The Chiefs 2017 schoolboy recruitment haul - 5 of the best

The Chiefs may well have won the recruitment race for the class of 2017, with reports circulating that they may have secured five of the most sought-after New Zealand schoolboys, including the highly sought after prized recruit – superstar fullback Etene Nanai.

Nanai is believed to have attended the New Zealand Sevens development camp held in early December, indicating he has exited his NRL contract with the Warriors. It is understood he will follow a similar pathway to Rieko Ioane, playing on the Sevens circuit before linking with the Chiefs.

He has previously built a relationship with the franchise, representing the Chiefs u18 side in 2016. The coup would be a major prize for the Waikato-based franchise.

Damian McKenzie making the switch to 10 this season leaves the fullback position vacant, potentially giving Nanai the opportunity to compete for 15 within a couple of years.

The haul also includes the New Zealand schoolboy winger Kini Naholo, openside Jeriah Mua, first-five Rivez Reihana, captain and second-five Quinn Tupaea.

Kini Naholo, the younger brother of Waisake, burst into the spotlight last year on the back of the Hastings Boys backline where he scored a remarkable 41 tries. He signed with the Taranaki academy – joining his older brothers there at the Chiefs-aligned union.

Openside Jeriah Mua was one of the most dynamic athletes in 1st XV rugby, producing phenomenal performances in the national 1st XV semi-final and final.

He was a destructive edge runner with the skills of a back for Hastings Boys 1st XV, as well as a ruthless defender and breakdown pest. He has signed with the Bay of Plenty Steamers and will develop through the Chiefs system.

Rivez Reihana of Auckland-based St Kentigern College is believed to have already committed to the Chiefs franchise despite having a year remaining at school. He played for the Chiefs u18 in 2017 and will likely do so again in 2018. The first five-eighth is another miss for the Blues, who rose to an unlikely start in the New Zealand schoolboys test against Australia.

The New Zealand schoolboys captain Quinn Tupaea is a local talent, having attended Hamilton Boys High for schooling. The second-five is a power runner with a high work rate and is considered one of the top-five talents in the country. Having been in the Chiefs junior rep system, and captaining the New Zealand schools side, it is likely he will join the Waikato academy.

This crop of talent is of a high calibre for the Chiefs, and to secure the New Zealand schoolboy 7, 10, 12, 14 and 15 when 80% hail from outside the region is a promising boost for a franchise set to undergo a challenging year in Super Rugby.