The University of Waikato: Waikato U19 squad has been named ahead of their 2018 representative campaign and Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament.

At last year’s Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 tournament saw a repeat of the 2016 final as again Waikato and Auckland faced off. Waikato got the better of Auckland in 2016 and was looking for back to back tournaments but came up against a strong Auckland outfit, where they were beaten.

The team has recently completed two preseason matches beating Waikato club side Leamington and North Harbour U19’s.

The team now shifts focus to the three seeding matches in the Chiefs pool, the first is this weekend against Taranaki (Away, August 18) followed by Counties Manukau (Away, August 25) before their final match against Bay of Plenty (Home, September 1). The results from those matches will determine their seeding for the upcoming 2018 Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament. The tournament is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

The University of Waikato: Waikato U19’s will be coached by Daniel Teka who makes the step up from assistant coach for the past two seasons. Teka will be joined by assistant coaches Logan Asplin (Forward Coach) and Rhys Bayliss (Backs Coach).

Head Coach Daniel Teka said, “It is a great opportunity for these young players who have had a strong club season to head to this tournament aiming to win back the Graham Mourie Cup for the second time and to be the first province to do so. The Under 19s program is a great breeding ground for up and coming Waikato men, with a number of players from this 2018 squad looking to make their debuts in Mitre 10 Cup in 2019.”
 

2018 University of Waikato: Waikato U19 Squad

Forwards
Geogre Dyer – Prop (Fraser Tech)
Jo Mason – Prop (Hamilton Marist)
Wesley Tapueluleu – Prop (Hamilton Old Boys)
Ollie Norris – Prop (Hautapu)
Brad Burkhart – Hooker (Suburbs)
Sam Cooper – Hooker (Hamilton Old Boys)
Stanley Paese – Hooker/Prop (University)
Samipeni Finau – Lock (Hamilton Old Boys)
Jamie McInnes – Lock (University)
Jonty Powers – Lock/Blindside (Fraser Tech)
James Thompson – Lock/Blindside (Hautapu)
Charles Alaimalo – Blindside (Hamilton Marist)
Calum McNab – Openside (Hamilton Old Boys)
R Kelly Pakeau – Openside (Hautapu)
Quade Tapsell – Number 8 (Hamilton Marist)

Backs
Rhys Dickinson – Halfback (Fraser Tech)
Keaton Neels – Halfback (Hautapu)
Josh Vuta – Halfback ( Hautapu)
Logan Karl – First Five (Te Awamutu Sports)
Raiki Willison – First Five ( Otorohanga)
Tautau Kapea – Midfield (Hautapu)
Te Ranga Kihi – Midfield (Hautapu)
Quinn Tupaea – Midfield (Hamilton Old Boys)
Malakai Uasi – Midfield (Leamington)
Brian Lima – Wing (Hamilton Marist)
Jack McConnell – Wing (Hamilton Old Boys)
Siave Seti – Wing (Hamilton Marist)
Kaea Hongara – Fullback (Hautapu)

Article added: Tuesday 14 August 2018