The Wesley College Old Boys Association named a greatest Wesley XV. What a team it is!
The Team
1. Sekope Kepu (Counties & Australia) -2004
2. Mark Price (Counties) -1998
3. Edwin Talakai (Tonga) – 1989
4. George Stowers (Counties & Samoa) – 1997
5. Koula Tukino (Counties) – 1995
6. Hale T-Pole (Otago, Southland, Tonga) – 1997
7. Danny Kaleopa (Auckland & Samoa) – 1985
8. Jonah Lomu (Counties, Wellington, North Harbour & All Blacks) – 1993
9. Rhys Duggan (Waikato & All Blacks) – 1990
10. Doug Rollerson (Manawatu & All Blacks) – 1971
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (Counties, Waikato & All Blacks) – 2001
12. Seilala Mapusua (Otago & Samoa) – 1997
13. Casey Laulala (Canterbury & All Blacks) – 2000
14. Waisake Sotutu (Auckland & Fiji) – 1989
15. Sale Sorovaki (Wellington, Manawatu & Fiji) – 1987
Reserves
16. Niva Tau’oso (Counties & Junior All Blacks) – 1998
17. Stephen Donald (Counties, Waikato & Junior All Blacks – 2001
18. Sailosi Tagicakibau (Taranaki & Samoa) – 2001
19. Tame Tupou (Brisbane Broncos & Kiwis) – 2001
20. Mike Spence (Manawatu & Waiarapa Bush) – 2001
21. Tomasi Soqeta (Taranaki & Fiji) – 2001
22. Waka Setitaia (Counties) – 2000
Coaches: H.Tauroa (1973) & C. Grinter (1991)
Manager: M.Tod (2010)
Others Considered
- Sean Clotworthy (Otago) – 1986
- Salesi Moimoi (Tonga) – 1996
- Tekori Luteru (Counties & Samoa) – 2001
- Te Hurinui Muru (Waikato) – 1983
- Tevita Maliau (Auckland & Northland) – 2000
- Sam Nonoa (Waikato) – 1990
- Frank Halai (Waikato & NZ 7s) – 2007
- David Raikuna (Counties & NZ 7s) – 2006
Notes
- In brackets are the teams they have been most associated with and outside the brackets are the last year that they were at Wesley.
- 13 Internationals are featured in the starting fifteen, two and Kiwi leauge rep are in the reserves. The starting XV shares an aggregate of 207 tests between them!
- Every player in this side has played first class rugby. Chris Grinter coached the New Zealand Schools.
Acknowledgments: A big thanks to Ben Handcock at Welsey for his help.
Probably need to mention Sione Kepu (World Champion NZ U19′s while still at Wesley). Also Ezra Taylor (Highlanders), Siale Piutau (Highlanders), Noa Soqeta (Otago/Southland) and Viliame Veikoso (Otago and Fiji)
As manager you’d have the late John McDougall ahead of Mike Tod. He managed NZSS back in the 70′s and 80′s.
An absolutely top team this one.. I concur totally with the selections and agree with Sione’s remarks regarding the others mentioned. How about other schools posting their best XV ever.. They would need to be an extra-ordinary team to beat this Wesley College XV..
Is there any room for Howie Morrison Junior?