Plenty of good things come out of Central Otago.
Fruit, wine and now, it seems, rugby players.
The three Otago players who have made the New Zealand under-20 Colts side all hail from Central Otago and have come up through the Otago system.
Lock Josh Dickson and halfback Josh Renton come from Wanaka and loose forward Kyle Harris hails from Springvale, just outside Alexandra.
They played in junior Central Otago representative sides and were selected for the Otago under-48kg and then under-65kg team to play in the South Island tournament in Timaru in 2007.
Renton said he could not remember a lot about the tournament, although he did recollect getting hammered by Canterbury in the final.
Renton and Dickson then went to Otago Boys' High School, eventually playing in its First XV, while Harris attended Dunstan High School, also playing in the First XV.
When the trio were still at school, they were picked in a one-off apprenticeship programme instigated by the Otago Rugby Football Union and supported by local businessmen.
Of the eight players taken into this programme, five have gone on to make the New Zealand Colts.
Taieri midfield back Michael Collins made the team last year and former Otago Boys' High School lock Troy Callander, who now plays in Bay of Plenty, is in this year's Colts side.
Renton now plays for Kaikorai, as does Harris, while Dickson plays for University A.
Renton is studying commerce at the University of Otago, Harris is studying physical education there and Dickson is in his second year of a personal training course at Otago Polytechnic.
Renton played for the Otago side last year, while Harris and Dickson were members of the successful Otago under-20 side last season.
Harris said it was great to make the team and paid tribute to the work of Otago rugby academy manager Tim Colling.
''We couldn't have made the team without him. He has really helped us and been a massive help, right from the fifth form when he got in touch.''
The trio, all aged 19, are members of the Otago rugby academy. Otago had five players in the Colts team last year.
The IRB Junior World Championship will be played in and around Auckland next month, with the trio going into camp later this month.
Dickson said he preferred to play at home, with more support from family and friends.
After winning the first four junior world championships, New Zealand has lost the last two, so there is a huge incentive to get back to winning ways.
