budd
Mitch Holton
Tana Tuhakarina

Waikato University (player of origin)
James Woods

Whakarewarewa
Jesse Mason-Grant

Whakatane Marist
Devin Te Tai
Leetham Rawiri

Unavailable due to injury:
Masiu Vanikolo - Whakarewarewa

Bay of Plenty Under 19 Team Management:
Coach: Corey Sweeney
Assistant Coach: Mike Rogers
Manager: Kyle McLean
Assistant Manager: Rich May
Trainer: Levon Grimmer
Physio: Alan Robertson
Video Analyst: Zaan Scott