Aki Tuivailala: The latest Hamilton Boys High product in Crusaders colours

The Crusaders have profited handsomely from the rugby production factory that is Hamilton Boys High School, and that trend continues in 2025 with the addition of Aki Tuivailala.

The two-time New Zealand U20 representative is set for his debut Super Rugby Pacific season with the Christchurch club, having been lured south by head coach Rob Penney after a strong NPC season with Waikato.

It's a big move for a young man to make, and Tuivailala identifies as a "big family person", adding to the weight of the move.

Luckily, he's been greeted by a club eager to embrace new talent and who pride themselves on creating a family-esque environment.

"The boys are real welcoming, the coaches too. They're like family, especially for me moving away from the north island, it's been a big thing for me," the 20-year-old told media in Christchurch.

"I'm loving this place, Christchurch is a beautiful place. The people are nice. There's no better place to be."

As the Garden City welcomes one of their newest and most promising young talents, Tuivailala has some familiar faces to show him around; a trio of former high school teammates.

"I played with Noah (Hotham), Taha (Kemara), Tahlor (Cahill). It's good to see the boys thriving and doing their thing.

"Taha helped me a bit, getting me down here and making me feel more comfortable, showing me around."

Newly capped All Black Noah wasn't the only Hotham by Tuivailala's side in the Hamilton First XV, his dad Nigel Hotham was wrapping up a legendary 21-year career as head coach of the team while the youngster was finishing his schooling career.

"He's crazy that guy," Tuivailala laughed. "But he's a good man. He taught me a lot, taught me how to work hard and how to be a good man first."

The former First XV co-captain has donned the black jersey plenty of times now at the age-grade level and while he also qualifies for Tonga, he says his ambition is to represent New Zealand.

It was in at centre he made a name for himself throughout his high school career, but he split time between the midfield and wing for the Baby Blacks and was used nearly exclusively on the wing for Waikato in the NPC.

While he's more than capable of playing both positions, the young gun is set on a career in the No. 13 jersey. There's no shortage of midfield talent to learn from at the Crusaders.

"A goal for me is to get better each day, by one per cent, learning off midfielders like Levi (Aumua), (Dallas) McLeod, (David) Havili, boys like that. And just try to grow my game."

Tuivailala was clearly keen to improve on his "sub five minute" bronco time to start preseason, eagerly aware of the next fitness test coming his way in January. To be fair to the youngster, 2024 has been a busy year.

"It's been a lot. It's been a good year. I think I'm just grateful for all the opportunities and things that have come my way. Never realised how fast everything moves."