Rugby: College students to be stars for a day as TV comes calling

Matt Ensor dotted down for a young Otumoetai College side in a tight 29-26 win over Opotiki College.Photo/File

A group of Otumoetai College students will be television stars for a day next month when Sky TV brings its travelling production to town.

The traditional match between co-educational sides Otumoetai College and Rosehill College will be broadcast live on the pay network, raising the stakes for young players who have never played on TV before.

Otumoetai College 1st XV co-coach Richard Brown believes his young side, 29-26 winners over Opotiki College on Saturday, is ready to take its developing brand of rugby to the big stage.

"This year's team has been selected with a developmental focus and the players have really impressed given their inexperience," Brown said.

"They are a very coachable team who have improved significantly throughout the year. Their application to training has been very much appreciated by the coaching staff."

Kalani Rawlinson scored a hat-trick and kicked two conversions in the side's most recent win, helping to add another scalp to the likes of preseason victims Bethlehem College and Trident High School.

Bay of Plenty secondary schoolresults, June 28

Super Eight: Tauranga Boys' College 5 Palmerston North Boys' High School 47.

Division One: Whakatane High School 26 Western Heights High School 5, Otumoetai College 29 Opotiki 26, Bethlehem College 42 Mount Maunganui 13, Aquinas College 14 Trident High School 0 (Te Kani Shield).

Division Two: Te Wharekura o Mauao 19 Rotorua Lakes 17, Rotorua Boys' College 3rd XV 22 Tauranga Boys' College 3rd XV 15, John Paul College 30 Te Puke High School 12, Katikati College 39 Taupo College 33.

Division Three: Reporoa College 35 Edgecumbe College 28, Tauhara 21 Western Heights High School 2nd XV 15.