When the University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20’s squad assembles in Taupo later this week to contest the 2024 Super Rugby Next Generation tournament, six of the nine young men selected from the Bay of Plenty will have firm roots in place from the Bay of Plenty region.

Firstly, a massive congratulations to Aisake Vakasiuola, Aoturoa Seeling, Brooke Mitchell, Faaumia Kupita, Grady Forbes, Kase Meyer will be joined by Sione Tupou, Frank Vaenuku and Fletcher Carpenter who have shifted to the region to continue chasing their dream of becoming professional athletes and earning selection into the 2024 University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20’s team.

Vakasiuloa, Seeling, Mitchell, Kupita, Forbes and Meyer have deep roots to the region, all starting their footy journey at for their local junior rugby club including Katikati, Judea, Kahukura, Greerton Marist, Papamoa and Rangataua.  All continued their footy education at local secondary schools (Katikati College, John Paul College, Tauranga Boys College and Rotorua Boys High School) before earning their way into Bay of Plenty Premier Mens teams Tauranga Sports, Judea, Whakarewarewa and Te Puke Sports and then onto the Bay U19’s and then Chiefs U20’s.  

GM Community Rugby Pat Rae comments, “It’s extremely exciting to see so many home grown talented and extremely hard working young men have earned selection to the Chiefs U20’s.  I simply cannot wait to see them go well at the tournament.  The smile on my face says it all.”

Raman and Danielle Forbes, the parents of Grady Forbes comment, “We are both extremely proud of Grady and his acheievements so far on this journey.  We are both strong supporters of our sons Cole (Blues Fullback) and Grady.  Its been great to see Grady grow into a young man, getting up early in the morning, heading off to trainings and gym and then off to work since he left school 2 years ago.  And with Cole returning for the Steamers and Blues he and Grady have connected as adults, so that’s been cool to watch.”

GM High Performance Rodney Gibbs comments, “We in HP are also extremely proud of the selection of all of these fine young men.  They’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point, but the hard work continues for them all.  They’ve got an extremely tough draw at the tournament and will all need to be at their best if they are to come away with some wins.”

For some of these young men, the New Zealand Under 20’s team to the 2024 Under 20’s World Cup is a definite possibility.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s talent identification system is starting to identify some locally bred talent. 

Rae continues, “Its taken a while to solidify the look and feel of the pathway system but since we introduced the Youth Development Cup in 2021 as the entry point for talent search, our pathway has become really clear.  Our community rep teams, (the Bay U16’s & U18’s), followed by the athlete’s transition into the HP system (the “Toa”), through into Premier Mens rugby, BOP Ngawha and onto the Bay of Plenty Steamers is a clear path now.  As athletes enter this journey, they are exposed to gradual increase in performance systems. Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, Recovery, life balance, technical/tactical, pressure to perform; they all get layered into the athlete as they step up a level.”

Rae continues, “You can’t be, what you can’t see.  Our message is that with a lot of hard work, grit and determination, it’s possible that you can be it, because you can see it.”

The tournament kicks off this Saturday 16^th March 2024 at Owen Delaney Fields Taupo.  It will be televised live on Sky Sports. 

For a full draw, head to: https://www.superrugby.co.nz/u20/

Bay of Plenty representative players selected for University of Waikato Chiefs U20s squad: (Junior club, secondary school, senior club)
 

1. Aisake Vakasiuola, Blindside Flanker, Katikati Junior Rugby, Katikati College, Tauranga Boys College, Tauranga Sports Senior Rugby
2. Aoturoa Seeling, Loose Head Prop, Judea Junior Rugby, Tauranga Boys College, Judea Senior Rugby
3. Brooke Mitchell, Openside Flanker, Kahukura Junior Rugby, John Paul College, Rotorua Boys High School, Whakarewarewa Senior Rugby
4. Faauma Kupita, Tighthead Prop, Greerton Marist Junior Rugby, Tauranga Boys College, Te Puke Sports Senior Rugby
5. Grady Forbes, Openside Flanker, Papamoa Junior Rugby, Tauranga Boys College, Te Puke Sports
6. Kase Meyer, Second Five, Bay of Plenty Rangataua Junior Rugby, Tauranga Boys College, Te Puke Sports
7. Sione Tupou, Hooker, Bay of Plenty, De La Salle College Auckland
8. Frank Vaenuku, Left Wing, Bay of Plenty
9. Fletcher Carpenter, Halfback, Bay of Plenty Rangiuru Senior Rugby

On top of the players selected, six Bay of Plenty Rugby staff are involved in the team management including Head Coach: James Porter, Team Manager: Mickey Tahere, Assistant Trainer: Te Manawa Ngawhika, Head and Assistant Physio: Jodie Spurgon and Nicola Shaw and Video Analyst: Brad Morgan.

Gibbs continues, “Pathways exist for all our people, not just the players.  Our Coaches, team managers, S & C staff, physio’s, video analysts, the opportunities are there if you’re willing to work hard for them.”

Article added: Wednesday 13 March 2024