Hastings Boys Breeding the Next Generation of New Zealand Stars

The squad members of one of the most successful school sides over the past two years are set to make their mark on the professional stage. 

Hastings Boys 1st XV were exceptional over the last two years playing in two national title games, losing the first but winning the second in an undefeated season in 2017. The rapid rise to the professional ranks is a testament to the quality of Hastings Boys programme.

The side rose from obscurity to produce one of the greatest sides seen at schoolboy level with the team earning six selections to the New Zealand schoolboy squad in 2017 and could have been eight with two players being out of contention through injury. 

A familiar surname that featured in the side is Naholo, All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo's younger brother Kiniviliame set schoolboy rugby alight scoring 40 tries in 20 games last year. Naholo became an internet sensation when he scored 6 tries in one half and has since gone onto make his senior debut for Taranaki scoring 2 tries and assisting another against Poverty Bay.

Six of the Hasting Boys XV from last year were named in Hawke's Bay Mitre 10 Cup squad with first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, halfback Folau Fakatava, fullback Danny Toala, prop Kianu Kereru-Symes, prop Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, and Number 8 Devan Flanders all making the squad for the upcoming season. Elsewhere, Kini Naholo and Jeriah Mua have been named in Taranaki's squad.

Number 8 Devan Flanders was one of the youngest players in the New Zealand under-20’s side this year with a number of the players likely to feature next year.