The Lincoln Combined captain and midfielder is believed to be the first player from his school to make the team.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” he said.
“It’s obviously a big accomplishment and I’m looking forward to being with the team on Friday.”
Gualter, 18, is one of seven Canterbury players selected.
Christchurch Boys’ High School has three representatives in the 25-strong squad – first-five Ollie Lewis, prop Ben Lopas and halfback Max Hughes.
Christ’s College lock Zach Gallagher also made the squad, along with St Bede’s College loose forward Dom Gardiner, who is the son of former Canterbury and Crusaders flanker Angus Gardiner.
St Andrew’s College prop Jack Sexton, son of former Canterbury and Crusaders hooker Matt Sexton, is also in the mix.
Gualter said the phone call from New Zealand Schools coach Mark Hammett was a blur after he heard the good news.
”I was just sitting at home about to go to a training when I got a call from Mark saying I was in the team so it was all pretty surreal. I don’t really remember a lot about the conversation after that.”
It continues a strong upward trend for the Waihora club player who also made the Canterbury secondary schools’ team earlier this year after another outstanding season leading his middle-of-the-pack Lincoln Combined team in the UC Championship.
Gualter said he was happy to play anywhere for his school team but hopes he may get the opportunity to play fullback at some point.
”I have that desire to win and playing for a team like Lincoln and playing with mates that make it easy to be a leader,” he said. ”I do enjoy 15 more with a bit more space, but if you chuck me at 10, 12 or wing I’m
happy, just as long as I’m able to contribute to the team.”
Former Lincoln Combined coach Mike Wilson, who first picked Gualter for the UC Championship three years ago and is also his current Ellesmere under-18 coach, said he has an impressive ability to make other players around him better.
“The name Wil Gualter was one I was hearing around the fields long before I saw him for the first time,” Wilson said.
“Yes, he had a lot of talent but I’ve been really impressed with the young man he’s grown into.
“He makes the boys he plays alongside better, they go better when he is on the field and taking charge.”
Wilson said in spite of Gualter playing most of his Lincoln Combined rugby at second-five, he believes his best position is fullback.
“I think his attacking instincts and ability to read a game lends itself to that position and getting an overview from the back and read the play that he sees.”
Ellesmere Rugby Sub Union coach educator south Kahu Carey, who has been involved with Gualter since he was playing under-14 rugby, said his desire to get on the field and play is what makes him stand out.
“The kid just plays. He wants to be out on the field and getting amongst it,” Carey said.
“He’s not specialised in a position and he doesn’t mind where he plays, so he’s learnt a lot from having that attitude and it will take him a long way.”
The New Zealand Schools team will play a game of three halves in Palmerston North on September 26 before travelling to Hamilton for matches against Fiji Schools and the Australia under-18s.
Cam Church, St Kentigern College; Allan Craig, St Kentigern College; Vaiolini Ekuasi, St Peter’s Cambridge; Zach Gallagher, Christ’s College; Dom Gardiner, St Bede’s College; Vincent Green, Hamilton Boys’ High
School; Meihana Grindlay, Kings College; Wil Gualter, Lincoln High School; Finau Halafihi, Auckland Grammar School; Max Hughes, Christchurch Boys’ High School; Corey Kellow, Sacred Heart College; Jacob
Kneepkens, Francis Douglas Memorial College; Jacob Kneepkens, Christchurch Boys’ High School; Ben Lopas, Christchurch Boys’ High School; Ruben Love, Palmerston Boys’ High School; Aidan Morgan, Kings
College; Blair Murray, New Plymouth Boys’ High School; Manu Paea, Rotorua Boys’ High School; Te Rama Reuben, St Kentigern College; Anton Segner, Nelson College; Jack Sexton, St Andrew’s College; Roderick
Solo, Scots College; Ben Strang, Whanganui Collegiate; Tiaan Tauakipulu, St Kentigern College; Gideon Wrampling, St Paul’s Collegiate.
