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One of New Zealand league's most heartening success stories. Emerged from Huntly (via East Coast) to gain a Warriors contract last year after impressing at age group levels. In the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1997, he graduated to Junior Kiwi status in 1998 and again last year. He's one of the Warriors' 100kg plus club, a rawboned second rower (or prop) who adds to the stocks of genuinely big forwards.
Had just turned 19 when he was called into a Warriors side ravaged by injury and suspension last year. That was for the Ericsson clash against Melbourne. He retained his place for six straight games, starting in three and scoring a try against Parramatta. Moved out of the frame when established players returned but had games for Auckland North in the National Provincial Cup competition and also travelled to Australia for outings in the Queensland Cup (as part of the Warriors' association with Wynnum-Manly and South Brisbane). Finished the season turning out for New Zealand Maori against Great Britain.
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