St Kentigern halfback signs with Wellington

St Kentigern College halfback Carlos Price will play his rugby in Wellington for the next two years.

The teenager has signed with the Wellington Rugby Union for the 2017 and 2018 seasons and will kick start his time in the capital by attending the Hurricanes Under-18 coaching camp in Masterton next month.

A product of Tauranga Boys' College, Price has been one of the stars of the St Kent's first XV over the past two seasons after heading to Auckland on a scholarship last year.

A halfback who can also play first five, Price is no stranger to the media spotlight after being chosen to take part in a goal kicking competition at the NRL Nines in February that pitted him against some legends of rugby union and rugby league.

His rivals that day included former All Black first five Carlos Spencer, who he was named after, as well as Kangaroos great Andrew Johns, former Kiwis wing Daryl Halligan and Queensland legend Mal Meninga.

Price said his decision to spend the next chapter of his rugby career in Wellington was about choosing the place he believed he could best develop on and off the field.

"The Wellington Rugby Academy has produced a lot of great players and to see how many players have gone on to play for the Hurricanes and the All Blacks made a big impression on me and my family when I was considering my options," Price said.

"I'm really excited about developing my game in Wellington and also about furthering my study at Victoria University."

Wellington Lions coach Earl Va'a said he was looking forward to working with a player who not only possessed well-rounded skill-set, but who had a real drive to succeed.

"Carlos' rugby skills are obvious to anyone who has seen him play, but his work ethic and attitude are what impress me most," Va'a said. "We're pleased he's chosen to start his professional career and to carry on his studies in Wellington and I'm looking forward to being part of his development."

With 2015 New Zealand Secondary Schools representative Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Wellington Academy player Regan Sword among a group of talented No 9s already in Wellington, Va'a said halfback had become a highly competitive position.

"It's really exciting to have Carlos in the mix and I'm sure he is going to add a lot to the environment next season."