Rugby: Wanganui U14s unbeaten

Wanganui Under-14 first-five Harry Godfrey was a star turn in his team's unbeaten run in the age group quadrangular lower North Island competition.

The Wanganui Under-14 representative rugby team has dominated in its debut season in a newly-launched quadrangular lower North Island competition designed to keep the age group in the game.

The Mike Lama-coached team went through the competition unbeaten thrashing Horowhenua-Kapiti 79-7 on Saturday, September 2 at Spriggens Park, Manawatu 24-21 in Bulls on September 16 and Wairarapa-Bush 28-24 last weekend in Masterton.

Wanganui Rugby Union development officer Justin Lock said 14 was the first major age for players to drop out of the game, so linking up with the other unions was a sensible move.

"The other unions have had under-14 competition for a few years while we haven't and it's the first age they consider dropping out of the game," Lock said.

"Along with support from the other unions we set up this quadrangular competition and it looks like working."

Lama said many of the under-14 team had also played in the under-13 competition last season with him as coach and they too went through unbeaten.

"In fact, first-five Harry Godfrey has been with me since his under-11 days and he is one of the finds," Lama said.

"He is a talented young player with a bright future and there are others, including loose forward Thomas Pease and hooker Tawhiwhi Karaitiana who will develop further if they chose to stay in the game. Many of them will stay in the same under-14 grade next season, while others will step up to under-16."

Meanwhile, the Ag Challenge Leslie McKenzie-coached Wanganui U16 team will tackle nine other representative sides from within the Hurricanes' region in the Hurricanes' Youth Rugby Council competition next week. The series is hosted by Wanganui.