Months of training for our rising rugby stars culminates this week in the Jock Hobbs National Under 19 tournament.

The Auckland A and B teams have qualified for the top eight section and begin their competition today, Auckland B playing Waikato, and Auckland A facing Taranaki.

Both teams took part in qualifying matches over the past month in preparation and are set to play three matches over the next week.

When talking to the NZ Herald earlier this week, Auckland A coach Andrew Hewetson said his team are in a better place than last year, where they finished 7th overall.

“ The union have done a great job in retaining secondary school talent from 2015. One of our biggest issues was just trying to keep talent in the area," Hewetson told the NZ Herald.

"She's sudden death footy. We learned that last year. Lose that first game and the best you can come is fifth. So we are not looking past Thursday at all," said Hewetson.

The Auckland A team is
Afioga Ielemia, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Jerry Samania, Dominic Maupese, Charles Napa’a, John Sauni, Fatai Finau, Michael Kaivelata, Isitolo Maka, Jacob Pierce, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Benjamin Sa’u, Samuel Slade, Henry Saker, Ian Vermeulen, Wiseguy Faiane, Otumaka Mausia, Oliver Polson, Nikolai Foliaki, Lino Leiataua, Loketi Manu, Wesley Tamiefuna, TJ Vaega, Freedom Vaha’akolo

The Auckland B team is
Iose Brown, Sebastian Mataele, Fe’ao Teutau, Awanui Morris, Otto Faiva, Brandon Boyle, Julius Togafau, Gus Stone, Toafilimoeunga Ahio, Taine Fox-Matamua, Bryan Mulitalo, Xavier Nu’u, Toma Tia, Zac King, Roman Blackman, Leauma Tuuga, Matthieu Olo-Whaanga, Aisea Fainga’anuka, Lagaali Schuster, Sefita Faka’osi, Darren Kellet, Campbell Busby, Noah Mataia, Shaun Oliver, Niukula Osika