Wellington training squad selected

Above: Upper Hutt Rams fullback Jordan Simpson-Hefft and Poneke flanker Greg Foe have both been named today in a Wellington Rugby Training Squad.

Wellington Lions coach Earl Va’a has named a 30-strong training squad as part of a new initiative to enhance the development of rugby in Wellington.

The squad is designed to cater for those players who fall outside the age group restrictions of Wellington’s academy programme, and are not part of a Super Rugby squad.

Va’a said the new programme came about as a result of last year’s Lions’ season, when a number of club players were called into the provincial team and required to step up to ITM Cup level.

“We need to make these players a key focus of our preparation this year. That way, if they are selected to represent Wellington during the ITM Cup, we know we’ve done everything possible to get them ready for the next level.”

Along with a group of Wellington coaches, Va’a has been running training sessions since the start of February. These sessions were used to identify promising players, with the coaches then selecting their final 30 following round one of Wellington’s premier club rugby competition.

“There will be possibilities for that group to change, depending on form and injuries, but it’s important for us to have that core group of guys training weekly to ensure they get the best preparation possible.

“We’re also looking at is as a chance for a number of coaches in the Wellington scene to come along and upskill as well,” he said.

The incoming coach said the development of this squad would also help to strengthen the region’s club competition, along with the Wellington Development team

The 30 players selected for the squad are;

Prop / Vince Sakaria (MSP), Morgan Poi (OBU), Whetu Henry (Oriental Rongotai), Attila Va’a (Wainuiomata)

Hooker / James O’Reilly (HOBM), Hunter Prescott (Oriental Rongotai)

Lock / Nemani Waka (MSP), Telea Seumanutafa (Tawa)

Loose forward / Ian Kennedy (OBU), Saimone Lomaloma, Pau Halafihi (Oriental Rongotai), Isaac O’Connor (MSP), Greg Foe (Poneke), Dean Brunsden (Northern United), Ben Tupuola(Wainuiomata)

Halfback / Peter Sciascia (MSP), Jared Kahu (Petone), Adam Deck (Wellington)

First five-eighth / Fa’atonu Fili (MSP), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United)

Second five-eighth / Ope Peleseuma (HOBM), Isaia Petelo (MSP), Marvin Karawana (Wainuiomata)

Centre / Tu Umaga-Marshall (Tawa)

Wing / Joe Hill (OBU), Andrew Ellis (Oriental Rongotai), Max Pearson (Upper Hutt Rams)

Fullback / Jordan Simpson-Heft (Upper Hutt Rams), Tau Mamea (Wainuiomata)

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