Rugby: Northland juniors pick up tips at Blues camp

Kerikeri High School's Brady Rush. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Several aspiring Northland players took the next step towards a career in rugby recently, joining a group of 50 young athletes from within the Blues region for the second of two under-17 development squad camps.

Northlanders Brady Rush, John Cooper, Thomas Shepherd, Thomas Anderson, Jaydon Connolly, Judah Andrews, Scott Gregory, Dion Hinge and Rivez Reihana all took part in the camp, an event that Blues high performance manager Tony Hanks said would help the players gain more insight into the professional rugby world, while also helping Blues coaches see what young talent is coming through the ranks.

"We were really pleased with how the day went, the young guys responded really well to all our testing and discussion," Hanks said.

"It really helped to have some of our older Blues players around who gave their time to sharing their knowledge with these young guys."

The under-17s were taken through a morning of speed and fitness testing, including a YoYo, speed test, and standing jump.

Blues coaches were on hand to teach the players about basic skills while current Blues players shared position-specific advice, their experiences with professional rugby and the journey to get to the next level.

Rob Cobb, 16, a prop from MAGS, said his highlight from the day was meeting and learning from Charlie Faumuina.

"He gave me some scrum technique tips and gave me some advice on how the game changes as you go up the levels," said Cobb.

While Lemeki Namoa, 15, from Sacred Heart confessed that he was inspired by the experience, meeting his Blues heroes and All Blacks legend Tana Umaga.

"It was cool to have a feel for professional rugby, to have a day of footy and rubbing shoulders with these big names," said Lemeki. "I'm pretty starstruck."

The players enjoyed some off-the-field advice from Blues team nutritionist Dave Shaw, including a protein-shake making workshop, as well as a mental skills discussion with Blues mental skills coach Kylie Wilson.

The next development opportunity for these players will be over the next two weeks.

The Blues have identified a group of under-18 players who are showing huge potential in the sport and will invite them to team training to assist them as they prepare for their final secondary school year.