Rugby talent selected for University of Waikato Chiefs Under-18 camp

All Blacks Tupou Vaa'i (left) and Samipeni Finau are among the players to have attended past University of Waikato Chiefs Under-18 camps. Photo / Photosport

The University of Waikato Chiefs Under-18 camp will see 61 young men from across the Chiefs Country provincial unions take part at St Paul’s Collegiate from July 10-12.

The camp is a key part of the Chiefs Pathways Programme, which identifies exciting players within the club’s region who show the potential to become future Gallagher Chiefs, with previous attendees including current All Blacks Emoni Narawa, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau and Cortez Ratima.

“We have been impressed by the commitment that each of these players have shown within their respective schools and clubs,” Chiefs Rugby Club head of pathways Kent Currie said.

“They are an exciting group of talent, and we look forward to having them connect and learn from some of our experienced alumni, current Gallagher Chiefs and coaches throughout the camp.

“There will be a big focus on skill development and the Chiefs Rugby Club culture, with them heading home with a clear picture of our pathway.”

The Hamilton-based camp will allow players to further their understanding of what it takes to make it professionally with former Chiefs and All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Liam Messam (Chiefs athlete development coach) as influential facilitators for the young group.

The camp will also act as a trial for players to earn selection for the New Zealand Schools team, and the University of Waikato Chiefs Under-18 team that will face Samoa later this year.

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University of Waikato Chiefs U18 Development Camp (name, school/club, provincial union):

Maika Alofi, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Ross Anderson, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Alex Arnold, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Wiremu Brailey, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Nate Bodle, St Paul’s Collegiate School, Waikato Rugby Union

Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia, University of Waikato RFC, Waikato Rugby Union

Kanioli Burgess, St John’s College, Waikato Rugby Union

Kolini Jnr Collins, Wesley College, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Judah Draiva, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Tom Dyer, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Micah Fale, Hamilton Old Boys RSC, Waikato Rugby Union

Luke Goodman, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union

Olly Guerin, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Will Hadley, St Paul’s Collegiate School, Waikato Rugby Union

Conrad Jackson, University of Waikato RFC, Waikato Rugby Union

Joel Kaho, St John’s College, Waikato Rugby Union

Izzy Kamana, St Peter’s School, Cambridge, Waikato Rugby Union

Walter Kava, Hastings Boys’ High School, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Semi Keli, Wesley College, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Halen King, Hamilton Marist RFC, Waikato Rugby Union

Kees Kolose, Mount Maunganui Rugby Club, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

David Lewai, University of Waikato RFC, Waikato Rugby Union

Richie Magele, Hautapu Sports Club, Waikato Rugby Union

Solomone Mailulu, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Kaden Makea, St John’s College, Waikato Rugby Union

Timana Mark, Pukekohe High School, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Tom Martin, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Callum McCabe, St John’s College, Waikato Rugby Union

Ethan McManimen, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Jack Miller, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Riley Mitchell, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union

Joe Moore, St Peter’s School, Cambridge, Waikato Rugby Union

Flynn Morey, St Peter’s School, Cambridge, Waikato Rugby Union

Karlan Mosa’ ata, St John’s College, Waikato Rugby Union

Brayden Neilson, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union

Stefan Newman, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Ben Ofa, Manurewa Rugby Football Club, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Suli Pahulu, Wesley College, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Raharuhi Palmer, Hautapu Sports Club, Waikato Rugby Union

Max Pearson, Hamilton Old Boys RSC, Waikato Rugby Union

Jake Rabarts, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Aaron Riley, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Te Ariki Rogers, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Vili Rova, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union

Aiden Roy, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Tyi Sinkinson, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Charlie Sinton, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Aidan Spratley, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Mitchell Swann, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Kaleb Tapara, Hautapu Sports Club, Waikato Rugby Union

Nickolai Te Huia, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Thomas McKerchar, Inglewood High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union

Alapati Tusa Soagia, St Peter’s School, Cambridge, Waikato Rugby Union

Bronson Van Der Heyden, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Liam Van Der Heyden, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Mason Verster, Tauranga Boys’ College, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union

Keelan Viliami, St John’s College, Waikato Rugby Union

Mikaele Vueti, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Hiraka Waitai-Haenga, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Waikato Rugby Union

Jake White, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union

Jack Wiseman, New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki Rugby Football Union