Part 4 - This has been a great season As I said before the level of 1st XV has lifted in just a couple of years and the talent is getting way better and younger. I love that boys go out there and do the extra stuff that lifts their levels of what they can compete against, they get better game by game and grow as the years goes on. So heres my Years 11 ready before ready list. Aleks Dabek Open Side St Peters College (Blues) - Seeing Aleks play in the U15 last year I thought about what he could be and where he could go as far as making the 1st XV this year and I knew he would make it just what was his role? and how would he fit? The year started and Pre-Season was a real good look for him because he showed what he was capable of right from the start. He was fit and fast anyway but when the games started he just got faster and its a pretty big lift from U15s. He got around the field quick staying up with the play making tackles and holding on and not slipping off, he reed the plays well on the run off the scrums and off the back of the line outs. What I liked was his height because hes a tall kid anyway and if he gets taller it would just make it even better for him in that position because he will fill out when he gets older and then that makes for the open sides we are looking for in NZ rugby and for me he is one to watch for the future. Bailyn Sullivan Centre Napier BHS (Hurricanes) - Even last year I knew this kid was going to be someone to watch out for and will be next year. His level just lifted again and you saw a glimps of his leadership and command for the ball. He had some real good players inside him that helped him again this year and he really stood up on his own. He has got more power in his run now and knows where he needs to be before he gets the ball so that he uses his power the right way. One other thing I really liked this year was his defence and not just how physical he has got now but he is a lot more safer in his position to take care of players. I think next year when he gets bigger and grows into his size hes going to be way harder to bring down and stop, then with his passing game its really going to be a study when you have to play him the next week. Im looking for big things for this dude and love the direction he is going in. Kianu Kereru Prop Hastings BHS (Hurricanes) - A guy who at the beginning of the year thought he would be chilln on the bench waiting for his turn in the 1st XV but then some injuries popped up and he was wearing the single digit jersey number. He really took a hold of his position and he can only get better with his natural growth. He has very mature when it comes to scrum time and he does hold it down on his side with the older players he goes up against and in the Super 8 where you have some massive and physical props. He does well in the line outs lifting as well because the Locks are bigger and heavier but goes well even though he hasnt really developed physically yet and thats a scary thought cause just think Whats he going to be like when hes 18?. Big time player to watch. Ciarahn Matoe Kings College, Paulie Roache MAGS and Connelly Leaoa-Lemuelu Tongaroa College 1st 5/8 - I put these three together because these three players started for their sides as Year 11 players in the 1A Comp and I know there are guys reading this and saying my mate is Year 11 and starting why arent you talking about him?. Well for they most likely dont play in the 1A Comp which is the best 1st XV Comp in the world and also they play 1st 5/8 arguably the most important position on the field so thats why. So back to them Im doing them all together because these three have two more years to all battle each other and as the games go from week to week these 3 will get better and better and the battles more and more skilful. Now whats separating them is that Ciarahn and Paulie are the type that would let the ball make the moves and set up the runners. Then you have Connelly who is an attack the line player who challenges the defence every ball. Connelly and Paulie have better defence and I feel like Ciarahns kicking game is a better then the other two. They all have very good foot work and they all can create for themselves because of it and Connelly a bigger frame he makes it work better. One thing I love is Ciarahns cut out pass that really cuts time and it beats the defence 100% and remember every time and I mean EVERY!! time Ball beats the man EVERY TIME!. This next year will be great to see but when 2016 comes thats when your going to see some real Stars at 1st 5/8 for the 1A Comp and NZSS. Zack McKay Fullback St Bedes College (Crusaders) Here is a guy when I seen him play for the first time at the U15 Nationals last year and they were playing Hamilton BHS he just stood out and made me watch him every time he touched the ball to see something mean to watch and he would give you something every time. Zac is a big fullback who has speed and control of his speed where he can slow down see whats happening then see the weakness and then take off. His defence is very very strong and dosent slip off tackles and covers space with on coming runners really well. He has a very strong kicking game that put his team back into an attacking position and can turn the momentum. He has been playing on the wing but I think that helps in a big way because he has managed to work thing right with less space to move in and that counts to his advantage for learning how to save space and use it wisely. I think hes going to take up that role next year and that when we will see that guy blow up and show us what he can do and personally I cant wait cause I think its going to be good watching rugby for everyone. Carlos Price Half Back Tauranga Boys College (Chiefs) Quick pass with accuracy and in the best position for the runner putting them in the right area to make the ground. Carlos is small right now but he has some good height right now and he will grow into his body and become more and more effective on his attack and defence. Lets take the attack he is much like Sam Nock very quick off the mark and reads the spaces well in defences and sets it up that when the gaps appear hes gone! Carlos has a very good command of his forwards giving them order and direction of where they need to be and thats something we forget as a skill and Carlos has that. He has a good enough kicking game right now and it will only go up and hes on the right path. Carlos can defend make tackles even around the rucks and when he gets bigger he will be dangerous because hes going to be like another loose forward. Excited to see him grow. Flynn Thomas Hooker Southland BHS (Highlanders) Maybe one of the best Year 11 players in the country that Im REALLY interested in seeing what hes going to be like when hes Year 13. His talent and skill set right now is already high right now and he plays beyond his age and even his size cause he handles himself well with the big fellas out there. Flynn is going to be very strong coming into next year he will be a year older and as nature goes he will be bigger, he will be a lot smarter and you know your getting better when the game becomes slower to you, you got more time to read and think about what you want to do and see things before it happens Flynn will be in that position. Flynn will read runners better get over the ball and into rucks a lot more. He will then figure out when to go into rucks or spread for the next tackle and his running game is going to be mean. Other players Melino Fineanganofo Halfback ( Auckland GS) Jack McHugh No.8 (Sacred Heart Col) Siosaia Paese Winger/Fullback (St Pats Town) Charles Lawrence 2nd 5/8 (Hamilton Boys HS) Mackenave Pisi 2nd 5/8 (Massey HS) Cruz Topai-Aveai No.8 (Shirley Boys) Rory Ferguson Open Side (John Mc Glashane Col) Viliami Tose No.8 (Rotorua BHS) Rameka Poihipi, 1st 5/8 (Hamilton Boys) George Thomas 2nd 5/8 (Otago Boys HS)
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 11:28:42 +0000
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