Warriors win tug-of-war for teen prodigy

The Warriors have won a tug-of-war battle with rugby union over one of the hottest teenage prospects in New Zealand.

Augustino Filipo, who was recently named 2022 NZRL U16’s Boys Domestic Player of the Year, is 17 this year and has been blitzing all comers in both league and union.

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But the youngster has decided to pledge his allegiance to league – and the Warriors – in a major coup for the club in its long-running war with the 15-a-side game.

“I play lock, second row and centre for league and lock and flanker for union,” Filipo told Wide World of Sports.

“The Warriors have been good to me and I hope to be playing in the SG Ball Cup this season.”

Last season, Filipo played for Niue under 18s in the Pacific Youth Cup, standing out despite being two years younger than many of his team-mates and opponents.

The De La Salle College student also shone in the Shaun Johnson Cup and Warriors officials couldn’t hide their delight when he decided to commit to the club.

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