Boys’ High teams off to tournaments

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RUGBY

They’re both a big deal.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School u14s go to Palmerston North and the Boys’ High under-15s go to Wellington in New Zealand secondary school tournament week, which starts on Monday.

The u14s, under head coach Duane Hihi, forwards coach Richard Brown and assistant coach Billy Maxwell, are in Pool 2 of the Colquhoun Invitation Tournament. Seeded No.3 by virtue of last year’s side finishing third in the eight-team competition, Gisborne Boys’ High play sixth-seeded Palmerston North at Coronation Park at 10am on Monday. At 2pm, they play seventh-seeded New Plymouth.

On Tuesday at midday, Boys’ High captain and fullback King Love will lead his team in a match against last year’s beaten finalists, Hamilton.

The playoffs — 4 v 4, 3 v 3, 2 v 2 and 1 v 1 from each pool — will be played at 10am on Wednesday.

Lindsay Calton, in his 11th year as tournament director, expects the traditionally high standard of rugby to go up a notch.

“Napier Boys’ High are coming to the tournament this year and that’ll raise the bar again,” he said.

“Four games in three days against the likes of Hamilton, Gisborne and No.1 seeds Hastings — that’s very tough.”

It’s a big step up. The Gisborne Boys’ High School u15s — beaten finalists in the Poverty Bay u18 grade — will go toe to toe with strong opposition.

Gisborne are in Pool D of their 16-team tournament, and in Round 1 meet Porirua at 2pm on Silverstream ground No.4 on Wednesday.

On Thursday at Fraser Park, Boys’ High will play Rongotai College at 11.30am in Round 2, and Hato Paora at 3.30pm in Round 3.

On Friday, Round 4 games will start at 10.30am and 11.45am, with the finals on Saturday, starting at 10am with the 15th/16th playoff at Maidstone Park. The plate final for 9th/10th is at 11am, and the grand final will be played on Silverstream No.2 at 1pm.