Rugby: Auckland favourites in U19 event

Auckland A will be one of the hot favourites to win the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament, kicking off tomorrow in Taupo.

There is some prime talent in the Mark Hooper-coached side, and they will face Taranaki in the later televised game in what is effectively a quarter-final.

All the ITM unions, plus an Auckland B side, and a Heartland XV will feature.

The tournament is split into two divisions, eight in the Premiership playing for the Graham Mourie Cup, while the eight in the Championship division are gunning for the Michael Jones Trophy. Others in the Premiership are Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington, Otago, Bay of Plenty and North Harbour.

"We've got players here pushing for (2015) NZ Under 20s' selection, and this tournament is going to be a pretty high standard, given that all the top under 19 players in the country are going to be all together for the first time," said Hooper.

Auckland A can call upon several 2013 NZ Schools players, among them lock Jamie Lane and prop Mike Tamoieata, not to mention the duo of hooker Ieremia Mataena and utility back William Talataina-Mu, who played for the Samoan Under 20s in June's JWC. Hooker Liam Polwart, younger brother of Sean, will skipper the side.

North Harbour, coached by former Steelers coach Greg Aldous and former All Black Lee Stensness, looks to have a useful squad that will finish much higher than their senior rep team.

Again there is a mix of under 21 club talent, with only a handful of these first-year school-leavers playing premier club rugby.

Captain is No 8 Dillon Wihongi, out of the champion 2013 St Kentigern First XV, but there are other players who have come straight from the 2013 Auckland 1A competition and are trying their luck over the bridge, such as No 8 Samson Fualalo and prop Felix Alefaio out of Kelston Boys' High.

The talented Law brothers from Westlake Boys', Callum and Sean, will feature in the backline, as will centre Environ To'o of Massey.

North Harbour face Wellington, who are bolstered by the likes of first five Chase Tiatia coming down from the ITM Cup, so Aldous will hope his injury problems ease by tomorrow so they can make an early mark on the tournament.

Counties Manukau do not appear to have as much depth, with most players not playing regular premier club rugby, but there are some chips off the old block, and some talent out of the successful St Kentigern First XV. Loose forward Cody Wheeler and halfback Finlay Christie will be ones to watch, as will fullback/wing Sam Furniss, who has reversed the trend by returning from Canterbury.

The captain is No 8 Cameron Flavell, while 2013 NZ Schools first five George Taina, a player with sharp stepping ability, has passed a late fitness test.

Wing Connor Brooke-Cowden is son of former All Blacks flanker Mark, while halfback Aaron Coe is son of Steelers lock Jim.

Counties Manukau play Southland tomorrow in their opening Championship match.

• In the ITM Cup, Counties Manukau host Wellington in Pukekohe at 5.35pm, knowing victory would go a long way to avoiding relegation, while the winless Lions will be hoping No 8 Victor Vito can inject some much-needed life into their campaign, four days out from a Ranfurly Shield challenge in Napier.