Cody Hemi
Whanganui has increased its home-grown representation in the Hurricanes youth set up with three current Collegiate 1st XV players and three recent expats making the 2017 Hurricanes U18 camp in Masterton this month.
Out of 293 nominations from schools around the catchment, there were 58 players selected to attend the training camp at Rathkeale College from July 9-13.
This includes Collegiate 1st XV captain Cody Hemi, tighthead prop Bradley Sanson and No8 Finau Nimatasau.
Hemi has already made his Steelform Wanganui debut, against Manawatu Evergreens two weeks ago in a match that cost him a broken jaw.
As a result, WCS director of rugby Guy Lennox said the talent utility back will only do the off-field work in Masterton.
"I think he'll be just at the camp to observe, he won't be training.
"He's got the plate for six weeks. They've invited him down there, they know his abilities."
Of the six Whanganui products named, four of them were in the successful Under 18 representative team competing in the 2016 HYRC Series, where they lost to the Wellington Samoans but had back-to-back road wins over Poverty Bay and Wairarapa Bush, as well as a home victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti and beating Thames Valley in pre-season.
With Hemi in that squad was loose forward Nimatasau.
"He's a big, strong ball carrier, good work rate," said Lennox.
The camp bolter is Sanson, a former Under 16 representative who has also focused on his rowing for Collegiate.
"Last year, he was not a name you would expect to be up there," said Lennox.
"A local boy, he's come on leaps and bounds. A good kid, strong defence."
Lennox was pleased the Whanganui school has got three players in the mix, as they had to stack up against the powerhouses like Napier and Hastings Boys high schools, who collectively have 21 players chosen.
"It's a reflection on what we're trying to do, to get that representation in there.
"The CNI (Central North Island secondary schools) is a bloody good competition for us. It gets us out around the country and in front of the selectors."
Manawatu's traditional powerhouse Feilding Ag High School had their usual strong selection with six players chosen, which includes Griffin Culver and Kody Edwards.
Halfback Culver was an Under 18 rep last year and a standout at Whanganui High School as part of their Mixed Touch national title-winning team and the WHS 1st XV which narrowly lost the Manawatu Colts final to regular winners Massey White.
Fullback Edwards played Wanganui age grade representative rugby at Under 13 and 16 level representative rugby while at Cullinane College.
Also going to the camp, Wanganui U18 fullback Adam Boult played alongside both Edwards and Culver, being a Cullinane player who was lent to WHS 1st XV last year in a special arrangement between the schools.
He is now at the Te Kawau club while he attends Massey University.
Edwards, Culver and Boult have been to the Hurricanes camps in previous years.
The five day camp will see the players coached by current Hurricanes Investec Super Rugby coaching staff and professional players, as well as receiving guidance off the field in terms of nutrition, mental skills, physical preparation, media and leadership training.
The week will culminate in a training match between a "Coles XV" and the "Perenara XV", who will be coached by former All Black captain Rodney So'oialo and former NZ Sevens star Tafai Ioasa.
A squad of 23 will then play a one-off match with the Crusaders Under 18's in the curtain raiser to the Super Rugby game between the franchises at Westpac Stadium on July 15.