Reuben O’neill Rugby

Reuben, a prop, gained selection in the New Zealand secondary schools’ rugby side to play games against Samoa and Australia in Auckland. Reuben burst on to the scene this year after missing all of 2011 following an operation to remove a bone cyst on his left foot. Later that year, he was diagnosed with diabetes. He overcame both setbacks, playing strongly for the Boys’ High first XV this year and making the Taranaki under-18 side. A keen gym worker, Reuben has bulked up and now weighs 110kg. He was the first prop from Boys’ High to make the national side since former All Black and Taranaki front rower Gordon Slater.