U19 squad on track for tournament

Bay of Plenty Under 19 squad member Corban Selwyn

The Bay of Plenty under-19 men's rugby squad is building nicely towards the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 Tournament in Taupo.

The squad has been in preparation for the past three months, training once a week throughout the club season. The nationals is from September 27 to October 3. They play Hawke's Bay this Saturday before starting the Chiefs competition, which will act as seeding matches for the national tournament. The under-19 competition is a big focus for provincial unions and the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is treating this competition as a big opportunity to develop players and promote them to the next level, whether it is the New Zealand Under-20s or the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Bay coach Cory Sweeney said: "The Bay of Plenty U19 initial squad has been selected from a group of committed and proud Bay of Plenty players spread throughout the region. It is an exciting group of players who have been working together for just over eight weeks and tracking really well as we head into our first pre-season game this weekend.

"The boys are motivated by representing themselves and the union with pride during September and under the microscope of the national U19 tournament. They are a talented group of young men worth watching and supporting over the next two months."

- BOP under-19 team:

Forwards: Diardu Terblanche - Tauranga Sports, Leighton Hika - Rangataua, Fraser Bruce - Greerton Marist, Dennis Newton - Whakarewarewa, Craig Blyde - Greerton Marist, Pete Smith - Whakatane Marist, Billy Carter - Te Puna, Tuterangi Te Moana - Opotiki, Ben McDell - Marist St Michael's, Salesi Leota - Rangiuru, Jamie Ure - Rangataua, Matt Ensor - Tauranga Sports, Bailey Ransom - Rangataua, Kruzzyn Herniman - Arataki, Ben Sinclair - Te Puna, Thomas Allen - Tauranga Sports, Darren Tiumalu - Greerton Marist, Sioeli 'Alofiu - Rotoiti.

Backs: Scott Tallott - Greerton Marist, Hayden Tyrrell - Tauranga Sports, Tute Grant - Rangataua, Zane Crosswell - Greerton Marist, Levi Tofa - Judea, Declan Barnett - Te Puke Sports, Alex Thrupp - Rangataua, Corban Selwyn - Waikite, Dominic Sherell - Te Puke Sports, Zach Bell - Greerton Marist, Scott Lyle - Tauranga Sports, Jesse Church - Te Puna.