Rugby: Mouth-watering Shield battle (+video)

Rotorua Boys' High School 2nd XV will look to defend the prestigious Te Kani Shield when they take on Western Heights High School in the semifinals tomorrow.

They won back the challenge competition trophy last weekend beating holders Bethlehem College 1st XV 35-13, scoring five tries.

And pride will be at stake as Boys' High look to make amends for a 13-12 loss last year at the hands of their local rivals in the Bay of Plenty secondary school rugby division 1.

Boys' High assistant coach Gordan Hunt is anticipating a fiery game and believes the squad is good enough to win the competition this year.

"The school has a very long and proud history with the shield and I want to see it in our hands again," he said. "We have set the goal of winning the next two games but it won't be an easy ride for us.

"It's going to be a tough game on Saturday between two great rivals which always adds a bit of spice to a match."

The competition is steeped in history as the Te Kani Shield was gifted by Paora Te Kani's family after he died in battle in Tunisia in 1943. Since then it has been contested by Bay of Plenty secondary schools and is similar to the Ranfurly Shield, although contested at home and away where the challenger must win the match to win the trophy.

Boys' High, whose head coach is Maurice Stone, reached the semifinal by beating Aquinas College 43-28 and Opotiki College 45-7.

Victory in the shield would see them gain promotion to the Chiefs Cup for next year, where they would play in the division below Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV.

"Everybody wants to reach their full potential and the players could really develop if we got the promotion," Hunt said.

"The school has a great rugby tradition and we want to have success across the board with our teams.

On Saturday the hosts will have to look out for their rival's fullback - Brodie Wood who has been in devastating form for them this season.

And will rely on their big and impressive pack to create an attacking platform for their back line attack weapon in half back Rehua Selwyn.

Whilst Liam Preston and Bailey Gordan have combined well in the halves to pose a real threat for Rotorua Boys'.

Meanwhile, Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV are also in action tomorrow as they take on Wesley College in the third and fourth play-off match in the 2016 University of Waikato Chiefs Cup.

The two 1st XVs will also contest for the Chris Grinter trophy in tomorrow's game - an annual competition between the two sides honouring Grinter's [the current Boys' High Principal] connection with the two schools as he was previously principal at Wesley College.

- Rotorua Boys High School 2nd XV v Western Heights High School, at 12pm, Saturday, Rotorua Boys High School, No2 field.

- Rotorua Boys High School 1st XV v Wesley College, at 12pm, Saturday, Rotorua Boys High School, No1 field.

- For more information about the Te Kani Shield and Bay of Plenty secondary school rugby visit www.boprugby.co.nz.