Rugby: Boys' High enter crunch period

The chances of Rotorua Boys' High School's first XV clinching another title this season are partly out of their hands after three rounds. Photo/Ben Fraser

Saturday marks moving day for the Rotorua Boys' High School first XV in the Super Eight rugby competition.

Last weekend's 17-31 defeat at the hands of a Hamilton Boys' High School side intent on avenging an early season shut-out loss has left the Chiefs Cup champions reliant on other results going their way after just three rounds of action.

Fellow mid-table side Hastings Boys' High School come to town this weekend looking to get their campaign back on track after falling 11-21 to second-placed Gisborne Boys' High School away from home last weekend.

Rotorua Boys' High School coach Bruce Buckton said his players know they need two quality wins over the next fortnight to stand any chance of adding another piece of silverware to the cupboard.

"You never want to leave it up to a mathematical chance," he said, even though technically that is all his side has now.

Buckton said the team had run into a Hamilton Boys' side at a bad time following the reinstatement of players stood down for stealing while representing the school at the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament in Japan, but believed his players had largely given a good account of themselves.

"I'm glad we got to play them now rather than at the end of the year, though we're not happy with how we contested the contact areas of the game."

Work at the breakdown and lineout would be emphasised this week as Buckton was happy with how the scrum performed.

Kick-off is at noon, with the two schools' 2nd XVs to meet at 10.30am.

In other action, unbeaten competition leaders Hamilton Boys' will host Napier Boys' High School, while last-placed New Plymouth Boys' High School will visit Gisborne Boys'.

Tauranga Boys' College, edged 23-24 last weekend by Napier Boys', will travel to play a Palmerston North Boys' High School side fresh from a 45-0 hiding of New Plymouth Boys'.