The Wellington U16 Development side today before their match against home side East Coast, which they won 83-0.?
Day 1 of the Hurricanes U16 tournament played in Ruatoria produced high scoring and entertaining matches.
Played in hot weather, the large crowds enjoyed what they saw at Whakarua Park. ?
Wellington and Hawke's Bay were winners in Pool A with Poverty Bay, Wanganui and Wellington Development were winners in Pool B.
Wellington's A and B side and Poverty Bay scored over 50 points, with Taranaki and Horowhenua/Kapiti were just pipped in their matches.
All referees bar one had yellow cards in their matches mostly for foul play, a total of seven all up.
Pool A:
Wellington 61 vs Manawatu 17
Hawkes Bay 18 vs Taranaki 17
Pool B:
Wellington Development 83 vs East Coast 0
Wanganui 27 vs Horowhenua/Kapiti 27
Poverty Bay 52 vs Wairarapa Bush 10
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Tournament preview:
The Wellington U16 side are looking to make it three-in-a-row at this year's Hurricanes Youth Council U16 tournament? that is being held in Ruatoria next week.
After winning the Pool A Don Broughton Shield at home last year and in New Plymouth in 2011, Wellington will look to maintain their strong tournament momentum to defend their title this year.
The statistics show that Wellington are clear favourites leading up to the competition, but their campaign will be tough as they head to one of the most isolated parts of the Hurricanes catchment area.
In 2012, tournament hosts Wellington only leaked nine points in the tournament thanks to their strong defensive systems and scored 117 against their rivals. They accounted for Hawke’s Bay in the final day 29-0,? after beating Taranaki and Manawatu comfortably in the first two days of the tournament. ?Wellington will field two teams to expand the competition out to ten competing teams. ?
Teams in Pool A are: Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Manawatu.
Teams in Pool B are: Wellington Development, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, Horowhenua-Kapiti and East Coast.
In accordance with the competition rules, Manawatu were challenged for their place in Pool A by Poverty Bay last weekend but they defeated the challengers13-10.
Wellington U16 Development, who were runners up in Pool B last year, will fill out the competition and are representative players who missed out of the main A side.
The Development team were beaten by Poverty Bay 17-12 in the Saracens Cup Pool B competition? last year but won matches against Wanganui and Wairarapa Bush with a pre-season win against Horowhenua/Kapiti.
The Development side opened the Pool B competition last weekend with a 66-10 win over Wanganui U16 at Cooks Gardens.
Both Wellington teams travel up to the East Coast on the weekend.
A healthy 14 Wellington players were selected for last year’s 22-man Tournament Team, which rewarded players for their outstanding efforts during the course of the tournament.
U16 A
Patrick Ah-Nau
Asafo? Aumua
Paul Bickle
Hannon Brighouse
Sekove?Delaicatata
Alex Fidow
Losi Filpo
Lotunu’u Haueia
Kemera Hauiti-Parapara
Daniel Leone
Lester Maulolo
Lennnox McMahon
Brandon Mudzekenyezdi?? ?
Jack Nelson-Murray
Siosaia Paese
Jeff Paula-Falefata
Ben Power
Tukia Prucell
Cameron Roseingrave
Jarimar Schuster
Nese Solia
Gus Stone
Denzelle To’o
Foliga Va’alepu
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Coaches: Justin Gray & James Porter
Manager: Dean Simpson
U16 Development:
Sievini Paonga
Peneili Poasa
Jasiah Ioana
Ivan Fepuleai
Saga Tanu
Ben Aumua-Paseta
Joshua Michael
Henry Mexted
Ethan Loader
Jordon Siamani
Kevin Fauatea
Peteli Poasa
Jordan King
Alex Ropeti
Issac Aliva
Keaton Te Amo
Korvarn Togiatama
Jayden Treviranus
Malachai Unasa-Knox
Luese Moemai
Taankik Wiki
Willie Sauea
Kerrod Foaese
Coaches: Tane Landon – Lane & Phillipe Rayasi
Manager:? Mike Parker
Physio:???? Lauren McDonald
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