The Northland 1st XV rugby champions, Kaitaia College, have an awesome opportunity to test themselves at a higher level against Massey High School, the North Harbour champs, when the two sides clash in Kaitaia this coming Tuesday.
Kaitaia College coach Dave Jurlina noted this match represented a big challenge forhis boys and was hoping for a big turnout from the local community in support.
"The last team they played against in this competition was St Kentigern's who were in a different class but we are hoping of having a better chance against this Massey team, who have a role of over 2300 students. They pose a real physical presence but the Kaitaia College team can also boast its biggest forward pack in some time and a front row with an average weight of 115kg.
"Kaitaia will expect to be more evenly matched and this coupled with some extreme talent in their backline means we couldn't be more prepared for the game with 12 boys being selected for the Northland U18s and Viking teams, and 15 playing for the Milers, the Northland under 19 champions, we are not lacking in ability."
Jurlina noted the home team will be well led by Sean Windleborn-Rawiri and supported in the forwards by Devron Phillips, Mana Barry-Taylor, while a fast backline offered plenty of skill through the likes of Hamish Pomare and Shelford Murray among others.
If Kaitaia wins, the Kaitaia 1st XV then gets to play the top co-ed school from Auckland (also in Kaitaia), with the winner from that match progressing to play the top school from the Chiefs franchise. However, Jurlina was under no illusion his side was going into Tuesday's match as underdogs; in Hamilton on Saturday to support Northland in the Ranfurly Shield Challenge, he took the opportunity to race up to Auckland to catch son Brandon playing for College Rifles and also saw Massey play Rosmini in the Auckland secondary schools competition.
"They are big units," he said of the Massey forwards.
Tuesday's game kicks-off on the Kaitaia College top fields at 1.05pm.
