An article on Dallas Graham and other Keebra Parks recruits from Wellington NZ. Graham is part of the Under 20s squad this year.
Aus poaches Otaki league talent
Sky's the limit: Dallas Graham and four other Otaki teens are forming the bulk of an Australian high school rugby league team next year, which feeds the Wests Tigers NRL side.
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The New Zealand Warriors rugby league side may be losing support in Otaki as teenage players are scouted by Sydney's Wests Tigers to play in Australia.
"I support the Warriors, but I think I'm going to have to change to supporting the Tigers now," 17-year-old Dallas Graham said after learning of his impending move to Australia.
Dallas is one of five Otaki boys scouted to play for the West Tigers feeder school in Australia, after impressing in the Stephen Kearney Cup rugby league competition.
Carne Doyle, Hopa Edwards, Leimanu Pasene and Tamatatai Miratana have also been signed to Keebra Park State High School, and will be hoping to progress to the professional ranks in years to come.
The players are following in the footsteps of New Zealand captain Benji Marshall, who attended Keebra Park State before becoming a league superstar.
Dallas said he is looking forward to his experience in Australia, having spent the past two years playing league between rugby union seasons.
"I signed the intent of contract on Saturday. I'll be heading over there pretty soon for some conditioning work, and to add a bit of weight before next year," Dallas, a second rower, said on Tuesday.
"I played for the Kapiti Bears last year, and then this year I just did this, but started taking it pretty seriously." Otaki College coach Dale Miratana said everyone involved with rugby league in Otaki has been "blown out of the water" by the capture of five players.
"We beat Porirua, Mana, Tawa and Naenae in the Steve Kearney cup, then drew with Bishop Viard and lost to HIBS [Hutt International Boys]." Miratana said it was especially impressive from his team considering those sides were bolstered by having top first XV rugby players picked.
News of their selection was "absolutely fantastic".
"We took two players over [Carne and Hopa], and they liked them and they are over there already.
"Then we took Leimanu and Tamatatai, and they trialled really well and were selected." Dallas was the last to be selected, after Keebra Park State coach Greg Lenton asked Miratana for Wellington's best prop or second rower.
"I said, 'Look mate, I have him sitting in my back yard'." Dallas, Leimanu and Tamatatai are now awaiting confirmation from the school on when to start training in Australia, before shipping off for their chance at professional careers.
For Miratana it is doubly special because Tamatatai is his son. "I think I was more excited about it than he was."
At Keebra Park State the players will have to train nine times a week, and are expected to be in top shape when the season starts early next year.
Along with Benji Marshall, Kiwi international Greg Eastwood and Kiwi-English international Rangi Chase attended the school.
Aus poaches Otaki league talent
Sky's the limit: Dallas Graham and four other Otaki teens are forming the bulk of an Australian high school rugby league team next year, which feeds the Wests Tigers NRL side.
Relevant offers
Sport
Coles set for fourth ABs testRyan 6-for leads Kapiti to Turn Your Computer into a TV! Watch Full TV Episodes w Free App
The New Zealand Warriors rugby league side may be losing support in Otaki as teenage players are scouted by Sydney's Wests Tigers to play in Australia.
"I support the Warriors, but I think I'm going to have to change to supporting the Tigers now," 17-year-old Dallas Graham said after learning of his impending move to Australia.
Dallas is one of five Otaki boys scouted to play for the West Tigers feeder school in Australia, after impressing in the Stephen Kearney Cup rugby league competition.
Carne Doyle, Hopa Edwards, Leimanu Pasene and Tamatatai Miratana have also been signed to Keebra Park State High School, and will be hoping to progress to the professional ranks in years to come.
The players are following in the footsteps of New Zealand captain Benji Marshall, who attended Keebra Park State before becoming a league superstar.
Dallas said he is looking forward to his experience in Australia, having spent the past two years playing league between rugby union seasons.
"I signed the intent of contract on Saturday. I'll be heading over there pretty soon for some conditioning work, and to add a bit of weight before next year," Dallas, a second rower, said on Tuesday.
"I played for the Kapiti Bears last year, and then this year I just did this, but started taking it pretty seriously." Otaki College coach Dale Miratana said everyone involved with rugby league in Otaki has been "blown out of the water" by the capture of five players.
"We beat Porirua, Mana, Tawa and Naenae in the Steve Kearney cup, then drew with Bishop Viard and lost to HIBS [Hutt International Boys]." Miratana said it was especially impressive from his team considering those sides were bolstered by having top first XV rugby players picked.
News of their selection was "absolutely fantastic".
"We took two players over [Carne and Hopa], and they liked them and they are over there already.
"Then we took Leimanu and Tamatatai, and they trialled really well and were selected." Dallas was the last to be selected, after Keebra Park State coach Greg Lenton asked Miratana for Wellington's best prop or second rower.
"I said, 'Look mate, I have him sitting in my back yard'." Dallas, Leimanu and Tamatatai are now awaiting confirmation from the school on when to start training in Australia, before shipping off for their chance at professional careers.
For Miratana it is doubly special because Tamatatai is his son. "I think I was more excited about it than he was."
At Keebra Park State the players will have to train nine times a week, and are expected to be in top shape when the season starts early next year.
Along with Benji Marshall, Kiwi international Greg Eastwood and Kiwi-English international Rangi Chase attended the school.
