Profiling the six local players in the International Schools Series

Above: Lock Okeamoa-Luamanu on the charge against Scots College in their round-robin meeting earlier in the season.

Six Wellington players have been selected for the New Zealand and Barbarians Secondary Schools' teams. All six are from Scots College and St. Patrick's College Silverstream, the top performing First XV's in the capital this year.

New Zealand Schools

TJ Va'a - Scots College: The son of former Manu Samoa representative Earl Va'a, TJ has been a regular in the Scots College First XV for three seasons. TJ captained the joint National champions in 2014 and has amassed 372 points in the last two seasons. TJ is a very gifted attacking player. He challenges the line often and with authority. He can step off both feet and fends powerfully with his right hand. He has vision, speed and is perhaps the best passer of the ball in secondary school rugby this year. He has the ability to hit wingers flat on the chest in both directions from metres away. Va'a is not the longest-kicker of the ball in general play and defensively he can struggle. However his attacking flair and leadership should see him start in the 10 jersey for New Zealand.

Alex Fidow - The Year 12 tighthead will likely come off the bench in an impact role.? Alex is a very mobile and destructive ball carrying prop. Scots built much of their attack around Alex. He was adept at setting a target in midfield, drawing in defenders for wider attacks on second phase. Alex also roams wide and uses his size to beat defenders one on one. Alex is a very good passer of the ball and he can create for those outside of him. Alex is a fine lineout lifter, but has struggled at times against older opponents in the scrum. It should be noted that Alex has marked some of the best loose head props in the country like Ayden Johnston (Hamilton BHS) and Joel Hintz (St Pat's Silverstream).

Malo Tuitama - The centre from Porirua scored 60 tries in 37 games for Scots; Malo is a very exciting prospect.? He has searing acceleration, a powerful fend and swift footwork. Malo is a punishing defender. It's likely that Malo will play on the wing for New Zealand. There are concerns about his distribution. Malo rarely passes, but he hasn't needed to. He does have the skills to pass. New Zealand needs to involve Malo as often as they can on attack, he is genuine game match winner.

Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu - Lui is a dynamic lock out of St Pats Silverstream. He played 47 games in three seasons. Lui has the height and hands to dominate the lineouts and kick-offs, but his greatest strength is running. Lui is an explosive carrier. He scored a memorable individual try, bursting 40-metres, to help Silverstream beat Scots College in the round-robin of Premier One. He has bumped off several hapless defenders this season. Lui's discipline can lapse at times, but when he is switched on he is real handful for any opponent. Lui is the younger brother of Mathew Luamanu - the former Wellington, North Harbour and Upper Hutt Rams No. 8.

New Zealand Barbarians

Jarrod Adams - Jarrod "Rampage" Adams played 53 games for Silverstream and scored 19 tries. The midfielder or winger is a powerful runner who fends strongly with both hands and has great leg drive after contact. Distribution and kicking are areas for Jarrod to work on, but defensively he is solid. Great to watch in full flight!?

Losi Filipo - Losi was identified by the Warriors when he was 14. He played a whole season on the wing as a Year 10. In 2013 he was ruled out with a broken leg. In 2014 he played centre and scored 11 tries. Losi has explosive acceleration, a centre's swerve and has added a Ma'a Nonu sabre kick in 2014. Losi passes well in both directions and can hit hard in defence, but sometimes he gets caught out of position chasing the big hit. Occasionally Losi is ill-disciplined; he had four yellow cards this season. Losi may well play on the wing. If involved regularly he could cause havoc.??

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