Simpkins happy to have big talent pool

Former Steamers player Steve Simpkins has a dilemma all rugby coaches would love to have. Too much talent for one team.

Simpkins is head coach of the under-14 Central Bay of Plenty rugby team, which is taking part in the new Chiefs franchise age group competition.

The competition was put in place to give under-14 and under-15 age group players in the Chiefs' regions the opportunity for representative rugby, Simpkins said.

Simpkins - and his coaching staff of Craig Hodges, Tony Moore and Lauren Simpkins - are in charge of the team made up from secondary schools from within the Rotorua area.

His team's season opening match is between Eastern Bay of Plenty side at Ngongotaha Domain today.

After the success of this year's Baywide secondary schools finals - with half the teams, six of the 12, coming from the Rotorua area - Simpkins said selecting a squad from all the talent on offer hadn't been an easy task.

"Rotorua Boys' High School have always been strong but I wanted to make sure there was a fair representative from all the schools in our area."

The selection process meant a number of players were unlucky not to be selected for the team but Simpkins said it didn't mean all was lost for those players.

"Three or four players were close to selection. But like all good players you have to take the highs with the lows, keep fit because there is always a chance of being called up."

The new competition will see a team apiece from Thames Valley and King Country, joined by the Bay of Plenty representatives from Eastern, Western and Central Unions as well as four regional Waikato sides.

The Waikato union teams have returned to former sub-union regions for the new competition. Harlequins will be drawn from the Hamilton region, South Waikato youngsters will play under the Tritons banner, with the Corinthians selected from Matamata and Morrinsville.

The two short sharp Mid-North Island age group competitions, will be played during late August and September, culminating with a finals day for both age groups on September 29.

Central under-14 squad: TK Doherty (WHHS), Hikairo Stewart-Reid (TKOTK), Robert Murray (WHHS), Levi Hemopo (WHHS), Isaiah Walsh (WHHS), Andrew Muliaga (WHHS), Elijah Vili (WHHS), Harvest Grooby (WHHS), Darcy Curtis (WHHS), Matthew Van Leeuwen (RLHS), Matangireia Yates-Francis (RBHS), Urutohatoha Hohep (RBHS), Jayden Sargent (RBHS), Reuben Taylor (RBHS), Mitch Regan (RBHS), Te Ra Rereiao Whata (RBHS), Manawapa Whata (RBHS), Tamamutu Whata (RBHS), Rerehou Emery-Ririnui (RBHS), Mitatahoka Takuira-Mita (RBHS), Manaaki Te Kowhai (RBHS), Rawiri Manley (RBHS), Tarzan Smith (RBHS), Solomene Kaitani (RBHS), Misi Taefu (JPC), Hayden Perese (JPC), Caleb Hammond (REP), Harry Phipps (REP).

Chiefs under-15 competition:

Pool A; Western BOP, King Country, Harlequins (Hamilton) White, Tritons (South Waikato), King Country.

Pool B; Eastern BOP, Central BOP, Harlequins Black, Corinthians (Matamata, Morrinsville).

Chiefs under-14 competition:

Pool A; Western BOP, Eastern BOP, Harlequins White, Tritons, King Country.

Pool B; Central BOP, Harlequins Black, Corinthians, Thames Valley.