Rugby: BHS to switch comps

Whangarei BHS's Jayd Kapa offloads under pressure against the 2015 North Harbour 1A champions Rosmini College. Boys' High went on to win this match 11-5. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Change is in the air for Whangarei Boys' High School's 1st XV.

Setting their sights on joining the North Harbour 1st XV 1A competition next year, because of the absence of an adequate 2015 under-18 rugby competition in Northland, the school's principal Karen Smith says the move will improve the school's growing status as a serious contender in New Zealand schoolboy rugby.

Karen Smith

"Long-term [it's] better for our boys to be getting exposure to a higher level of rugby. That's probably the level of competition that we're seeking for the boys so that they're challenged," Smith said.

Arranging a last-minute meeting with the school yesterday afternoon, Northland Rugby Union officials threw a proverbial Hail Mary in a bid to prevent the move.

However, Northland Rugby Union operations manager Kyal Collins confirmed the school has insisted on playing in the North Harbour competition and that the NRU had "given our permission" for them to do so.

"From our point of view we're working hard to get a competition running for them... but they are going to play in the North Harbour," Collins said.

Though Boys' High will be treading into slightly unchartered waters, and will be the "first-ever" team in the school's 134 years to play in a competition outside of Northland, recent results show they can foot it with the best.

After securing the 2015 Northland Midweek 1st XV crown earlier in the year, Whangarei BHS toppled Auckland's Rosmini College - the reigning North Harbour 1A champions - in an 11-5 nailbiter at Rugby Park to set themselves up for a match against the Auckland 1A champs, Saint Kentigern College, for the Blues Regional final.

North Harbour Rugby operations manager Miles Marcroft said he had received confirmation from the NRU noting their approval of the school's intentions.

"This is quite a significant move ," Marcroft said.

"When they first approached us we said 'no' unless they talked with the NRU."

Despite this, the NHRU welcome the idea of Whangarei BHS joining the likes of Westlake BHS, Rosmini College, Massey High School, Rangitoto College, Orewa College, Takapuna Grammar and Birkenhead College to solidify an eight-team 2016 North Harbour 1A competition.

"It'll strengthen the competition... they had a good season this year. It'll be good for Whangarei BHS," Marcroft said.

Subject to an NRU review at the completion of next season's competition, the longevity of Whangarei BHS taking part in the North Harbour 1st XV 1A will be determined depending on how 2016 pans out.

"Part of the agreement is all the players have to play for Northland... so they're still going to play their rep rugby for Northland," Whangarei BHS sports' co-ordinator and teacher in charge of rugby, Mark Oldridge said.

"The other plus is the Saturday competition... we had no Saturday comp this year so that's a big plus for us and that's what we want for next season,"

"We'd rather know now for what we're doing next year," Oldridge said.