New Zealand U20s Profile: Henry Stowers

?

Above: Henry Stowers running rampant for Wainuiomata in last year's Wellington club rugby Jubilee Cup final. Wainuiomata lost the final 11-14 to Hutt Old Boys Marist, but Stowers was prominent throughout - as he is in most games he plays.?

Surprised by Henry Stowers’ inclusion in the New Zealand U20 Junior World Championship squad that leaves for Italy later this month?

Don’t be.

So far Stowers hasn’t featured in the New Zealand U20s set-up this year, and wasn’t included in the squad that won the Oceania Junior Championship on Australia’s Gold Coast last weekend.

That’s because he has been out injured, rehabbing for the past six months after having elbow surgery at the end of last year.

Yesterday, he played his first game of rugby of any kind since his most recent appearance on a rugby field last October when he helped the Wellington U19s beat Auckland in the semi-finals of the Jock Hobbs National U19 Tournament in Taupo.

Stowers lined up at No. 8 for his Wellington club team Wainuiomata in a Premier Swindale Shield match against the Wellington Axemen and had a blinder. The match report today in the Dominion Post sums up his comeback performance:

“Henry Stowers was the best player on the field for much of this fixture, his staunch defence and ranging line-breaks set him apart from the rest. He easily clocked up the most running metres and produced highlight plays.”

Unsurprisingly, when we spoke to Stowers on Friday afternoon he was raring to go.

“I’m very keen to get back into playing,” he told Club Rugby, “I’ve been away from it for six months now and have recently put in a lot of preparation and conditioning leading up to my first game back. I’m excited to see how I go and see what kind of form I’m in.”

2014 was a big year for Stowers, a former Scots College loose forward and a regular name listed in Wellington age-grade representative teams over the past several years.

He captained the Samoa U20s in the Junior World Championship, had a storming match in the Wellington Jubilee Cup final, made his Wellington Lions debut in two early season ITM Cup games off the bench and then helped the Wellington U19s qualify for and then win the final of the inaugural national U19 championship.

All whilst on the surgeon's waiting list.?

“The last time I played a full game was the U19s semi-final last year against Auckland.”

He explained how he injured himself, during a pre-tournament training camp with the Samoan U20s last year.

“We did an obstacle course and in one of the team events we had to climb up on to a six-foot log. I got on top of the log and was helping my teammate up from the ground. He was losing his balance, I helped him and then I fell badly on myself.”

“I was told by Australian surgeons that I’d be out for six months but I ended my arm up and playing – my first game back was against New Zealand in the U20 World Cup.

“From there I strapped it and kept playing – the plan was to have surgery at the end of the year and that’s what I did.”

Stowers said that he knew he was in the mix for the New Zealand U20 Junior World Championship squad, but his selection was never guaranteed.

“I was never sure that I was going to be selected last week.

“But the New Zealand coaches and management are very good with their communication and they pointed out what they wanted from me – to get my fitness up to speed and make sure that I am back by a certain date [this weekend just gone].

“I managed to do what they wanted and in return they have rewarded me with this selection.”

Stowers can cover all three loose forward positions equally well, but if he had to choose one, blindside flanker is his favourite.

“My preferred position would be six. I love blindside flanker. I have played most of my rugby at No. 8 and have probably performed the best there, and have also played a lot at seven.

“But if they put me at prop I’ll play there too."

On paper, the loose forwards are the strength of the New Zealand U20 Junior World Cup squad. Akira Ioane (out of Auckland Grammar School) has starred for the Blues already this season, Blake Gibson (Kelston Boys’ High School) came off the bench for the Blues on Friday night in their win over the Bulls. Blonde bombshell Mitchell Karpik (King’s College) is the side’s out and out fetcher. Mitchell Jacobson (Cambridge High School) is a similar styled played to Stowers, with athletism and versatility key attributes.

Stowers is familiar with many of his new teammates, having played with or against them before. Canterbury backs Nathanial Apa and Luteru Laulala were also in the Samoan U20 team with him last year.

“I know these other guys. I played against the likes of Mitchell Karpik and Akira Ioane last year, so it will be really good competition for those starting spots in the New Zealand team. We all get along well and complement each other well.”

Stowers nominated playing for and captaining Samoa as a highlight of his year last year.

“I think the biggest highlight from last season would’ve been doing so well with the Samoan U20 team. Especially as not many people expected much from that team and it’s something that I carry with me.

“Awesome coaches and great players such as Nathanial Apa and Luteru Laulala who have joined me in the New Zealand team this year.”

At last year’s tournament, the young and mostly inexperienced Samoa side lost to New Zealand 48-12, beat Scotland 27-18 and lost to South Africa 21-8 in Pool stages, before losing to Australia 53-16 and then Wales 20-3 to finish eighth of 12 teams.

With pace, power and flair, Stowers is well-suited to Sevens rugby. His Wainuiomata teammate and flanker Greg Lealofi is currently with Samoa at the World Rugby Sevens in London.

Another club teammate, Uale Mai, is a legend of the Sevens game. Is Sevens something that interests Stowers in the future?

“I’d love the chance to play Sevens. I love the open space in rugby, so in the future if an opportunity presents itself I would definitely look into it.”

He was also chuffed with how Scots College performed last year.

“I was so proud of Scots College last year. I was lost for words when they won the Wellington final and then to go on and be co-national champions was great.”

A former Scots College First XV loose forward is Victor Vito, while a return to action for last year’s star TJ Va’a from injury for Wainuiomata is reportedly imminent.