News

The future at Papakura looks bright with an uber-talented young core set to carry the club forward in the years to come.

Last weekend’s comeback draw with Manurewa will give the young side some much-needed confidence as new coaches Jarrod Firth and Mark Thomas continue to make an impact and they will have some of the brightest talents in the region to work with.

Fullback Boston Franklyn was the hero on the weekend, scoring a brilliant solo try to spark the comeback and then nailing a last minute side line conversion to ice the result.

But he is one of a group of significant talent coming through at Massey Park. Loose forward Austin Carew is an absolute gun and is rumoured to already be in the eyes of representative coaches while halfback Nic Snyman is another that looks to be an immense talent.

“Austin has been immense for us,” coach Mark Thomas told Counties Sports Hub. “Every week he comes off the field absolutely battered and bruised and really puts his body on the line.

“We have got a couple of other young guys there – Sua Ioane playing six and eight, Ben Hoddle whose more of a fullback or winger stepping in to play 10. It was his first game at 10 today for an 18-year-old; a pretty incredible effort.

“I am really proud of these young guys who I have had a little bit to do with over the past few years.

“The signs are really good, and we will keep building from this.”