For those who like their schoolboy rugby laced with tradition and tension, Auckland Grammar School was the place to be on Saturday afternoon.
In the 203rd edition of their storied First XV rivalry with King's, which kicked off in 1896, Auckland Grammar won a thriller 15-13, thanks to a last-minutetry to halfback Melino Fineanganofo. They led 10-3 at the break before King's stormed back into the contest.
A crowd variously estimated to be between 6000 and 7000, a typical turnout for this fixture, congregated at Auckland Grammar's top field and, as has become part of the tradition, both schools performed hakas at either end of the field behind their teams before kickoff.
Last year these hakas, which capture some of the unique atmosphere at First XV fixtures in this country, let alone in Auckland, went viral.
Auckland Grammar, the defending 1A champions, now go to 11-0 for this season, including traditional clashes, while King's suffered only their second defeat of 2015, but have an exciting mix which will push hard for semifinal qualification.
King's now lie fourth and have another clash this Saturday for the Kirkpatrick-Fitzpatrick Cup against Sacred Heart. Auckland Grammar, three points adrift of St Kentigern, face a potentially tough match against sixth-placed De La Salle.
Auckland Grammar's victory was their 130th against King's, in one of the most intense rivalries in New Zealand schoolboy rugby.
