The BCITO: Waikato Under 19 squad has been named ahead of their 2019 representative campaign and Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament.

BCITO comes on board this season to become the front of jersey and official sponsor of the Waikato Under 19s team.

At last year’s Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 tournament the team missed out of on playing for the Graham Mourie trophy and ended up in the Championship division of the competition. The Waikato team was too strong for the other teams in the Championship division, as they went through the tournament undefeated to lift the Sir Michael Jones trophy, after beating Otago 30-5 in the final.

The team has recently completed three preseason matches beating Waikato Under 23’s, Manawatu Under 19s and North Harbour Under 19’s.

The team now shifts focus to the three seeding matches in the Chiefs pool, the first is this weekend against Taranaki (Home, August 17th) followed by Counties Manukau (Home, August 24th) before their final match against Bay of Plenty (Away, August 31st). The results from those matches will determine their seeding for the upcoming 2019 Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament. The tournament is scheduled to begin on September 8 at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

The BCITO: Waikato U19’s have a new head coach this season in the form of Mark McConnell. McConnell will be assisted in 2019 by Sean Hohneck (Forwards Coach) and Daniel Teka (Backs Coach) in the coaching department.

BCITO: Waikato Under 19’s Head Coach Mark McConnell said, “I am grateful to have this opportunity to lead this group of incredibly talented young men. They have been selected off the merits of their strong club season and this team will be aiming to make it back in the Premiership draw of the competition and to win back the Graham Mourie Cup.

We believe this season we will add another chapter in the province successfully Under 19s program and players from this talented group will go on to represent the province at Mitre 10 Cup level and beyond.”

To follow the progress of the team throughout the season and view their upcoming fixtures, keep an eye on the team's page at www.mooloo.co.nz/Rep-Rugby/Waikato-U19s

2019 BCITO: Waikato Under 19s Squad

Forwards

Albert Nadan – Prop (Leamington)

Stanley Paese – Prop (University)

Jared Ruwhiu-Bott – Prop (Hamilton Marist)

Lewis Taitoko – Prop (Fraser Tech)

Brad Burkhart – Hooker (Fraser Tech)

Nicolas Jeffcoat – Hooker (Hautapu)

Vainikolo Halafihi – Lock (Fraser Tech)

Thomas Martin – Lock (Hamilton Marist)

Brendan Sanders – Lock (Hamilton Marist)

Joel Waru – Lock (Hinuera)

Dion Keogh – Loose Forward (Melville)

Oscar Morrisey – Loose Forward (United Matamata Sports)

Simon Parker – Loose Forward (Hautapu)

Andrew Viane – Loose Forward (Hautapu)

Backs

Quintony Ngatai – Halfback (University)

Cortez-Lee Ratima – Halfback (Otorohanga)

Quinn Collard – First Five (Hamilton Marist)

Rivez Reihana – First Five (Melville)

Paula Mahe – Centre (Hautapu)

Terry Pongi – Centre (Fraser Tech)

Lisiate To’ofohe – Centre (Fraser Tech)

Aaron Vercoe – Centre (Leamington)

Jack McConnell – Wing (Hamilton Old Boys)

Daniel Sinkinson – Wing (Melville)

Valynce Te Whare – Wing (Fraser Tech)

Logan Karl – Fullback (Te Awamutu Sports)

Dillon Martin – Fullback (Suburbs)

Article added: Thursday 15 August 2019