The Hurricanes have named a 50-strong camp for their 2022 U18 Super Rugby Development Camp taking place October 1 – 5 at the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Trust Centre in Hastings. 

Comprised of identified talent from the Hurricanes region – the squad boasts twelve returnees from the 2021 edition and two sets of brothers out of the Manawatū region. 

Hurricanes Recruitment and Development Manager, Darren Larsen said: 

“This is a step toward a career in rugby for these young men. The opportunity that’s presented in front of them will give them an insight into life as a professional athlete, both on and off the field.  

“Some players may go on and be playing NPC next year, others will join our provincial union academies to accelerate their development as young people and players,” said Larsen.  

Of the returnees – 18-year-old Manawatū first-five Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula comes in having led the Manawatū Evergreens during the provincial development season, as well as being part of the Hurricanes U20s during May’s Super Rugby U20s tournament in Taupo. He’s joined by his younger brother, Moses, a front rower out of St Andrew’s College who will join the Manawatū Academy in 2023. 

Feilding High School Hooker, Vernon Bason, who was named in the NZ Secondary Schools side in 2021 returns and is joined by younger brother, 17-year-old Mosese, a promising loose forward. 

Napier Boy’s High School – runners up at the recent National Top Four in Palmerston North, with eight members of their side selected, headlined by returnees Corey Berkett and Max Ratcliffe, alongside another ten players from the region. 

Heartland region representatives at the camp – the returning Konradd Newland is joined by his Whanganui Collegiate teammate Joshua Brunger, as well as Rathkeale College’s Wiremu Bartlett out of Wairarapa-Bush. 

Fresh from winning the Tranzit Coachlines 1st XV Premiership title – Silverstream prop Senio Sanele returns alongside his teammates, Toby Mallon and Lennox Easthope. 

Personal leadership – leading yourself and leading people – is a key part of the camp, with the players learning from the coaching staff, performance, and well-being staff within the Club. 

“250 players will gather across the course of the week – all at different stage of their development as people and players, some into academies and further education, some returning for their final year of school – these camps provide both the Hurricanes and NZ Rugby development staff an opportunity to work with these players in a centralised environment,” said Larsen. 

A step on the path to professional rugby, the Super Rugby Development Camps provide the identified talent key information and coaching to support their rugby development, off-field growth and personal leadership, while connecting the players with the Super Rugby Club, to lay foundations for future success as they transition out of college rugby. 

Hurricanes Head Coach, Jason Holland as well as assistants Chris Gibbes, Cory Jane and Tyler Bleyendaal will work closely with the players in their position specific roles through the week as well and Mindset Coach, Luke Rowe and Professional Development Manager, Arden David-Perrott, himself a graduate of the Hurricanes U18 programme on personal leadership and off field development. 

The camp will culminate with two sides taking on the Fiji U18s and a Fiji U18 Selection at Taupo’s Owen Delany Park on Tuesday 4 October.