Young Boys’ High first XV seek improvement
Losing two generational-level talents is tough, but this season’s young Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1st XV is not lacking in potential.
The team kick off their 2017 campaign on Sunday against Lindisfarne with a host of players looking to impress in the absence last year’s school leavers.
New Zealand Secondary Schools captain Brayden Iose and New Zealand Barbarians flanker Matene Ruawai leave a massive hole in the team.
But coach Blair van Stipriaan said it would be a mistake to hunt for players to fill the duo’s boots.
‘‘Your Braydens and your Matenes are generational players,’’ he said. ‘‘You don’t ever try and replace them.’’
Instead he said it was a case of creating opportunities for other players to step up with their own unique skills.
Their is no lack of talent this year, especially in the form of first five-eighth Stewart Cruden and wing-centre James Stratton.
Stratton, year 13, is in his fourth season with the team and has the ability to bust games open.
Even in an injury-affected 2016, he was the side’s most dangerous back.
If he can stay on the park, New Zealand Secondary Schools honours are not out of his reach.
Cruden, year 12, will be all the better for playing two years of 1st XV rugby already.
His kicking ability and the maturity he brings to running the backline will be leaned on heavily this year.
Also back in the backline from last year are Jacob Hewetsontalamaivao and Sam Stewart.
Mackenzie Tansley will bring some much needed experience to the forward pack at openside flanker.
He will be joined by Tyler Laubscher.
Laubscher, who can cover flanker, No 8 and lock, spent time at a Samoa sevens training camp earlier this year under the eye of Gordon Tietjens.
van Stipriaan said he was an exciting prospect.
‘‘Tyler is going to be a pretty exceptional player and he brings different elements to the game than what Brayden brought. Going forward he could be quite special.’’
He hoped to build on their rough season in 2016 in terms of results.
‘‘We felt we weren’t too far off at the end of last year,’’ he said. ‘‘The results were disappointing, but if you look at the amount of bonus points we had, we were close to the other teams.
‘‘We are an exceptionally young team this year, even our year 13s are under 17. You stop short of saying this is a building year, but it is going to be pretty testing.’’