Trident High School speedster Jacob Wera-Cook loved having the opportunity to represent Bay of Plenty under-18s in 2025 and is looking forward to playing lots more representative rugby in 2026.

Although he played only in a couple of games for the Bay, it was a great experience for the winger, who performed well and was the only player from Trident High School to make it into the team, which was dominated by players from Tauranga Boys’ and Rotorua Boys’.

Selection caught him by surprise.

“It wasn’t one of my goals, but I’m super grateful to have made it and to have been part of such a strong Bay side,” said Jacob

He said it had been a challenging season, so making the Bay side was bittersweet.

“It hadn’t been the best season; we had a bit of a rough start but definitely took a lot of learnings from it through and had fun most of all.”

Jacob first picked up a rugby ball when he was five years old, and played JAB for Paroa.

He doesn’t have to look far for inspiration, with brothers Ngatiki and Neelan Wera-Cook also talented rugby players.

At a higher level, he looks up to Crusaders’ winger Sevu Reece and Chiefs’ playmaker Damian McKenzie.

“I want to make it as far as I can in the rugby system and also make my family proud.”

Jacob said he enjoyed the step up in intensity from his school side.

“It’s a completely different level of footy from where I play my school footy and that’s the cool thing about it because I am continually learning and trying to get better and better by being around more experienced people.”

They managed to have a strong season at under-18 level facing Waikato, Counties and Auckland.

When Jacob wasn’t lacing up his boots with Trident this year, he donned the black of Paroa and played some senior reserve rugby, helping the team win the final.