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Chance for school leavers to make their marks in Swindale Shield

Swindale Shield Premier | 02 April 2014 | Adam Julian

From First XV rugby to the Swindale Shield. There are a number of first year school leavers set to make an impression in senior Wellington Club Rugby this year, such as HOBM wing Frances Tanuvasa above, playing for in last month's Spillane tournament. Adam Julian from Sky Sport College Rugby takes a look at some of the top young prospects in the capital.

Chase Tiatia - (St Patrick's College, Silverstream/Hutt Old Boys Marist)

Chase Tiatia made his Swindale Shield debut last week against Tawa and scored an impressive try in a heavy defeat. Earlier he had scored a hat-trick in the Spillane Cup semi-final, a trophy that was retained by HOBM for a fifth consecutive year.

Tiatia is a first five-eighth out of Hutt Valley High School originally, before transferring to St Pats Silverstream where he spent two years in the First XV. Those two seasons were extremely successful for Tiatia. He won two man-of-the-match awards in nationally televised games, earned selection for the Wellington U18s and impressive with his authoritative play. Tiatia talks a lot, takes the ball to the line strongly, kicks left-footed and can pass with speed and accuracy in both directions.

He was injured late last season which may have cost him a place in the New Zealand Schools' team and harmed Silverstream's chances of defending their Premier One trophy.

Frances Tanuvasa (Hutt Valley High School/Hutt Old Boys Marist)

Last year Hutt Valley High School lost narrowly to Rongotai College in a grading final to miss representation in Premier One for the first time since 2004; it was a shame for Tanuvasa as he was playing at a level of rugby that did an injustice to his ability.

A strong wing and centre with the pace to beat a man on the outside, or the power to go through them, Tunuvasa played over 50 games for the Hutt Valley High School First XV and earned selection to the Wellington U18s last year. He made his Premier club competition debut against Tawa last Saturday.

Josh Roberston-Weepu (St Patrick's College Silverstream/Wainuiomata)

The fullback who is a nephew of All Black Piri Weepu was a prolific scorer for the First XV at Silverstream. In 2012 he scored 103 points and in 2013 he amassed 146. Weepu famously kicked two penalties in the 2012 Premier One Final, at the Hutt Rec, when Silverstream upset massive favourites Wellington College by 6-3. In the 2013 final he was outstanding scoring 17 points in a narrow defeat.

Weepu who has earned representative honours in touch, league and rugby, is a player who relishes running the ball. He brings size, strength, a sharp right foot step and a booming punt to any team.

Sam McNicol (Napier Boys' High School/Petone)

McNicol was the starting fullback for the New Zealand Secondary Schools' team last year when they beat Australia by 17-16. McNicol says his favourite player is Christian Cullen and that shines through with his attitude to the game.

A willing runner with the ability to step off both feet, McNicol caused plenty of headaches for schoolboy defences last year until a mid-season injury kept him on the side-lines for some weeks.

McNicol has impressed insiders at Petone with his humble and dedicated approach to the game. He has put on considerable size since leaving school and made a solid debut against Wellington last weekend.

Willie Tufui (Naenae College/Petone)

Last season was a fairytale for Naeane College. From Premier 3 in 2010, they made the Premier One semi-finals last year, despite having only 26 senior rugby players. It was the first time since 1994 that Naenae had featured in the Top four of Premier 1. Naeane beat Rongotai College twice and knocked over Press Cup Champions Marlborough Boys' High School in Blenheim.

A big part of their success was winger and centre Willie Tufui. An imposing physical specimen, Tufui has a good work ethic and the power to steamroll many opponents. He scored a hat-trick on Westpac Stadium for the Wellington U18s against Manawatu last year.

James Blackwell (Wellington College/Petone)

Blackwell was the Head Boy of Wellington College in 2012, but missed the entire rugby season with a leg injury. Despite sound exam results, Blackwell boldly repeated school for rugby in 2013 which turned out to be a great decision. Blackwell was appointed captain of the New Zealand Barbarians team and led Wellington College to the National Top Four.

A lock, who may well switch to blindside flanker due to a relative lack of height, Blackwell was possibly the best lineout jumper in New Zealand Schools' rugby last year and is deceptively physical at the breakdown.

Blackwell was a member of the Wellington U18s last year, but has recently struggled with injury again.

Teariki Ben-Nicholas (King's College /Old Boys University)

Teariki Ben-Nicholas has made the move from Auckland to Wellington to study at Victoria University and become a member of the WRFU academy. The No. 8 impressed last year at King's College with his ball carrying ability, physicality in defence and general work rate.

The 1A Auckland Secondary Schools competition is arguably the toughest in the world. King's made the semi-finals and was also the only school to defeat National Champions, Hamilton Boys' High School, so Nicholas comes with hard rugby under his belt. Nicholas had been in the Auckland rep system for a number of years.

Wesley Goosen (Wellington College/Old Boys' University)

Wesley Goosen missed the first half of First XV rugby last year, but when he returned his direct running, subtle touches and leadership from second five-eighth added much to the Wellington College team.

Goosen might have been the single biggest factor why Wellington College made the Top Four. He was outstanding on defence in the Premier 1 final, scored a try and was an obvious man of the match in the Hurricanes final and then played solidly in the National Top Four semi-final which Wellington narrowly lost to Hamilton Boys'.

Goosen was selected for the New Zealand Schools' team and scored a try in the one-point win over Australia. He has the size and smarts to be an effective midfielder in senior rugby.

Pakai Turia (Wellington College/Poneke)

Pakai Turia is a mercurial talent. The first five-eighth, with no shortage of flair, appeared to suffer from a crisis of confidence last year until the Premier 1 semi-final against Scots College. Wellington won 27-0 and Turia was mesmerising! He kicked a dropped goal and set up two tries, from deft kicks, as Wellington powered into the final.

In the final Turia was even better! In wet and windy conditions he kicked 20 points (seven goals from seven attempts) as Wellington upset Silverstream, 25-22. Turia was then injured in the Hurricanes final and missed the National semi-final which was a major blow for Wellington because Turia with his confidence up is a daring and exciting player.

Aleks Noble-Campbell (St Pat's Town/Petone)

The captain of the 2013 First XV and winning McEvedy Shield athletics team is a stocky-built winger who was a classy sprinter at school. He is also a useful footballer having made the Wellington U18s last year. Better suited to the wing, Noble-Campbell can also cover fullback where his kicking game has improved and he started out as a first five-eighth.

Aleks, along with Josh Robertson-Weepu, was a member of the 2013 New Zealand Marist Colleges team. Aleks is the son of premier referee Gordon Noble-Campbell.??

Leni Aipasi (Wellington College/Northern United)

Leni Aipasi made the move from Aotea College to Wellington College in 2013 and it proved to be a great decision. The superior coaching and resources at Wellington College helped the hooker become a New Zealand Schools' representative. Aipasi's biggest strength is his ball carrying. Explosive and busy he is like a fourth loose-forward. Aipasi's throwing accuracy and scrum technique improved in 2013. A humble boy, Aipasi has the athletic ability to go places should he continue to work hard.

Honourable Mentions: