By Stu Piddington

South Canterbury will have plenty of representatives at the Jock Hobbs Memorial National under-19 rugby tournament in Taupo.

Two players, Temuka halfback Caleb McNoe and Geraldine lock Hamish Prattley, have made the Heartland combined side.

Referee Chris Paul will adjudicate while Pleasant Point's Kelly Walsh is the Heartland side's assistant coach.

The quartet will be joined by another five with South Canterbury links - four of whom were members of Timaru Boys' High School's successful 2017 First XV - who have made the Canterbury team that will be among the favourites. Prop Thomas Edwards (New Brighton), loose forwards Cullen Grace (Lincoln University), Finlay Joyce (HSOB) and front rower Maka Mafileo (Belfast) along with former Roncalli College student Burns Mills (Christchurch) will be wearing red and black.

The tournament kicks off at Owen Delaney Park on Sunday and features 400 players from 16 teams, one team from each of the Mitre 10 Cup provincial unions, plus an Auckland development team and the Heartland unions' combined side.

South Canterbury Rugby chief executive Craig Calder said they were proud of McNoe, Prattley, Paul and Walsh's achievements.

"This demonstrates to our rugby players and community that there are pathways to proceed from a smaller community like South Canterbury.

"These achievements and appointments represent the pillars of our game, refereeing, coaching and playing, the best wishes of the union go to these men."

McNoe has impressed for the Magpies senior side and will be eligible for under-19 tournament again next year while Prattley has also impressed going straight into Geraldine's senior pack this year after playing for Roncalli-Aoraki Combined in 2017.

Prattley said it would be a big step up.

"It will be a great chance to learn a lot. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity."

The 28-year-old Paul appears to be on the refereeing fast track, having only started blowing the whistle four years ago.

He was spotted by former Super Rugby referee Vinny Munro at the South Island under-16 tournament and was then added to the wider national referees' squad.

Paul was also looking to make the most of his opportunity.

"I wasn't expecting it, I thought my next step would be the South Island under-18 tournament."

Walsh's selection as assistant is also deserved.

He first started coaching as a 16-year-old, looking after an under-11, and has spent the past seven years at Pleasant Point coaching the B-side before spending three years with the seniors.

"I am very excited, it's a great opportunity to see how a semi- professional side would operate."

Walsh said he was also rapt for McNoe and Prattley, as well as Paul.

"These opportunities don't come along that often so we all need to make the most of them."

Horowhenua Kapiti's Aleni Feagaiga will be head coach for the Heartland side.

Feagaiga said having a Heartland team encouraged young players to stay involved in the game beyond school, and aspire to be part of the tournament, while giving them a real opportunities to develop their game.

There are also four players from Heartland Championship sides included in the squad,

Connor Paki (Horowhenua Kapiti), Kafaongo Katoa (North Otago), Te Huia Kutia (Thames Valley) and Wairarapa Bush's Jeramiah Mapusua.

Feagaiga said it was great that these guys can remain playing for their Heartland Union, but also be involved in a national set-up where they can stick their hand up for the New Zealand under 20s team.

Article added: Tuesday 04 September 2018