NZ age-group selections named

NZ age-group selections named

• TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

NZ 16s & 18s merit teams have been named from results at this month's NZRL National High Performance Camp at Rotorua.

Neither side has fixtures scheduled for this year, but the "paper selections" are a reward for those athletes that stood out at the national trials on the camp's final day.

Canterbury's Jordan Riki was named 16s Most Valuable Player, after scoring two tries in Team Mannering's 44-38 win over Team Luke in the early game, while Rory Ferguson from Otago was the stand-out performer for Team Bromwich in their 60-18 win over Team Johnson in the 18s match-up.

"It's a massive accomplishment to be recognised as one of the best players in the country," says NZRL talent development manager David McMeeken.

"Hopefully, their selection, along with the lessons they take away from the camp, will provide these players with a stepping stone towards future international and professional careers.

"At this level, whenever you step out on the field, there's always someone watching."

The merit teams are:

NZ 16s
Number Player Zone
1 Emanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard Akarana
2 Uenuku Malesala Counties Manukau
3 Kayal Iro Akarana
4 Matthew Timoko Akarana
5 Starford Toa Akarana
6 Regan McClennan Akarana
7 Vito Tevaga Akarana
8 Jordan Riki Southern
9 Matagi Blade-Kamuhemu Akarana
10 Lewis Afeaki Akarana
11 Asu Kepaoa Akarana
12 Kakoi Togoiu Counties Manukau
13 Tyler Slade Akarana
14 Josh Ka Counties Manukau
15 Josh Rawiri Southern
16 Taylor Fiu Counties Manukau
17 Talavou Gavet Akarana

NZ 18s
Number Player Zone
1 Mark Graham Akarana
2 Morgan Harper Upper Central
3 Rahiri Witehira Akarana
4 Siave Togoiu Counties Manukau
5 Preston Riki Akarana
6 Kiani Marshall Counties Manukau
7 Zae Wallace Akarana
8 Caleb Uele Akarana
9 AJ (Anthony) Murray Akarana
10 Nathan Newton Akarana
11 Dylan Clark Upper Central
12 Fine Vakautakakala Akarana
13 Rory Ferguson Southern
14 Emerson Gray Mid Central
15 Wesley Veikoso Mid Central
16 Utah Ikoa Akarana
17 Iloa Ma'afu-Roberts Akarana

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