Roncalli College first five-eighth Daniel Dorgan remains in contention for the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby side and the New Zealand Barbarians.

Dorgan is one of 104 players nationwide who will continue through the selection process.

However, he is the only one from South Canterbury.

Nineteen players from the Crusaders franchise area have been included, with the unbeaten Christchurch Boys' High School side contributing six players.

Both St Bede's College and Nelson College have three in the squad.

Dorgan's selection is deserved and he is in one of the most competitive spots, at No 10.

In total, five first five-eighths have been included from the Crusaders area, which shows the strength in the position compared with the rest of New Zealand.

St Andrew's College's Richard Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie of Christ's College, Christchurch Boys' High School's Fletcher Smith and Mytchall Hunt from Nelson College have also progressed, which is extraordinary.

The quintet are also the top five points scorers in the Crusaders competition, with Hunt on top and Dorgan in fifth spot.

Their selection means they will be closely monitored for the remainder of the season before the number is cut to 50 for the final camp in September.

New Zealand Secondary Schools selector Dave McLennan said the number of players selected at No 10 showed that was where the strength in the position was this year in New Zealand.

"We have a proud history within the franchise boundaries of producing excellent first fives and certainly have a cluster of talent in that position."

McLennan said while not as big physically as those players in the North Island, he was impressed by the tactical nous and play-making abilities of all of them.

Dorgan's ability has not gone unnoticed further afield either, with Auckland Blues rugby academy's Ant Strachan also meeting with the talented No 10 when he was in Timaru recently.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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