{"id":4404,"date":"2016-09-23T12:26:27","date_gmt":"2016-09-23T00:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/waibush.co.nz\/?p=4404"},"modified":"2016-09-23T15:51:06","modified_gmt":"2016-09-23T03:51:06","slug":"attacking-rugby-the-focus-for-wairarapa-bush-under-16s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waibush.co.nz\/wp\/2016\/09\/23\/attacking-rugby-the-focus-for-wairarapa-bush-under-16s\/","title":{"rendered":"Attacking rugby the focus for Wairarapa-Bush Under 16s"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Loose
Loose forward Sam Smith is one of 12 Wairarapa College players in the 25-strong McCarthy Transport Wairarapa-Bush Under 16s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Mccarthy\"Pride and a chance to get selected for the junior Hurricanes is what the McCarthy Transport Wairarapa-Bush Under 16s will be playing for in Palmerston North next week.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 25-player squad, coached by Chris Senior, kick the Hurricanes Under-16 Competition off against Wanganui on Monday with high hopes of being very competitive.<\/span><\/p>\n

They are scheduled to play three games over four days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Senior says there is an exciting feel about the team, with some really talented young players who have some \u201cserious skill and potential\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The squad is an excellent representation of the district drawing on six colleges, including Tararua College.<\/span><\/p>\n

Senior says there is a big a focus on playing an attacking style of rugby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTraditionally Wairarapa is not a large physical team, so we have to focus on ball movement and skill to beat teams,\u201d Senior says.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team\u2019s most recent outing, against Wellington Development in the capital last weekend, ended in a 38-8 defeat. But Senior says there was still a lot to be positive about the performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe failed to capitalise on opportunities and struggled with the physical difference in size in the heavy conditions, but played well in patches.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The match was played in atrocious conditions which didn\u2019t suit Wairarapa\u2019s attacking style.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the up-and-coming players next week\u2019s tournament could be a pivotal moment in their rugby careers. It is the first real opportunity for players to be noticed in the Hurricane youth system, with the best players picked for Hurricane Under-17 team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key players for Wairarapa-Bush will be : Harry McKay (utility), Rory Mckee (loose forward), Sam Smith (loose forward) and Lucas Megaw (lock), Isaac Bracewell (half-back), Sam Morison (first-five eighth), Jack Eschenbach (midfield), Cooper Jamieson (midfield\/wing) and Devon Gerrad (wing\/full-back.)<\/span><\/p>\n

FULL SQUAD:<\/span><\/p>\n