Hurricanes Hunters and U20s rugby this weekend

The community rugby fields of Wellington and the lower North Island mostly remain subdued for at while longer, but the wider region’s high performance teams are in action this weekend.

The Petone and Pōneke clubs are underway for the first time this year, meeting in a Colts and Senior squads dust off at North Park. Games are at 12.00pm and 2.00pm.

The Hurricanes Hunters Development squad step out for the first time this year to play the Crusaders Development team.

That match is in Christchurch and kicks off at 4.05pm this afternoon.

This is the first of three scheduled matches for the Hurricanes Hunters. The second is against the Chiefs in Hamilton on 4 April and the third is also against the Chiefs in Napier on 19 April.

The second and final leg of the Hurricanes U20s series is at Massey University, Palmerston North, tomorrow.

The three ‘Games of three Halves’ run from 1.00pm to 3.30pm approximately.

The winner of the series collects the Sam Doyle Memorial Trophy.

The series is evenly poised after leg one, with Manawatu beating Hawke’s Bay, Wellington beating Manawatu and then Hawke’s Bay beating Wellington in the three games last Saturday.

These games are also Hurricanes U20s trial matches, and based on the first weekend of matches there will be several players looking to back up and play their way into this squad.

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Aisle be Back: Super Rugby underway this weekend

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Teamlists (as received – all teams subject to change): 

Hurricanes Hunters:

TBC.

Wellington Academy:

1. Elijah Talalupe
2. George White
3. Hamish Huggins
4. Finn O’Sullivan (VC)
5. Johnny Falloon
6. Braith Ingram
7. Drew Berg-McLean
8. Braydon Soi
9. Mike Brown
10. Thompson Tukapua
11. Jacob Denyer
12. Ietitaia Campbell
13. Jacob Kennedy (C)
14. Hayden Patu
15. Stanley Solomon

16. Israel Time
17. Mako Blackman
18. Semurana Fepulea’i
19. Samuel Thompson
20. Ollie Church
21. Brodee Tetevano
22. Dante Ford-Tuveve
23. Taufaeteau Kaufononga
24. Josh Semu
25. Thoma Takeuchi
26 Hunter Andrew

Hawke’s Bay Academy:

1. Konradd Newland (Loosehead)
2. Jericho Wharehinga (Hooker)
3. Kyan Ward (Loosehead, Tighthead)
4. Zach Taulapapa (Lock)
5. Riley Thompson (Lock)
6. Oscar Ritchie © (Blindside)
7. Perez Malo (Openside)
8. Metu Manase (No.8)
9. Le’Sharn Reiri-Paku (Halfback)
10. Luke Thomas (First Five)
11. CJ Mienie (Wing, Centre)
12. Sio Folau (12)
13. Sunia Ragede (12, Centre)
14. Mokau Lambert (Wing, Fullback)
15. Bogi Kikau (Fullback)

16. Troy Thomas (Hooker)
17. Membrenz Tahu (Tighthead)
18. Kelepi Tuakalau (Loosehead)
19. Tori Randell (Lock, 6)
20. Kane Ngawhare (Lock, 7)
21. Marcus Leach (Halfback)
22. Charlie Nash (Wing)
23. Walter Kava (Wing, Fullback)
24. Takeshi Isihara (Hooker)

Manawatu Academy:

1. Josiah Johnston
2. Henele Oliveti
3. Kruiz Ioane
4. Kepa Bryce
5. Sam Dyer
6. Van Prenter
7. Reuben Nelley (C)
8. Mosese Bason (VC)
9. Kallum Gullery
10. Jai Tamati (VC)
11. Malachi Kurei
12. Ollie Cole
13. James Parkinson
14. Arje Beveridge
15. Kami Ratuiba

16. Conley Alexander
17. Sam Masoe
18. Nico Metuariki
19. Siaosi ‘Asi
20. 20.Tom Dyer
21. Marika Delai
22. Zac Filer
23. Ajae Hansen
24. 24.Zach Ratuki
25. 25.Tevita Fakahau
26. Jack Delaney
27. Otis Blake
28. 28.Pita Manamanivalu
29. Liam O’Connor