Nelson College 1st XV Rewarded For Its Efforts
Nelson College trio Saumaki Saumaki, Oliver Gibbons and Harry Inch have been selected for the New Zealand Schools U18 squad. Here they are pictured after Nelson College beat Southland Boys' High School to win the South Island championship last month. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.
Three of the key figures in Nelson College’s record breaking rugby season have been named in the New Zealand Schools U18 squad.
First five and captain Harry Inch, halfback Oliver Gibbons and loose forward Saumaki Saumaki are in the 24 strong group which will play three international matches in Hamilton next month.
Tauranga Boys’ College has the biggest representation, four, despite failing to qualify for the national finals in Palmerston North earlier this month where Nelson won its first ever Top 4 match.
The schools squad also includes three players from Christchurch Boys’ High School which Nelson beat last month.
Two other Nelson College players, prop Samuela Takapu and centre Fanua Fa’avae have been selected for the New Zealand Barbarians U18 squad which is effectively the New Zealand schools “B” side.
Loose forward Kobe Brownlee, who scored two tries in the semi-final win over Kelston College, made the New Zealand U18 squad. Harry, Oliver and Saumaki are in line to play Samoa, Australia and Fiji U18 teams in the space of nine days.
The Barbarians and Māori teams will both get two matches each in Hamilton.