Lions players bolster Wellington Under 19s for nationals

Five Wellington Lions players have been released to the province's Under 19 squad for the Jock Hobbs Memorial national tournament in Taupo.

Current Mitre 10 Cup players fullback Peter Umaga-Jensen, prop Alex Fidow, hooker Asafo Aumua, wing Losi Filipo and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere have been named in Wellington's 25-man squad for the prestigious five-day tournament.

Wellington Under 19s head coach Zak Feaunati said it had been a tough squad to pick with a big group of players putting their hands up for selection over the past month.

"We've had a good build up in the Hurricanes regional qualifiers with wins over Hawke's Bay and Manawatu the boys are raring to go," Feaunati said.

"It's a very exciting squad which will be well led by Upper Hutt loose forward Josh Brown and having the Lions guys available will be a bonus for everyone. They'll fit right in, they are back playing with their mates and they'll provide the team with a real lift."

Wellington plays Otago in their first match at Owen Delany Park on Thursday in what is effectively a quarterfinal in the 16 team tournament.

The winner will go into the top eight and contest a semifinal in the Graham Mourie Cup, while the loser will drop into the bottom eight to contest the Michael Jones Trophy with the semifinals on Sunday (September 18) and the finals next Wednesday (September 21).

"Our full focus will be on Otago, but when we get together we will touch on the history and when you hear those names you start to appreciate how much this tournament means," Feaunati said. "Jock Hobbs was an icon in rugby, Graham Mourie, Michael Jones, you think about what those guys stood for and they are the sort of people you want your own kids to emulate."

The Wellington Under 19s have played three warm up matches in the build up to the nationals with wins over the Hurricanes Barbarians, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu. The latter two results earned Wellington the Central Regions Shield as well as top seeding in the Hurricanes region for the nationals.

Wellington Rugby head of high performance Earl Va'a said the annual Under 19s tournament was an important event on the union's calendar.

"In terms of player development this is an integral part of our pathway to the Wellington Lions. Many of these players will go on to higher honours in the years to come and this is a great opportunity for them to show their talents on a national stage against their peers.

"For some young players they've already made the next step, but in an era where players' careers often move very fast it's still important to give them a chance to play alongside their mates and none of our Wellington Lions players hesitated when given the opportunity to join the squad."

The full Wellington Under 19s squad to contest the Jock Hobbs Memorial Trophy in Taupo is:

Forwards:  Props: Alex Fidow, Ben Amua-Peseta, Ivan Feupleai, Sitiveni Paongo. Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Benjamin Power. Loose Forwards: Bruce Kauika-Peterson, Folau Vea, Paterson Carter, John Tuia, Joshua Brown (c), Nese Solia. Locks: Isaia Walker-Leawere, Jarimar Schuster. 
Backs: Halfbacks: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Regan Sword. First fives: Sam Fox, Alexander Ropeti. Midfield: Lester Maulolo, Levi Harmon, Maile Koloto. Outsides: Kerrod Foaese, Losi Filipo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Willey Fine.
Coaches: Zak Feaunati and Jamie Williams.