mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
13/9/2017
Hail Ale - Tom wins National League MVP
Tom Ale moved from Mount Roskill Grammar School to Wesley College in a bid to improve his rugby. That ambition was further enhanced when in late 2015, Ale earned a scholarship to Rotorua Boys’ High School, then the national champions
Ale spent two years in the Rotorua BHS First XV and the flanker was good enough to earn a place in the Chiefs Under-18 squad.
Rotorua’s season ended several weeks ago, leaving Ale with the chance to play at the NZSS league Nationals last week.
Ale performed so strongly for semi-finalist Rotorua he was named MVP of the tournament.
“It was a surprise. They had the prize giving a night before the final and I was happy and humbled to get it,” Ale says.
Ale plays in the second row and is noted for his athletic running and tough tackling. He was satisfied with how Rotorua performed.
“We lost to Kelston Boys’ in the semis. Our start was too slow and it cost us. Our best game was against Wesley. We beat them 20-14 and used the ball well,” Ale recalls.
Ale first played league when he was 11 before switching to Union. After his success at the League Nationals he aspires to a career in the NRL.
“I like both sports, but I enjoy running the ball and league gives me more chance to do that. My favourite NRL team is the North Queensland Cowboys,” Ale states.
Ale is a cousin of Highlanders and North Harbour wing Tevita Li who has been an important mentor.
“He visits me a lot in his spare time. He is a real cool guy. He has told me a lot of hard work is the key to making it as a pro,” Ale concludes.
2017 National Secondary Schools Tournament team:
1. Konrad Tu'ua (Kelston BHS)
2. Jonathan Aumua-Falelua-Malio (Kelston BHS)
3. Aiden Aue (Kelston BHS)
4. Awatere Kiwara (Manukura)
5. Javvier Pitova (Mt Albert Grammar School
6. Kayal Iro (Mt Albert Grammar School)
7. Hayze Perham (Rotorua BHS)
8. Selesitino Ravutaumada (Rotorua BHS)
9. Tom Ale (Rotorua BHS)
10. Tukimihia Simpkins (Rotorua BHS)
11. Samuel Nati (Southern Cross)
12. Nitoa Kairau (Southern Cross)
13. William Fakatoumafi (Southern Cross)
14. Star To'a (St Pauls)
15. Sione Moala (St Pauls)
16. Christian Tuipulotu (St Pauls)
17. Lewis Sio (St Pauls)
18. Caius Fa'atili (St Thomas')
19. Patrick Elia (St. Thomas')
20. Jordan Riki (St. Thomas')
21. (Lotu) Mateaki Inisi (Westlake BHS)
Hail Ale - Tom wins National League MVP
Tom Ale moved from Mount Roskill Grammar School to Wesley College in a bid to improve his rugby. That ambition was further enhanced when in late 2015, Ale earned a scholarship to Rotorua Boys’ High School, then the national champions
Ale spent two years in the Rotorua BHS First XV and the flanker was good enough to earn a place in the Chiefs Under-18 squad.
Rotorua’s season ended several weeks ago, leaving Ale with the chance to play at the NZSS league Nationals last week.
Ale performed so strongly for semi-finalist Rotorua he was named MVP of the tournament.
“It was a surprise. They had the prize giving a night before the final and I was happy and humbled to get it,” Ale says.
Ale plays in the second row and is noted for his athletic running and tough tackling. He was satisfied with how Rotorua performed.
“We lost to Kelston Boys’ in the semis. Our start was too slow and it cost us. Our best game was against Wesley. We beat them 20-14 and used the ball well,” Ale recalls.
Ale first played league when he was 11 before switching to Union. After his success at the League Nationals he aspires to a career in the NRL.
“I like both sports, but I enjoy running the ball and league gives me more chance to do that. My favourite NRL team is the North Queensland Cowboys,” Ale states.
Ale is a cousin of Highlanders and North Harbour wing Tevita Li who has been an important mentor.
