Aquinas 1st XV players at training, Connor Strong (left), Lachie Meehan and George Wood. Photo / George Novak
Aquinas 1st XV players at training, Connor Strong (left), Lachie Meehan and George Wood. Photo / George Novak
Pride and history are the name of the game this year for Aquinas College 1st XV.
The 2014 Bay of Plenty Division 1 champions are competing in the Chiefs Trophy tournament, for the first time this season, after beating Trident High School 5-0 in last year's 1st XV grand final.
They have exceeded expectations after winning their last two games away against Alfreston College and Hauraki Plains College. The team lost most of their senior players at the end of last season.
To add to the drama the team do not have a fulltime coach they can call on. Personal trainer Pera Gibbs has been helping out but the players have had to take much of the pre-season responsibilities upon themselves. From before Christmas, senior players had rugby as the central focus, recruiting possible players, doing gym sessions and getting fit. Early-morning sessions and team-building exercises formed a tight-knit group of players.
First-year rugby player Andrew Norman (Year 12) said there are big challenges to face this year but the team are relishing the opportunity.
"As it is a new year, we came with new players," he said. "It has been hard not having a set coach, which is not as easy as people think."
Norman has relished his first games of rugby and has loved the season so far.
"Rugby is a much more serious atmosphere compared to any other sport I have been a part in. I absolutely love it, and it's such a great team sport for young males to get involved in."
The first Chiefs Trophy game ended in a 48-0 home defeat to Hamilton Boys' 2nd XV. Aquinas battled hard but came up short against the well-drilled Hamilton team, who have made this year's final.
"We knew we were underdogs, and I guess the result showed, even though we didn't play bad rugby they were just much better," Norman said.
Rounds two and three were more successful. Going into the second half 10-0 down against Alfreston College (South Auckland), Aquinas put in a big effort, coming back to win 12-10 with tries by Isaac Amaru and Charlie Wood.
Pool play finished with a 13-7 win over Hauraki Plains College in Ngatea last Saturday, with tries to James Wood and Callum Hoare.
They play Te Kuiti High School in Rotorua today at 2pm in the top four playoffs.
