While rugby in the Blues region has had more than its fair share of trials and tribulations dealing with the Covid pandemic, it may have thrown up an unexpected benefit for emerging talent.

The Blues and associated provincial unions have been forced to cancel the October holidays Blues Region Under-18 Development Camp because of the Covid pandemic.

However, it has opened up an opportunity for more young players to be included in a wider development initiative.

The Blues now plan to stage a series of three one-day camps over three weekends in November, hopefully when the region is operating back at Level 1.

Accordingly, without the significant accommodation costs of a live-in camp, the Blues can engage with a larger group of players.

“We have now invited 64 players from throughout the region for the one-day camps,” said Blues Talent Identification Manager, Shane King.

“We have players from 24 schools from as far north as Whangaroa College (Bay of Islands) to South Auckland schools like Tangaroa and Aorere Colleges.

“The added flexibility means that we can invite a larger number of players who might not always have the same opportunities as those playing in the high-profile Auckland 1A competition.

“We also recognise that young men develop physically at different rates. We want to ensure that those ‘late-developing’ players understand that there is still a pathway for them and we do not lose them from the game at an early age.”

The organisers plan to involve coaches from the Blues and their provincial partners of Northland, North Harbour and Auckland along with other specialists in the one-day camps.

Dates, venues and details will be forwarded in the coming weeks.

The players selected are:

Maliu Niuafe, William  Fonohema (Aorere College); Esau Filimoehala, Gage Jackson, Jole Naufahu, Riley Williams (Auckland Grammar); Xavier Saifoloi, Brandon Televavae (Botany Downs College); Lucas Payne (Dargaville High School); Hawkin Toeava, Iain-Robert Onosi, Joseph Tunumafono-Sale, Patrick Moimoi (De La Salle College); Damon Kitchen, Hohaia Whiu, Ofa Topeni, Sila Hifo (Dilworth School); Max Ameke (Edgewater College); Nathan Halliday, Riley Harrison (Howick College); Kobe Walters (Kamo RFC); Essendon Tuitupou, JT Pont-Bellamy, Phillip Nu’u Sulusulu, Sam Howling, Tony Tafa, Xavier Tito-Harris (Kelston Boys High School); Lucas Casey, Toby Bell (Kerikeri High School); Che Clark, Francis Manuleleua, Maikel Tuala (Kings College); Declan Murphy, Divan Lourens (MacLeans College); Ben Skelton, Ricky Reuben, Tama Anderson (Mt Albert Grammar); Holden Tatana, Loa Latu, Siolo Alatina (Massey High School); Agape Kaho (Onehunga High School); Cameron Christie (Orewa College); Josiah Unga, Kobe  Kay, Nathaniel Pole, Poasa Uiese, Sione Makasini (Sacred Heart College); Blake Paxton (Southern Rugby Club, Te Kopuru); Xavier Taele (St Kentigern College); Blair Tagi-Fuimaono, Etuate Fukofuka, Konrad Toleafoa, Nick Muli, Siale Faeamani, Sika Uamaki-Pole (St Peters College); Caleb Falloon (Takapuna RFC); Jalal Vavae, Meni Manase, Ngatokorua Kamana, Spa Visesio (Tangaroa College); Jack Bradley (Western Sharks RFC, Dargaville); Titera Bura, Trystan Cook (Westlake Boys High School); Reuben Clarke (Whangaroa College).