Rugby: Seven from Rotorua in rep squad

Nikki Jacobs, with ball, is among the Rotorua players selected for the Bay of Plenty team competing in the Northern Regions Roller Mills competition. Photo / Stephen Parker

A Bay of Plenty team has been named for the up-coming Northern Regions Roller Mills competition.

The best players from the Tai Mitchell rugby tournament, an under-13 rugby competition held in Rotorua recently, have been chosen to represent the Bay of Plenty.

Seven players from Rotorua have been selected - Sean Field, Christopher Werner, Jordan Tuakana-Hudson, Jack Henry-Hapeta, Caleb Piua, Nikki Jacobs (all Rotorua Maroon) and Jayden Tapsell (Rotorua Gold).

The Northern Regions Roller Mills competition kicks off on Sunday, August 31, and goes on for five weeks.

The Bay of Plenty team will play matches against Northland, North Harbour, Auckland West and Thames Valley before the playoffs in October.

Bay of Plenty coach Cliff Honey said the side had plenty of depth this year.

"From the Tai Mitchell, we saw huge depth. Some good players missed out this year.

"We can see the excellent coaching coming through from junior rugby level, and this allows us as coaches to concentrate on structure and game plans as opposed to basic coaching skills.

"This really takes the pressure off. We have selected players based on how we want to play the game.

"With the rule of each player gets half a game each, we will make sure all players are as strong as each other so we're coming out strong after any player changes."

The 2014 Bay of Plenty squad

Thomas Murray-Edwards, Tyzak Rhind, Taiwhanake Waka-Peters, Jake Broadmore, Jack McManaway, Lucas Cashmore (all Tauranga West), Melino Fotu, James Austin, Ethan Stuart, Mitchell Irwin, Ethan Robb, George Mano (Tauranga East), Sean Field, Christopher Werner, Jordan Tuakana-Hudson, Jack Henry-Hapeta, Caleb Piua, Nikki Jacobs (Rotorua Maroon), Brock Russell, Te Ao Himiona, Ezra Pretley (Te Puke), Chas Wiremu, Rori McGough (Opotiki), Jayden Tapsell (Rotorua Gold), Ngamura Maui (Rangitaiki).