Hurricanes Shield squads highlight WRFU development programme
Three impressive representative squads named to contest the 2017 Hurricanes Shield and Festival Cup will show-case the growing depth of talent in Wellington senior rugby.
The respective Wellington Centurions, Wellington Maori and Wellington Samoan representative squads feature 100 of the best players from this year's Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup competitions.
Wellington Rugby Academy Manager Rick Whatarau said an extended development programme was designed to build depth below the Wellington Lions and provide a representative pathway for a wider group of club players.
"We've worked hard over the past few years to build depth in our senior ranks and it's crucial to make sure our club players know there is a legitimate pathway for them to showcase their skills and progress to the next level if they are good enough.
"A big focus has been on communicating better to our club players and new Lions coaches Chris Gibbes, Andre Bell and Rodney So'oialo have driven that."
The three Wellington squads named will each play four matches in the Hurricanes Shield, which also includes the Manawatu Development team and last year's champions the Hawkes Bay Saracens.
The Festival Cup, currently held by Wellington Maori, will be contested amongst the three Wellington squads.
At the conclusion of the competition a Wellington Development team will be selected to play the respective Development Teams from Tasman (September 30), Canterbury (October 7) and Auckland (October 14).
The Wellington Development Team, which will provide support behind the Wellington Lions Mitre 10 Cup side, will be coached and selected by former representative players Dion Waller, Scott Waldrom, and Riki Flutey.
Wellington Centurions (25)
Brandyn Laursen (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Chris Mafi, Anthony Pettett (Johnsonville), Isaac O'Connor (Marist St Pats), Leon Ellison (Northern United), Sam Coventry, Augustin Escalona, Matt Fowler, Patrick Hausman, Teegan Minkley, Dale Sabbagh, Stu Simonsen (Old Boys University), Blake Neve (Paremata-Plimmerton), Charlie Pahulu (Petone), Andrew Jones, Pakai Turia (Poneke), James Coburn, Taniela Koroi, Peniasi Tokakece (Tawa), Troy Mohr, Daniel Schrijvers (Upper Hutt Rams), Alex Dalzell, Sam Gardner, Paddy Hughes, Ollie Sappsford (Wellington)
DRAW
August 26: v Wellington Maori, Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
September 2: Bye
September 9: v Hawke's Bay Saracens, Tremain Field, Napier, 2.45pm
September 16: v Manawatu Development, Central Energy Trust Stadium, Palmerston North, 2.30pm
September 23: v Wellington Samoans, Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
*Times and venues subject to change
Wellington Maori (33)
Tiwi Davies, Levi Grace, Mykel Herewini, Levi Kemp, Dean Ropata, Eammon Tawhiwhirangi, Mannasah Wineera (Johnsonville), Joe Walding-Karaitana (Marist St Pats), Perry Hayman (Northern United), Jonathon Fuimoano (Old Boys University), Andy Ellis, Declan Hay, Jarrod Henry, Whetu Henry, Hayden Whelan (Oriental-Rongotai), Danny Herewini, Tane McMillan-Parata (Paremata-Plimmerton), Jarrod Adams, Mateaki Kafatolu, Bruce Kauika-Peterson, Taurima Morrison, Piri Paraone (Petone), Api McMillan-Parata, Greg Mullany, Rhys Reiri (Poneke), Randall Bishop, Hemi Fermanis, TJ Fermanis (Tawa), Apa Hemi, Rei Heremia, Max Pearson, Sam Wasley (Upper Hutt Rams), Frae Wilson (Wainuiomata).
DRAW
August 26: v Wellington Centurions, Jerry Collin Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
September 2: v Manawatu Development, Central Energy Trust Stadium, Palmerston North, 1pm
September 9: v Wellington Samoans, Jerry Collin Stadium, Porirua, 2.45pm
September 16: v Hawke's Bay Saracens, Jerry Collin Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
September 23: Bye
*Times and venues subject to change
Wellington Samoans (42)
Laman Ah Wong, Fred Pule , Fa'alalo Wright, Tui Yandall (Avalon), Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu, Fereti Soloa (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Marcus Ale, Kane Thompson, Jeff Makapelu (johnsonville), Fa'atonu Fili, Kerrod Foaese, Ken Kapeli, Valentine Meechen, Dudley Parsons, Matt Peni, Isaia Petelo, Ryan Setefano (Marist St Pats), Johnwhite Silva, Fala Tuala (Northern United), Junior Makapelu (Old Boys University), Paulo Aukuso, Nu'uuli Lene, Penieli Poasa, Tukia Purcell, Hinckley Siaosi, Aukuso Tuitama (Oriental-Rongotai), Taisson Lealeisalanoa (Paremata-Plimmerton), Jimmy Hewitt, Heemi Tui (Poneke), Josh Brown, Joyner Key, Jayden Treviranus (Upper Hutt Rams), Ato Fa'amau, Tito Ioane, Sa Luatua, Telea Seumanutafa, Elijah Va'a-Brooking (Tawa), Nash Fiso-Vaelei, Andrew Mamea, Isaiah Mamea, Tutasi Masoe, Ben Tupuola (Wainuiomata).
DRAW
August 26: v Manawatu Development, Jerry Collin Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
September 2: v Hawke's Bay Saracens, Tremain Field, Napier, 2.45pm
September 9: v Wellington Maori, Jerry Collin Stadium, Porirua, 2.45pm
September 16: Bye
September 23: v Wellington Centurions, Jerry Collin Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
*Times and venues subject to change