News

Eight players from Counties Manukau have been selected for the University of Waikato Chiefs U18s Development Camp.

It follows the Counties Manukau U18 Boys winning the Northern Region tournament over the weekend.

Wesley College representatives Apai Ma’u Hinkes, Joey Taumateine, Thomas Setitaia and David Kama were all offered spots. Waiuku College’s Hunter Maxwell got the nod while Karaka Rugby Club’s Loshaunce Leaso and Manurewa Rugby Club pair Daniel Lagalaga-Slade and Lenz Morunga-Itunu were also included.

Leaso and Morunga-Itunu represented Counties Manukau U19s this season while Morunga-Itunu and Taumateine are both representing the NZ Barbarians U18s.

The week-long camp will have the Chiefs Country players selected assemble at St Paul’s Collegiate for an immersive learning experience. They will then have the chance to apply these learnings in games against the Blues U18 sides.

Chiefs Rugby Club Head of Pathways Kent Currie said: “We have been impressed by the commitment that each of these players have shown within their respective schools, clubs and provincial teams.

“Due to provincial age group rugby being played at the moment we have named the Chiefs U18 selection quite late this year. We wanted to ensure that all players had the ability to stake their claim while they represented their provinces. “

“All of the selected players have the ability to be future Gallagher Chiefs and this camp will give them the additional tools to help set them up for that,” said Currie.

The University of Waikato Chiefs U18 Development Camp will run from 3-7 October 2023.