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New Zealand Rugby confirms interest in schoolboy sprinting sensation who ran 100m in 10.19 seconds
New Zealand Rugby have confirmed their interest in schoolboy sprinting sensation Edward Osei-Nketia.
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The 17-year-old, son of Ghanian-born New Zealand 100m record-holder Gus Nketia, has dominated headlines in New Zealand media recently for his exploits in track and field.
Osei-Nketia last month claimed the New Zealand 100m title at the national championships in Christchurch, and doubled up by securing the Australian title in Sydney over the weekend.
In the semi-finals of the Australian event, he clocked a blistering personal best time of 10.19 seconds, making him New Zealand’s fourth-fastest sprinter ever and just 0.08 seconds shy of his father’s record.
Born in New Zealand but having lived in Australia in recent years, a battle is playing out between the two counties for Osei-Nketia to commit his services to either one of the respective nation’s athletic federations.
While Osei-Nketia has outlined his ambition to dethrone his father as the fastest man New Zealand has ever produced, he has also stated his intentions to play for the All Blacks.
Osei-Nketia played 1st XV rugby at St Edmunds College during his time in Canberra, and told Stuff in a recent interview that he averaged “three to four” tries per game.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cPCEZ5Vmo0
Now living in Wellington and attending Scots College, Osei-Nketia, who is yet to be introduced to weight training, is expected to star for the school’s 1st XV in the Wellington schools competition in the coming months, and has already garnered interest from the Hurricanes and the All Blacks Sevens.
Speaking to Stuff, New Zealand Rugby player development manager Matt Sexton confirmed that the national union were looking into the prospect of securing Osei-Nketia’s future.
“Like everyone else, we’re delighted for Edward and his recent success on the track,” he said.
“We’re always interested in talented athletes who have aspirations in our game. We look forward to watching him play rugby for Scots College this year.”
With dimensions of 1.90m and 95kg, Osei-Nketia – who said his rugby idols are the Savea brothers, and told The Project on Monday that he wants to leave a Jonah Lomu-like legacy on the All Blacks – has the physical attributes to be a lethal winger in rugby union, and former Olympic sprinter Chris Donaldson believes he has the potential to make the cross-code switch.
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“Even by the token of his physical attributes, he’s big and strong and he’s obviously only going to get stronger so he could be an outstanding rugby player,” Donaldson told Stuff.
“I’m not sure of the skills he has and that sort of stuff but in regards to his physical attributes he’s got all those gifts that most people don’t have to start with so it will be interesting to see what rugby want to do and the opportunities there.
“He’s faster than anyone in world rugby at moment so I really want to see him play and see what he’s like.”
Osei-Nketia wouldn’t be the first sprinter to make an impact in rugby, with former USA Olympic track and field hopeful Carlin Isles making the switch to sevens in 2012.
Making his World Series debut on the Gold Coast in October that year, Isles, whose personal best in 100m is 10.24 seconds, has gone on to make over 200 appearances for the national side in a seven-year career which has seen him attend the 2016 Rio Olympics and place as the ninth-highest try scorer in World Series history with 174 tries.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments