Rugby: Steamers snare Te Puke prospects

Joe Webber, left, and Isaac Te Aute, pictured at All Blacks Sevens training at Blake Park, have signed contracts with Bay of Plenty Rugby. Photo / Andrew Warner

Bay of Plenty's outside back depth has been strengthened with the signing of two outstanding prospects at different stages of their development.

Waikato winger Joe Webber and Rotorua Boys' High School's exciting fullback Isaac Te Aute have signed contracts with the union. Both are from Te Puke although they have made their names in the game outside of the Western Bay region and are part of Sir Gordon Tietjens' All Blacks Sevens squad.

Webber, 22, played for New Zealand Under-20s in 2013, the All Blacks Sevens since 2011 and the Maori All Blacks last year. He has been a regular with Waikato in the ITM Cup since 2012.

Te Aute, 19, captained Rotorua Boys' to the Top Four national First XV title this year and has also represented New Zealand at touch.

"I am really stoked to have signed with the Bay and I am staying here in the Bay," Te Aute said.

"I have got family here, Sevens and 15s are here so I am pretty happy with that. I am pretty excited to see what will come next year.

"I always wanted to play for the Steamers. I am a Bay boy, born and bred from Te Puke. I went to Fairhaven Primary, Te Puke Intermediate and then Rotorua Boys'. You always want to play for your home colours."

Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive, Mike Rogers, is excited to have signed such outstanding young players.

"First and foremost for us, they are both Bay of Plenty boys," Rogers said. "Joe has been away for a little while playing in the Waikato so to get him back is part of our strategy to get our talented players back playing the blue and gold. That is pretty exciting for us.

"Joe wanted to come and play for the Bay. He is pretty excited about wearing his home colours and wants to set himself up here in the Bay.

"Isaac has obviously been pretty successful in his time at Rotorua Boys' and has made it into the national Sevens team.

"So to retain him when he was pretty sought after around the rugby community in New Zealand is pretty important to us to be able to achieve that," he said.

"We see there is still a lot of growth in Isaac but given his inclusion in the All Blacks Sevens then I think there is the definite possibility that he could play for the Steamers next year. I guess it is just how quickly we can develop him. But being in a full-time rugby environment is certainly going to help his cause.

"It is up to Isaac really. He is going to have every opportunity to make the Steamers next year if he continues to develop like he is."