The following players have been selected in the 2016 Under 18 Training Squad.

In 2016 the Under 18 programme will see an Under 18 A, B and Divisional team. The Bs and Divisionals will compete in the Northern Region Under 18 comeptition, while the A team has a programme that sees them play Otago, Wellington and the B team.

Auckland Rugby's High Performance Manager Ben Meyer said the feedback from the rugby community was to select the best Auckland team, as opposed to the previous East and West teams.

"We want to provide a pathway for players post 1st XV while they are at school, and challenge is quality oppostion to play," said Meyer, which has seen the programme introduced with matches against Otago and Wellington.

"We want to support wealth of talent by keeping three teams and reward players for their form in the 1st XV season across 1A, 1B and 1C. 

"These three teams will go forward to form the core of our two Under 19 teams for 2017 so there is an element of preparation in this year's programme," said Meyer.

All players are to attend training at 6pm on Tuesday 23 August at Bell Park, Pakuranga Rugby Club (players from MAGS and Aorere are not required for trainings until their respective post-season campaigns have finished.)

Information about the next trainings and upcoming games will be explained on Tuesday. 
                                   
Forwards: Kaynan Sitiene-Tua (Auckland Grammar), Michael Palmer (Mt Albert Grammar), Rob Cobb (Mt Albert Grammar), Tevita Mafileo (St Kents), Damon Abraham (Sacred Heart), Cam Millington (St Kents), Fatongia Paea (Sacred Heart), Nikolson Aushelin (Dilworth), Sam Toloke (St Kents), Penisoni Fineanganofo (Aorere), Poi Fangupo (Otahuhu), Joseph Casey (Sacred Heart) Waimana Reidinger-Kapa (Mt Albert Grammar), Cameron Suafoa (St Peters), Calum McNab (St Peters), Thomas Barlow (Mt Albert Grammar), Kalin Felise (St Peters), AJ Sagaga (Kelston Boys), Sii Pauta (Otahuhu)* injured, Ajay Mua (Kings), Sione Havili (Auckland Grammar), Hoskins Sotutu (Sacred Heart), Jack McHugh (Sacred Heart), Alek Dabek (St Peters), Johna Mau'u (Dilworth), Caleb Fa'alili (De La Salle), Moubray Manu (Dilworth)

Backs: Riloy Suesue (St Peters), Salyn Tonu'u (Mt Albert Grammar), Taufa Funaki (Sacred Heart), Jesse Pascoe (De La Salle), Ciarahn Matoe (Kings), Paul Roache (Mt Albert Grammar), Harry Plummer (St Peters), George Witana (Sacred Heart), Obey Samate (De La Salle), AJ Lam (St Peters), Lemeki Namoa (Sacred Heart), Tanielu Tele'a (St Kents), Lalomilo Lalomilo (De La Salle), Logan Fonoti-Frost (Sacred Heart), Tuna Tautalafua (Kelston Boys), Theo Steffany (St Peters), Caleb Clarke (Mt Albert Grammar), Melino Huihui-Uia (Sacred Heart), Mosese Pepa (Aorere), Niven Longapoa (Mt Albert Grammar), Sebastian Visinia (Kelston Boys), Simon-Peter Toleafoa (De La Salle), Ben Engels (Sacred Heart), Abel Magalogo (Kelston Boys)

Please contact John Sullivan (18A Manager) on 0276634722 if there are any questions.