Four Bay of Plenty young players, have continued a proud tradition of being recognized as amongst the best age group players in the country.

Carl Axtens, Chris Miller and Te Amo Wilbore are currently participating in a final New Zealand Under 20 trial camp that commenced in Palmerston North on Anzac (25 April 2011) day.

Also eligible for selection in the New Zealand Under 20 team, is Bay of Plenty’s Sam Cane who is in the Chiefs Super Fifteen squad.

The four Bay of Plenty players, are the latest group of Bay youngsters who are advancing along the New Zealand rugby pathway. All are products of the Bay of Plenty age group pathway, and follow the recent footsteps of homegrown All Black Tanerau Latimer.

While Chris Miller played his secondary school rugby in Rotorua, Carl Axtens, Sam Cane and Te Amo Wilbore have made their mark from relatively small Bay of Plenty secondary schools. Chris Miller, is currently the first choice half back for the Whakarewarewa Premier team, who are the competition leaders in the Baywide club rugby competition.

Carl Axtens and Sam Cane, were part of a Reporoa College first fifteen, who progressed from obscurity to regularly compete against the Bay of Plenty heavyweights of Tauranga Boys College and Rotorua Boys High School. Both have earned representation in the previous New Zealand Secondary School teams.

Te Amo Wilbore is another to develop his game from a smaller Bay of Plenty school. First Fifteen rugby for Opotiki College, and Bay of Plenty age group representation, has led on to Te Amo being in the last draft to select the New Zealand Under 20 team

BOPRU Players selected for2011 NZ Under 20 Final Training Camp
Carl Axtens (Tauranga Sports)
Chris Miller (Whakarewarewa)
Te Amo Wilbore (Opotiki Sports)

Also eligible for selection – Sam Cane (Tauranga Sports)

For Further Information Contact
Mike Rogers BOPRU CEO DDI 07 927 1316 029 478 4292