Mannex joins NZ Marist colts tour
Celtic wing Jarrad Mannex is delighted by his selection into the New Zealand Marist colts under 23 side for their internal tour.
On Friday he will join the fivegame, 10-day tour which takes in Wellington, Westport and Nelson.
They will face Hutt Old Boys and Marist St Patricks colts, the Buller development side, Tasman colts and the Wellington Centurion colts.
The 78kg winger has plenty of speed and is not frightened to take on bigger opponents.
Mannex is in his third year in Celtic’s championship-winning senior side and is also in the South Canterbury development squad, having earlier played for the Timaru Boys High School first XV.
He said he was really looking forward to being part of the tour.
‘‘It is a privilege and should be a very good experience.’’
Each year NZ Marist undertake a colts tour with players selected from the 29 affiliated clubs, and later in the year a senior side is named that traditionally takes on the New Zealand Heartland side.
As part of the colts tour the players also visit a number of primary and secondary schools to deliver training.
Celtic president Bede O’Driscoll said the tour was a great opportunity for Mannex.
‘‘We are really pleased for Jarrad and are sure it will be another great tour.
‘‘It will give him the opportunity to expand his skills, knowledge and cultural appreciation of touring through New Zealand within the Marist framework.’’
Celtic have provided a number of players to the national colts and senior Marist sides over the years.
Prop Matt Fetu was named the New Zealand Marist player of the year for last season.