With the new rugby season about to start, Hautapu Sports Club has received a boost with news that 10 of its senior rugby players have been selected for Waikato Chiefs teams in 2023.
Two players, Ollie Norris and Luke Jacobson, have been included in the gameday squad for the Chiefs to meet defending Super Rugby Pacific champions Crusaders in the season opener on Friday February 24.
The match is being screened at the Hautapu Sports Club clubrooms from 7.05pm, and all members are welcome to support the Chiefs.
READ MORE: Junior touch, our members’ cash draw AND the Chiefs live on our big screen >>>>
Eight players from Hautapu were to take part in a pre-season match between the Chiefs Development team and the Chiefs U-20, at Memorial Park, on the afternoon of February 24.
Here are the Hautapu players to watch in Chiefs colours …
Waikato Chiefs
Photo credits: Waikato Chiefs.
Ollie Norris
Ollie Norris (23) made his Chiefs debut against Crusaders in 2020 and the prop played for the New Zealand U-20 team and the Maori All Blacks.
Luke Jacobson
Luke Jacobson (25) has been an All Black since his debut in Argentina in 2019. The loose forward has worn the captain’s armband for the Chiefs.
Chiefs Development squad
Simon Parker
Simon Parker (21) is a loose forward who has played for the New Zealand U-20 team and made his Chiefs debut in 2020 but missed last season with injury.
Laghlan McWhannell
Laghlan McWhannell (24) is a former New Zealand U-20 lock who was unlucky with injuries in 2020 and 2021.
Hamilton Burr
Hamilton Burr (26) is a flanker who hails from Scotland — he played for Scotland U-20s — and he made his Waikato rep debut in 2019 and became a Chiefs player in 2022.
Waikato Chiefs U-20
Five Hautapua Sports Club players are in the U-20 Chiefs squad:
- Andrew Smith
- Jonty Short
- Senita Lauaki
- Waisake Salabiau
- Kaleb Saxon.
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