EXCITING YOUNG AUCKLAND TRIO EXTEND CONTRACTS
A trio of emerging young Auckland players have extended their time with the Blues for a further two years.
Loose forward Adrian Choat, 24, halfback Taufa Funaki, 22 and midfielder Corey Evans, 21 have signed through to 2024, having emerged through the Auckland and Blues development pathway.
The trio has made over 20 appearances for the Blues between them this year with Choat playing in 12 of the 14 games mostly off the bench, while Funaki has had two starts in his six appearances and Evans four with two starts.
Choat, who gained his first full contract at the Blues last year, has developed considerably. The 1.90m 102kg loose forward, who prefers No 7 but is adept at all three back-row roles, has had his short career entwined with good friend and Blues captain Dalton Papalii.
He replaced an injured Papalii in the New Zealand Under-20s in 2017, before a Lisfranc injury stalled his 2018 season. With Papalii called into the All Blacks, Choat won a spot in the Auckland team in their semifinal against Canterbury later that season.
His 2019 season was full of quality NPC displays, before Pat Lam called him to UK as short-term injury cover at Bristol. He returned to come in as injury cover at the Blues in 2020 without making the field, and earned five games off the bench in 2021.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Auckland and my Blues region, and the two-year contract gives me some security,” said Choat. “It is a big positive for me, to be back home and back to university to continue my studies.
“As a young loosie, I am learning so much from the All Blacks and others both on and off the field.”
Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry said he is pleased to retain Choat in the squad through to 2024.
“He has developed admirably both in his core roles on the grass and as a contributor off it. While he is probably best served as a No 7, he has the size and the skillset to play at six and eight which makes him an extremely versatile and valuable member of our squad.”
Choat has now earned 15 caps for Auckland, including wearing the captain’s armband on occasion.
Funaki, a former New Zealand Schools and NZ Under-20s representative, fought back after almost a year out of the game with injury to secure a contract this year.
The former Sacred Heart College star played two years for New Zealand Schools and selected for the New Zealand Under-20s to the U20 Rugby World Cup in 2019 and was listed in the squad for 2020 before the tournament was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
He was selected as part of the Auckland squad in 2020 but missed much of the next year with a workplace injury before making his return, when he was picked up by the Blues.
Funaki made his debut off the bench against the Highlanders – brought on with one minute of regular time remaining and ended up with a significant contribution with the game going to the 92nd minute as both sides chased a bonus point.
He has gone on to make six appearances this season, including two as the starting halfback.
“Taufa has real x-factor as a strong-running halfback and has worked extremely hard since joining us this year,” said coach Leon MacDonald.
Evans is a blue-chip young player, who led the Blues Under-20 team last year and awarded the Blues Development Player of the Year in 2021. He too is a former New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Under-20s representative.
He has made four appearances for the Blues this season including two starts and impressed the coaching team.
Evans was originally from near Kaitaia in Northland with his college years at Auckland Grammar and on to the Grammar TEC club in Auckland.
“Corey came through out system as an outstanding prospect and we feel he has a big future as a confident, strong and intelligent midfield back, who has a great attitude,” said MacDonald.
Auckland Rugby are thrilled that the trio will continue to represent the region.
“Adrian has been a core member of the NPC campaign since joining the team through the Auckland academy program and has proved himself as a leader within the team,” said Auckland Rugby coach, Alama Ieremia
“Both Taufa and Corey are following suit since leaving college and it is great to see that they will be representing the Blues as well as the Auckland Rugby community and we are looking forward to working with them as they continue to grow as players.”