Rugby: Te Aute on the search for new 1st XV coach

Pre-season rugby training has been under way for several weeks now at Te Aute College.

The school has a proud and strong rugby tradition. Over recent years a falling roll has affected the quality of teams the college has fielded.

This year, it is rebuilding and the boys are training for a top season.

The juniors are competing in an invitational sevens tournament at Palmerston North Boys' High School in a week.

The 1st XV will play a Victoria University team former All Black Dave Loveridge has been coaching in three weeks.

Te Aute have rearranged their timetable so health and fitness are compulsory from 8-9.15am before chapel.

Hawke's Bay Magpies trainer Grant Dearns and HBRFU development officer Jarvy Aoake have trained Te Aute.

Welshman and ex-British/NZ Army instructor Mark Clarke is also helping.

"They are respectful, committed and dedicated," Clarke says. "They are a pleasure to work with and a credit to the school."

There's just one snag - the boys don't have a coach.

Deputy principal Robin Fabish had approached an old boy at the end of last year but that had fallen thorough.

Mr Fabish has contacted several clubs and given the tree a shake but to no avail.

"The boys are hungry and training hard - they want to have an awesome season and they're doing the work now," he says.