Marino Mikaele-Tu'u's blockbusting rugby season has been rewarded.
The powerful Hastings Boys' High School No8 was the sole Hawke's Bay player named in the New Zealand Schools team yesterday. He is the first player from the school to make the team since Chiefs and Waikato prop Ben Tameifuna did in 2009.
Mikaele-Tu'u played a prominent role as the HBHS 1st XV recorded a top-four finish in their Super 8 competition this year. He built on the form which saw him selected in the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team last year.
New Zealand Schools coach Dave Hewett is pleased with the mix of experience and ability in his 26-player squad. "This year the calibre of talent across the College XV programme was particularly high, with consistent performances throughout making for the final selection for the team pretty difficult ... These guys have played great rugby throughout the season with each and every one fully deserving of the black jersey. I'm looking forward to seeing them develop ... "
Mikaele-Tu'u's twin brother, winger Antonio, was one of five Hawke's Bay players to make the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team. The others are Napier Boys' High School prop Tim Farrell, Lindisfarne College first five-eighth Tiaan Falcon, former Hastings Boys' High School loosie Ajay Mua and former Napier Boys' High School centre Bailyn Sullivan.
