Matamata players in squad

A 58-man NZ Harlequins Under 19 training squad has been named ahead of the 2015 representative season and features plenty of local talent.

Two United Matamata Sports players and seven Hinuera players have been selected.

They are: Sam Rush (Hooker, United Matamata Sports), Luke Arnold (Second Five, United Matamata Sports), Craig Blyde (Prop, Hinuera), Dylan Cover (Lock, Hinuera), Joe Muller (Lock, Hinuera), Luke Roach (Loose Forward, Hinuera), Levi Sydney (Halfback, Hinuera) and Damon Putt (Second Five, Hinuera).

The wider squad will train together in the coming weeks before the NZ Harlequins Under 19 coaching staff of James White, Ben Paurini and Max Kemara name their final squad on July 26.

The NZ Harlequins

Under

19

will compete alongside the Waikato Juniors in the Under 19 Chiefs qualifying round. The schedule for the NZ Harlequins is Bay of Plenty (August 22), Taranaki (August 29), Waikato ( September 5) and Counties Manukau ( September 19). Venues and times for these matches is still being finalised.

The NZ Harlequins Under 19 side are ineligible to qualify for the Jock Hobbs National Under 19 Tournament but the Thames Valley players in the side will have the chance to put their hand up for selection in the Heartland XV which competes at the national tournament.

The matches will expose another tier of Waikato age-group players to high level representative rugby and after their four games the squad will act as a feeder team to the Waikato Juniors for the national tournament.