Returning pair in academy squad
Three schoolboy stars and two players returning to the region headline the Manawatu Rugby Academy for 2017.
Academy Manager Greg Fleming has 13 players in his squad for next season and said he was still working with a couple of others who could join them.
‘‘I am really excited about the group,’’ he said.
‘‘We have a couple of guys coming back into the region which is good.’’
Former Feilding High School halfback Tom Stewart is one of those returning.
The goalkicking halfback was a target of the academy last year, but he opted to go to Waikato and was part of the Waikato Under 19 team.
But he has since decided to return home.
He is one of two halfbacks in the academy with Varsity halfback Matt Hathaway rewarded for his stellar Manawatu Under 19 campaign.
Another player returning to Manawatu is prop Tevita Fehoko.
The former Palmerston North Boys’ High School player spent the last year with NRL club the Canberra Raiders, but he has decided to return home.
Fleming said Fehoko has returned in good shape.
‘‘He has come back a fantastic looking athlete,’’ he said. ‘‘He has had a good year’s learning in [the Raiders’] development programme. He played for us the other night and looked good. He has not lost too much of his scrum ability and he has gained a few skills around his ball carrying and defensive work.’’
New Zealand Secondary Schools captain and Palmerston North Boys’ High School No 8
Brayden Iose is the big name in the group.
Iose is also part of the New Zealand Under 20s training squad along with fellow academy player Chris Cairns.
Boys’ High loose forward Matene Ruawai, who was part of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Barbarians team, has also committed to staying in the region.
They join Otago Boys’ High School prop Sione Asi.
Asi signed with the academy last year, but opted to return for a final year at school.
His 2016 season was ravaged with injuries, but he has received a clean bill of health after knee and shoulder surgeries.
Five players return from last season’s academy in Cairns, flankers Kepu Tuifua and Liam Giltrap, midfielder Ueta Tufuga and first five-eighth Joey Te Huna, who spent most of 2016 on the injured list.
Varsity lock Ian Burmeister and Old Boys-marist wing Ben Werthmuller were rewarded for strong club and under 19 campaigns with spots in the academy.
Varsity wing Saia Teumohenga is the only member of last year’s academy team who has left the region.
Teumohenga has returned to Tonga after his visa expired.
Te Kawau lock Liam Mitchell (Spain), OBM midfielder Shadyn Osgood (England) and Te Kawau midfielder Te Atuarere Albert (England) are all spending time overseas, but are expected to return to region next year.