U18’S SET FOR TASTE OF BLUES CAMP & CULTURE
The Blues have named a 54-strong Under 18 Development Squad to attend a training camp in July.
The camp will be held in Auckland at Mount Albert Grammar School from Sunday July 14 to Thursday July 18 and provide an opportunity to expose the next generation to the Blues environment.
The idea behind the camp is to replicate a High Performance week in rugby with the squad training and building towards an internal game on Wednesday before a reviewing the game on the final day of camp.
Blues Talent ID and Development Manager Shane King said the U18 squad includes players from right across the Blues region – from Northland’s Kaitaia RFC to Botany College in Auckland.
“It’s great to see the whole region represented in this talented Under 18 squad,” said King.
“These squads are always incredibly hard to select, we’re lucky to have so much young talent in the Blues catchment and we’re excited to bring this group together to see where they’re at but also where they can measure themselves against their peers.”
Members of the Blues coaching staff including Paul Tito, Jason O’Halloran and Dan Halangahu will be on hand to present to the squad and take training sessions, something King said provides a real boost for the players.
“When these young men see and hear from the Blues Assistant Coaches it certainly makes them sit up and take notice. This is a great learning opportunity for the players and equally a chance to impress those coaches from the top team,” said King.
BLUES U18 SQUAD 2024
FORWARDS
Charlie Wallis - Auckland Grammar
Alex Va'aia - Westlake Boys
Solo Balenaikasakasa - Kelston Boys’
Riley Grant-Faiva - Saint Kentigern College
Sione Manuopangai - King’s College
Bradley Knight - Kaitaia RFC
Brodie Savage – Rosmini College
Tamiano Ahloo - College Rifles RFC
Xavier Leota - Kelston Boys’
Iggy Iversen - East Coast Bays RFC
Jayden Clarke - Rosmini College
Flynn Hamilton-Muller - King’s College
Junior Aukuso-Slade - Saint Kentigern College
Tevita Tatafu - St Peter’s College
Jacob Carter - King’s College
Zac Taulapapa - Mount Albert Grammar
Frazer Brown - Ponsonby RFC
Fin Mather - Auckland Grammar
Tai Clyde - Whangarei Boys’
Anton Seuseu - Rosmini College
Aio Keith - Kelston Boys’
Jay Dunne - East Coast Bays RFC
Zeph Lewis - Dilworth
Daniel Lawrence - Liston College
Noah Gregory - Mount Albert Grammar
Izaiah Dunmore - Kaitaia RFC
Reef Sofala - Whangarei Boys’
Caleb Woodley - Grammar TEC
BACKS
Matt Harris - St Peter’s College
Jack Saunders - Whangarei Boys’
Louie Kishimoto - St Peter’s College
Boston Krone - Auckland Grammar
Ben Love - Whangarei Boys’
Blake Lidgard - Westlake Boys
Rios Tasmania - Auckland Grammar
Angus Revell - Saint Kentigern College
Kai Aihara - Kerikeri High School
Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega - Kelston Boys’
Te Aowera Para - Wellington College
Nico Stanley - Auckland Grammar
Garoux (Gary) Basson - Botany College
Siale Pahulu - Saint Kentigern College
Paula Lu'au - Kelston Boys’
Reimana Saunderson - Rurawhe - Northcote RFC
Sosaia Manu - King’s College
Max Morgan - Sacred Heart College
JD van der Westhuizen - Westlake Boys
Siaosi Kava - Tamaki College
Connor Bowden - Botany College
Inoke Vaingalo - Rosmini College
Jacob Paea - St Peter’s College
Cohen Norrie - Sacred Heart College
Callum Jones - Kaitaia RFC
Malakai Hafoka - St Peter’s College
Ryder Heath - Rosmini College
Tyson Parsons - Kelston Boys
Players unavailable due to injury: Luka Patumaka Makata (Saint Kentigern College), Sam Jancys (Saint Kentigern College), Jarlon Lesatele (Westlake Boys), Cruiz Simpson (Sacred Heart College), Josh Leo (Liston College), Logan Platt (Auckland Grammar), JP Schmidt (De La Salle College)