Rugby: Rotorua still undefeated

Bay of Plenty rugby has a lot to look forward to if a clash between the province's two best rugby schools is anything to go by.

Rotorua Boys' High School U15 team demolished Tauranga Boys' College U15 team 55-3 yesterday, during an annual exchange at Rotorua Boys' High School.

The game acted as a precursor to the first XV clash between the two schools tomorrow, in the first round of Super 8 competition.

Rotorua Boys' U15 coach Richard Francis said the core group of his side had played together for about seven years now and had created a very tight bond and a good style of rugby.

"It's about the culture in the team, it's hard to beat the bond that they have," he said.

Francis said he believed some of his players could go on and make a career in the sport in the future.

Yesterday's game started in usual derby fashion, with a spirited haka, sparking a tight and physical contest for field possession.

It took 20 minutes before either team got off the mark, with Tauranga coming undone by a handling error close to its own line.

Rotorua used its field possession well and found hard-running flanker Mitch Regan in space, who scored the first of his three tries to get the game rolling.

A penalty goal to Tauranga Boys' College followed before two more tries to Boys' High gave them a 15-3 lead at half time.

When the second half got underway it was evident which team would take home the chocolates.

Boys' High captain Matangireia Yates-Francis opened the floodgates when he scored his team's fourth try of the match, running hard up the middle and dotting down next to the post.

Minutes later the try of the game unfolded for Boys' High with quick hands leading to a big break down the right hand flank.

The playmaker dummied to his outside man and weaved back towards the posts before offloading in a tackle to back-up runner Regan who scored under the posts.

Tauranga slipped out of the contest following the try, conceding another four tries before the final whistle blew.

In the end, Rotorua Boys' High School ran out convincing winners 55-3.

The team is undefeated in all competitions this year.

Players from the U15 teams will begin playing first XV and second XV rugby from next year, with the next step club and provincial rugby.