HBHS rugby loosie impressed with this season's depth
Take a look at the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV rugby side for Saturday's away Super 8 opener against Palmerston North Boys' High School.
Regular co-captains, hooker Jacob Dorward and midfield back Andrew Hayward, have been named on the subs bench which is an indication of the tremendous depth within this season's squad. Sixteen-year-old Year 12 No 8 Cooper Flanders and Year 13 centre Eldius Oli will have the co-captains' roles on Saturday.
"It is a little bit different. I know I'll have to make some hard decisions on the field," Flanders said after last night's training.
When it was put to the younger brother of Hurricanes and Magpies loosie Devan Flanders his promotion could be an indication he is a contender for a regular co-captain's role next year Flanders replied: "Hopefully that's the case."
Flanders pointed out 11 of last year's National Top Four competition winning squad have returned this season. They include winger Mefi Tupou, locks Fraser Taurima-Heperi and Donovan Godinet and himself who will be eligible again next year.
"Our four pre-season games which began with a loss to St Kentigern College before wins against Feilding High School, Lindisfarne College and St Pats Town provided good preparation for the Super 8," Flanders explained.
"We just missed out on the Super 8 title last year. With no National Top Four this year winning the Super 8 is our main goal. We've got a pretty similar squad to last year with plenty of depth ... we just need to bond," Flanders said.
He knows Saturday's hosts will be strong and will field a big front row and a handy midfield combination.
HBHS manager Jason Bird reckoned this season's squad has as much potential as last year's.
"Obviously we've got strength in some areas and not as much in others. But collectively there is a good balance of experience and youth."
Bird said while Hayward, a New Zealand Maori Secondary Schools Sevens rep last year, was returning from injury coaches Tafai Ioasa and Karl Lowe were keen to get him involved as much as possible on Saturday.
"The next eight weeks aren't going to be easy so it's important we keep players fresh when we can."
Bird added Flanders had made rapid progress during the last couple of years and leads by example on and off the field.
"The team has a lot of respect and faith in Cooper and Eldius."
Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV's Super 8 schedule is:
Saturday v Palmerston North Boys' High School away at 12noon;
Saturday, August 1 v Napier Boys' High School at home 12noon;
Saturday, August 8 v Gisborne Boys' High School away at 12noon;
Saturday, August 15 v Rotorua Boys' High School away at 12noon;
Saturday, August 22 v New Plymouth Boys' High School at home at 12noon;
Saturday, August 29 v Hamilton Boys' High School at home at 12noon;
Saturday, September 5 v Tauranga Boys' College away at 12noon.
The HBHS team for Saturday is:
Adam Bibby, Troyden Bird, Eldius Oli (co-captain), Elijah Mataira, Mefi Tupou, Hoera Stephenson, Jehmial Ross, Cooper Flanders (co-captain), Josh Leach, Kaihau Pasikala, Josh Beehre, Fraser Taurima-Heperi, Tini Nu'u, Manahi Goulton, Mosese Fineanganofo. Substitutes: Forwards, Jacob Dorward, Aone Lolofie, Donovan Godinet, Vikta Tavita, Bonham Edwards. Backs, Phillip King-Panapa, Andrew Hayward.
