News

Counties Manukau Rugby has snared the prized signature of schoolboy star Jadin Kingi with the youngster agreeing to a deal with the PIC Steelers academy.

Kingi, captain of the Sacred Heart 1^st XV in 2020, is the son of former Counties Manukau representative Dion Kingi and the grandson of Counties and All Blacks legend Bruce Robertson and is tipped for a big future in the game.

Kingi, who can play lock, blindside and number eight, played junior football at Ardmore Marist and represented the Blues U18 and NZ Barbarians U18 sides in 2020.

He has linked up with the Chiefs U20 side this year and will return to his Counties Manukau origins to begin his professional career.

“I am from the Counties Manukau region and am passionate about representing my community so signing on with the PIC Steelers was not a hard decision to make,” Kingi said.

“Knowing my Dad and Grandad wore that same jersey means a lot to me and I hope to follow in their footsteps.

“I like what Tai [PIC Steelers coach Tai Lavea] and the team are putting together and I can’t wait to rip in.”

Kingi is considered one of the most promising players to ever join the Counties Manukau Academy.

“We have tracked Jadin’s progress with interest over the last few years while playing for Sacred Heart 1^st XV,” said head of high performance Chad Shepherd.

“Jadin is a very talented rugby player who has showed great leadership qualities as captain of the 1^st XV, and also his extracurricular leadership as deputy head boy, head of hostel and kapa haka leader, which encapsulates the kind of characteristics that we are looking for the Steelers Academy.

“It’s exciting to be able to bring a player of Jadin’s potential and ability back to Counties Manukau to continue his development, and I’m sure he will continue the great legacy of his grandfather and father before him.”