School leavers to watch in 2017 Wellington Premier rugby

Above From left to right: Last year's New Zealand schools reps Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's), Carlos Price (Petone) and Tim Farrell (Old Boys University) should all feature in this year's Premier club rugby competitions.

Last season's National Top Four First XV Champions Mount Albert School have nine players contacted to professional Union or league franchises already illustrating the clamour for schoolboy talent.

In 2017 many of the leading age group rugby players will be on show in the Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup. Here are some rookies to keep an eye on.

The Cream

• Xavier Numia St Pats Town/Ories/Prop 
• Billy Proctor - St Pats Town/MSP/Midfield
• Reece Plumtree - Wellington College/OBU/Fullback
• Carlos Price - St Kentigern College/Petone/Halfback 
• Tim Farrell - Napier BHS/OBU/Prop
• Will Tremain - Napier BHS/OBU/Flanker 
• Naera Tipoki - Gisborne BHS/OBU/Flanker
• Esi Komaisavai - Rongotai College/Norths/Utility Back

Numia, Proctor, Price, Tipoki and Farrell were all New Zealand Secondary Schools representatives last year and should ascent to senior rugby. How much rugby each of the boys play is subject to their progress in the New Zealand U20s squad.

Numia and Proctor are familiar to local audiences having been a dominant part of the St. Pats Town First XV for the last two seasons. In 2015 Town won the WelTec Premiership title for the first time in 20 years. Procter scored two tries in the final against Scots College while Numia memorably gave Wellington Lion Alex Fidow a torrid time in the scrums. Both struggled with injuries in 2016 and it's no coincidence Town's form suffered as a result.

Numia is particularly mobile and can cover both sides of the scrum. Procter isn't massive for a centre, but has quick footwork, pace and superior distribution skills.

Carlos Price was signed by Wellington last year after two successful years in the St. Kent's First XV which yielded an Auckland 1A title. Price was named player of the tourney at the Hawke's Bay Sevens won by the Petone Colts in February. In addition to being a fine all-round halfback, Price is an adequate goal-kicker.

Napier Boys' High School had a poor team last year, but nobody bettered Tim Farrell in the scrums. The Hurricanes U18 prop suffered a major health scare mid-season when he suffered from a serious bout of glandular fever, but he recovered to perform strongly for his country.

Farrell's best mate is 2016 Napier BHS head prefect William Tremain. William is the son of former National MP Chris Tremain and grandson of legendary All Black Kel Tremain. Like Kel, William is a flanker with a huge engine and plenty of skill. Only injury prevented William from being in the New Zealand Schools team.

On the subject of famous dads, the sons of John Plumtree and Maori All Black Rua Tipoki will both feature for Old Boys University. Naera Tipoki is a tenacious openside whose work rate on defence is highly impressive. He has made every significant rep side since he was 15 and has performed strongly for the Billygoats in his first pre-season outings.

Reece Plumtree scored 200 points for WelTec Premiership champions Wellington College in 2016. The diminutive Plumtree has an eye for the gap scoring 14 tries in 20 matches for his First XV, but unfortunately he suffered a knee injury in pre-season while scoring his first try for OBU and will miss the first several weeks of the season.

Esi Komaisavai is a smart acquisition for Norths espeically following the departure of the versatile Jackson Garden-Bachop for the Rebels. Komaisavai covered multiple positions in the backline at Rongotai College last year and flourished in the Wellington Sevens team over the summer. A highly-skilled, but sometimes erratic player, if Norths can find a suitable position for Komaisavai anything is liable to happen.

Others

The Upper Hutt Rams have picked up the services of Wellington U18 captain Jack Wright and Hurricanes U18 flanker Jarrod Harawira. Both struggled with injuries last year and Silverstream's fortunes suffered accordingly. The former has the height to play lock, but both will likely play on the flanks where their industry will be best utilised.

Hutt Old Boys Marist have collected props Aleki Vuki and Jesse Sipaia from Hastings Boys’ High School, last season’s National Top Four runners up. Vuki is an import from Tonga and added much steel to the Hastings scrum while Sipaia was born in Wellington and returns home with Hawke's Bay rep honours attached to his CV.

Junior Foaitua is Eagles bound also. The St Bernard’s and Wellington College lad played in both the forwards and the backs last year proving plenty of options.

Defending Jubilee Cup Champions Tawa have acquired Tama Marurai from Rongotai College and Tisi Finau from Bishop Viard College. Marurai is a hooker who has a lot of potential, and will go well if he delivers. He has the speed and skill-set to make the step up and went well in sevens rugby. Finau can play both midfield and wing. He's a solid defender, but possibly looks for contact a bit too much at the moment. He has good skills to go with his big frame and with the right coaching could be a real surprise on the club rugby scene in a year or two.

Other individuals who may feature in the Swindale Shield include Meinrad Fitisemanu a bulky midfielder from St. Pats Town headed to MSP, Wellington College wing Connor Fuli who heads to Poneke along with Gisborne Boys' prop Jimmy-Lee Hongara.