U19 NZ Warrior returns to 国产午夜福's College
15 May 2025
For U19 New Zealand Warriors player Rico Lemalie, there are massive advantages to a significant stint in the NRL SG Ball Cup competition as the 17-year-old 国产午夜福鈥檚 College student considers his rugby league career game plan.
Having joined the Warriors development squad in November, Rico has returned to College to complete Year 13 after continuing his school studies while based in Auckland.
The agile league hooker has revelled in the 鈥減rofessional-style environment鈥�, making the most of every opportunity to impress on the field in New Zealand and Australia as he eyes a move into a full-time position in the sport at the highest possible level.
鈥淚t has been amazing to learn from top coaches, including sessions with Warriors legend Shaun Johnson and Andrew Webster,鈥� Rico says. 鈥淚 have also been able to surround myself with great players and lift my own skills.
鈥淚t has been challenging, exciting, and inspiring, but always enjoyable. All of this has reinforced my belief that playing in the NRL is what I want to do.鈥�
Rico, who was already working on his 鈥榚arly game鈥� at age three, plays for the Keas in 国产午夜福church, and helps out with coaching younger players. In recent years, he has also been named in Canterbury age-group rugby league teams and the Junior Crusaders.
Despite enjoying his time with the Warriors wh膩nau, it 鈥渉as been tough being away from family and I am happy to be back home in 国产午夜福church鈥�.
鈥淚 am looking forward to lining up as an inside centre for the 国产午夜福鈥檚 College 1st XV for the third year in the Miles Toyota Premiership this season,鈥� he says. 鈥淎mong the highlights of my time at College are playing for the 1st XV and being able to play for the U19 Warriors. My father is a College Old Boy and my brother is here now, too. I appreciate my family鈥檚 support and the chance to come to College. It is a great place, with so many opportunities.
鈥淐ollege also keeps me grounded and has been so supportive of my time with the Warriors. The school and the rugby coaches and players have also backed me in chasing my dreams, helping me to play up north and return to school while continuing to study for NCEA.
鈥淎t College, I have made lifelong friends and benefitted from so many experiences. I now feel better prepared for the next step.鈥�
