Rugby: St Kents smash Boys' High

Whangarei Boys' High School's Judah Andrews braces for impact during his side's 63-0 loss to Saint Kentigern College yesterday. Photo / John Stone

It was a case of boys versus men in Whangarei Boys' High School's annual 1st XV match against Saint Kentigern College yesterday.

The visiting side turned up to play top-level rugby and showed no love for the Whangarei side, whose injury count was dealt a hefty blow in a 63-nil demolition.

"The first half was a bit of an eye opener," said Boy's High coach Mark Kapa.

"(But) in the second half we actually got down and did some good work, so I'm really proud of the boys."

The home team suffered several injury blows ranging from a broken wrist to concussion in the 80-minute onslaught.

One injury, which will hurt Boy's High's start to the regular season, was that of key player Mitchell Reader.

Reader was carted off to hospital in the first half after suffering a suspected broken wrist in the first half.

In response to the vast injury count Kapa said, "We've got plenty of depth in the school and guys will be jumping to get into the team."

Despite being outpaced, outsized and, ultimately, outscored, his team would be in shape for their season opener in three weeks, Kapa said.

"There[are] heaps of positives to come out of today. I think it's really just about getting a bit of belief growing and knowing what hard rugby's all about.

"(We're) looking really good for our first game in three weeks. This has been a big development process."

Saint Kentigern's 1st XV coach, Tai Lavea, said his side had a "handful of boys unavailable today through injury but it was good to get over the line in the end".

"It's pre season so it's more about the guys just getting some football," he said.

With the dust settled for another year, both coaches were keen to keep the tradition of a pre-season fixture alive.

"We've played Whangarei the last four years. We like coming up here. It's nice to stay connected with a school up North," Lavea said.

Kapa agreed "it needs to keep going". "The tradition is key."

In the under-15s clash between the two schools, Boys' High proved their current batch of young players can ride with the best, winning 22-15 in an explosive match.