Manawatū Rugby has recruited a strong Academy intake for 2024, which includes three New Zealand Schools representatives, a New Zealand Under 20 player, and another five players from the Hurricanes Under 18 camp.

2023 New Zealand Schools players Logan Wallace (Palmerston North Boys’ High School) and Mosese Bason (Feilding High School) are among the twelve Year One Academy players. 2022 New Zealand Schools representative Jai Tamati has also joined the Academy out of Rotorua Boys’ High School.

Bason and Tamati were recently selected in the New Zealand Under 18 Boys Sevens team for the upcoming Global Youth Sevens. Tamati was named Player of the Tournament at the Condor Sevens earlier this month.

The Year One intake has a strong local contingent, which also includes Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s Liam O'Connor and James Parkinson, and Feilding High School’s Josiah Johnston,  Jack Delaney, Michael Stassen, and Henele Oliveti.

Manamanaivalu has been recruited out of Whanganui Collegiate School.

Wallace, Bason, Tamati, O’Connor, Delaney, Stassen, Oliveti, and Manamanaivalu were all selected for the Hurricanes Under 18 development camp this year. O’Connor and Tamati also made the New Zealand Barbarians Under 18s.

Sam Dyer joins the Academy after a strong season for Varsity in the Manawatū club competition and selection for New Zealand Universities.  

Players returning for their second year in the Academy include New Zealand Under 20s representative Vernon Bason, Under 20 Hurricane Same Coles, Telson Liuvaie, Moses Armstrong-Ravula, Sam Kane, and Tadhg O'Connor.

Academy players Pita Manamanaivalu and Moses Armstrong-Ravula were recently named in the Fiji Under 20 wider training squad, along with Manawatū Turbo Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula,

Manawatū Rugby Academy Manager Lifeimi Mafi says he is extremely excited about the new Academy intake and proud that the Union has retained so many talented young players.

“A key focus for us was recruiting top players from our strong local secondary school system. Manawatū schools have produced some outstanding results over the last couple of years, with Feilding High School winning back-to-back Central North Island championships and Palmerston North Boys’ High School being the third best team in the country this year.  This is a great reflection of our local coaches and their successful environments they have created at their schools.”

“The future is looking bright with this massive local intake with a sprinkling of outside players who have links to Manawatū. We’re proud that these players see Manawatū as the union where they want to build their careers and they want to push for Turbos spots in the coming years.”   

Some of the most notable players to come through the Manawatū Rugby Academy system since 2006 include Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, and Brayden Iose.

Academy Year One Intake

Logan Wallace – Prop, Palmerston North Boys’ High School

Liam O'Connor – First five-eighth Palmerston North Boys’ High School

James Parkinson – Second five-eighth, Palmerston North Boys’ High School

Mosese Bason – Number 8, Feilding High School

Josiah Johnston – Prop, Feilding High School

Jack Delaney – Midfield/outside back, Feilding High School

Michael Stassen – Prop, Feilding High School

Henele Oliveti – Hooker, Feilding High School

Pita Manamanaivalu – First five-eigth, Whanganui Collegiate School

Jai Tamati – Halfback, Rotorua Boys’ High School

Sam Dyer – Lock/flanker, Varsity

Academy Year Two Intake

Telson Liuvaie – Prop,  Freyberg Old Boys

Vernon Bason – Hooker, College Old Boys

Moses Armstrong-Ravula – Hooker, Varsity

Sam Coles – Utility back, Varsity

Tadhg O'Connor – Wing, Te Kawau