CONTENDERS

HASTINGS BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Hastings earned every plaudit and prize in 2016 but now face the biggest challenge – themselves. The element of surprise has well and truly disappeared.

The core of the side are returning, including all six of their 2016 national reps, and keeping their feet planted will be the key. They only leaked five tries in the Super 8 last year and the scary news is their attack has plenty of room for improvement.

The right players in the backline are there and in the versatile Danny Toala, organiser Lincoln McClutchie and multi-faceted Folau Fakatava they have the weaponry to hurt oppositions.

A hard-working pack is a given and as long as the desire is there, Hastings have the opportunity to make this once-in-ageneration team part of school legend.

HAMILTON BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

The true test of Nigel Hotham and Hamilton Boys’ rugby programme will be in Round 1 of the Super 8 as a mere five regular starters come back for 2017.

But, it’s not like this hasn’t happened before and to say Hamilton are the standard bearer for the competition is an understatement as nine of the last 11 titles have gone their way.

However, 2017 is potentially one of the biggest tests as the Hastings team that knocked them off their perch last year is remarkably intact. The production line of quality local players will be certain to continue and in Quinn Tupaea, the Hamilton backline have genuine class and power and much will be expected of him with such a young team around him.

ROTORUA BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

For the team that boasts the second best record in Super 8 history, a 16-year title drought is an excessively long time. Proud Bay of Plenty man and new coach Ruki Tipuna is starting from scratch and has only half-a-dozen players from last year’s third-place finish.

Why the optimism? With a rich nursery of raw talent, Tipuna can build around Hayze Perham at centre who he says is “the boy who turns heads”. Razor sharp on attack and a wizard on his feet, Perham was signed by the Penrith Panthers as a 15-year-old and has played schoolboy rugby league for New Zealand, suggesting he could be lost to New Zealand rugby later this year.

Even with a young squad, Tipuna will get the best out of the Rotorua rugby conveyor belt that keeps rolling year in and year out and writing the team off isn’t an option.