“He visits me a lot in his spare time. He is a real cool guy. He has told me a lot of hard work is the key to making it as a pro,” Ale concludes.
2017 National Secondary Schools Tournament team:
1. Konrad Tu'ua (Kelston BHS)
2. Jonathan Aumua-Falelua-Malio (Kelston BHS)
3. Aiden Aue (Kelston BHS)
4. Awatere Kiwara (Manukura)
5. Javvier Pitova (Mt Albert Grammar School
6. Kayal Iro (Mt Albert Grammar School)
7. Hayze Perham (Rotorua BHS)
8. Selesitino Ravutaumada (Rotorua BHS)
9. Tom Ale (Rotorua BHS)
10. Tukimihia Simpkins (Rotorua BHS)
11. Samuel Nati (Southern Cross)
12. Nitoa Kairau (Southern Cross)
13. William Fakatoumafi (Southern Cross)
14. Star To'a (St Pauls)
15. Sione Moala (St Pauls)
16. Christian Tuipulotu (St Pauls)
17. Lewis Sio (St Pauls)
18. Caius Fa'atili (St Thomas')
19. Patrick Elia (St. Thomas')
20. Jordan Riki (St. Thomas')
21. (Lotu) Mateaki Inisi (Westlake BHS)
Hail Ale - Tom wins National League MVP
Tom Ale moved from Mount Roskill Grammar School to Wesley College in a bid to improve his rugby. That ambition was further enhanced when in late 2015, Ale earned a scholarship to Rotorua Boys’...
www.collegesportmedia.co.nz
zaggo
Ale, Ravutaumada and Perham - talk about a stacked team at school boy level!
From reading the article it sounds like he had more of a background in Union before switching over to league in 7th form? Seems to be pretty common.
From reading the article it sounds like he had more of a background in Union before switching over to league in 7th form? Seems to be pretty common.
matiunz
Five&Last
Add Tuki Simpkins from that same Rotorua Boys team. In the Cowboys top 30 this year at 18 years old.
Hardyman's Yugo
I hope he’s like the kind of ale I know, I.e. a good head on him
Ale (Ah-Lei) He's a good kid by the sounds of it. Has a good skill set. Built like Taumalolo , Similar attributes. Altho, so haven't seen much of him to judge yet.
pbrown01123
Contributor
as soon as I saw his name I knew it would be a kerayzee down under pronunciation. Why can't you all have good old straightforward English names like Mainwaring, Featherstonehaugh or Cholmondeley?
playdaball
Heritage Member
Reading the article, seems like he started in RL before playing RU and then switching back to RL. Starting in RL is common .... Kaino, Jeremy Stanley, Umaga, Weepu and then the switch at College ( esp if in at a good rugby school) - some switch back, many stay with RU.
Happens in Aust too ... Ponga, Lewis, Stuart.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
Stalefish540
Best on ground in the CCup game, impressive showing. They had him on the edge, but he seemed more like a 13?
Vancent
Contributor
Yes my bro. I wasn't sure how to spell the correct pronunciation. I thought that if I just said Ah-le he may still think it was Ale(As in beer) So I said Lei(Lay) hoping he'd get Le out of it somehow? Lmao......Yup, I'm that should of stayed in school guy lol
pbrown01123
Contributor
at the risk of namesplaining, it maybe worth saying that I chose those names not for the number of letters they contain, but because they are pronounced Mannering, Fanshaw and Chumley.
Run_it_str8
No problem with your choice of names or post. I only knew Mannering because I had to watch Dad's army when I was a kid.
WellingtonOrca
He looked good, but it's always a question with reserve grade over whether he can step up. Sao and Pulu looked the goods in reserve grade last year, topping 200m some days but were average at best in the big league.
After Tom welcome efforts, young Mason Lino showed how to manage the game really well... wonder if he's interested in a #7 slot
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