Meet the boys of the Tangaroa College First XV and the coach that turned the team from a struggling side to 1A contenders. Video / Anthony Costello
Sacred Heart defeated Auckland Grammar 23-18, maintaining their path to a top four berth.
Palmerston North ended Tauranga Boys’ 12-match winning streak with a 34-29 comeback victory.
Napier Boys’ rallied to beat Hamilton Boys’ 40-29, inspired by the memory of Kaea Karauria.
First XV wrap: Sacred Heart map a path to victory while Auckland Grammar lose their way; Tauranga toppled by a titanic comeback; Napier humble Hamilton; Christchurch stay top after an incredible spectacle; all the nationwide action ...
A resolute, hard-boiled Sacred Heart College team have stayed on target for atop-four berth in Auckland 1A First XV rugby with a white-knuckled 23-18 win over Auckland Grammar.
After a cracking contest in perfect conditions, third-placed Sacred have amassed 29 points and with lowly Dilworth and Botany Downs still to play, should crack the 39-point mark, which has been sufficient to make the cut for the past three seasons.
But with four rounds remaining, it’s back to the drawing board for Grammar, who have slightly lost their way and slumped to seventh on the table after the frustration of four losses by seven points or less.
As fate would have it, “Grammar losing their way” evolved as something of a teasing, light-hearted game-day sub-theme, complete with presentation, at an entertaining pre-match luncheon in the Sacred Heart hall, attended by 250 supporters from both camps.
Auckland Grammar v Sacred Heart: Tackling was fierce all day from both teams. Photo / Bruce Holloway
This is a rugby fixture which dates back to 1897, heavily favouring Grammar, with only two seasons since 1903 when the schools have not clashed.
The first of these omissions occurred in 1988, when Grammar somehow lost their way pre-season and, under the structure of the day, found themselves relegated out of the 1A grade for the only time, to the great chagrin of legendary headmaster John Graham.
The historical gag was that in suddenly having to travel from leafy Epsom to far-flung obscure schools in unfamiliar environs in the boondocks of South Auckland and West Auckland, Grammar would need a pretty decent street map.
Luncheon MC Matt Grace recounted all this history in expressing personal regret about how he had missed out on facing Grammar that year, and then good-humouredly presented one of the Grammar old boys with a dog-eared Wises Street Directory they’d had hanging about at the college as a treasured memento from that unique 1988 season.
Fast-forward to 2025. In a match where Grammar showed plenty of backline aptitude, had the better goalkicker in Hadley Herman, led 10-8 at the break and were level at 18-18 with 14 minutes remaining, you could argue that all Grammar needed was a metaphorical roadmap to get themselves home after their string of narrow losses.
But instead, they once again lost their way. When boisterous Sacred blindside flanker Etikeni Helu scored his second try of the day nine minutes from time, to huge acclaim on the embankment, that was the game.
Sacred Heart fans enjoyed their day as the First XV played Auckland Grammar. Photo / Bruce Holloway
The match started with penalties traded, then Grammar flanker Jack Lundon answered the call of the wild to burst through and score under the posts for a 10-3 lead.
Six minutes before the break, Sacred flanker Ngawai Amoamo reduced the deficit with one of the day’s best moves. Prop Ravai Faktaufon breached the Grammar line and cleverly slipped the ball to the mobile Amoamo, who steamed 30m to the line.
Grammar created several chances through their dynamic outside backs, with fullback Luke Thomson and right wing Rokko Walker always dangerous.
But Sacred enjoyed a dominant set piece and from one 5m scrum early in the second spell, No 8 Cruiz Simpson peeled away and dived over the line. Another Sacred try quickly followed with Grammar increasingly forced into errors.
Grammar were poised to pull a try back, but a poor pass triggered a knock-on, from which Sacred launched an improbable 70m attack. However, Grammar ran the ball back just as quickly and this time, centre Bastion Armstrong went over in the corner to narrow the deficit to 18-15.
On a day when goalkicking was generally below par, a Grammar penalty to Herman levelled things, setting the stage for a tense finish.
But Helu’s second try set the stage for Sacred to control the final minutes, during which they managed a tighthead scrum win and then carefully recycled the ball as they ran the clock down.
Skipper Cruiz Simpson was huge for Sacred as was Faktaufon, while hooker Connor Murdoch had his moments for Grammar, as did flanker Robbie Kelso-Heap.
Sacred Heart skipper Cruiz Simpson raises his fist in triumph at the final whistle of their match against Auckland Grammar. Photo / Bruce Holloway
Grammar could possibly have nicked a draw. But on a day when MC Grace ordered everybody to stand at lunch for a jaunty band rendition of Slice of Heaven – the equivalent of the national anthem at Sacred Heart (where Dave Dobbyn went to school) – you got the feeling Grammar were always going to be up against it.
The tally in this fixture now stands at Auckland Grammar 118 wins, Sacred Heart 41 wins and 13 draws. But the balance is slowly changing, with 10 Sacred wins since 2016.
Brotherly love
Sacred Heart are sending a development team to Japan later in the season and settled on a novel fundraiser at the pre-match luncheon, at the same time honouring two of the school’s nonagenarian icons: Brother Michael and Brother Richard.
To honour their 75 years of service as Marist Brothers, the college’s rugby committee teamed up with the Dunleavy family of Waiheke’s Te Motu Wines to supply two jeroboams (three litres) of their renowned Kokoro (translates as Patriarch) – which is right up there with the very best of New Zealand’s Bordeaux-style wine.
These were auctioned off, with even the Grammar faithful among the bidders. For the record, the Brother Richard-labelled jeroboam went for $1700, and the second auction for Brother Michael, the legendary Sacred First XV coach from the 60s and 70s, was sold for an impressive $2200.
King’s top, De La Salle doing better in league
It was no surprise to see King’s College collect their sixth bonus point of the season with a 45-17 win over De La Salle College on Friday and retain their lead at the top of the 1A table.
There were tries to many of the usual suspects in Josh McKay, Johan Schaumkell, Calvin Harris-Tavita, Anae Paila, Hemana Connew, Logan Marsh and Zion Heiloa Savaka and five conversions from skipper Marco Miln.
However, 17 points is also the most De La Salle have mustered all season, so there is still hope at Gray Ave.
But it’s hard to get a good track on once-strong De La Salle this season. For starters, they would appear to be struggling more than any other school with the new Ruby Xplorer registration and competition management platform.
They have not managed to upload a single team list all season, let alone point-scorer details or commentary and it’s always difficult to mould a high-performing outfit when the team’s management is struggling with the basics.
However, while De La Salle might be languishing at the bottom of the table in 1A rugby, it might not be totally unrelated that they are on fire in the premier First XIII rugby league competition.
In College Sport’s premier boys’ league, defending champions De La Salle again qualified for this year’s First XIII grand final with a stirring 24-20 semifinal win over Southern Cross Campus at Walter Massey Park last week.
And it was instructive to see the full match broadcast for viewing on De La Salle College Sport’s Facebook page.
In October 2022, De La Salle principal Myles Hogarty, as spokesman for the Auckland rugby principals, announced a 1A media ban, including broadcasts of matches, arguing it was creating undue pressure on young players.
A ban on broadcasts would assist their responsibility to create “safer environments” for their students, he said. At the time, Hogarty specifically stressed the “negative impacts of unnecessary hype” that came with the broadcasting of games.
But you couldn’t have got much more visual hype than the broadcast mass crowd invasion at fulltime in the league semifinal.
So what is the difference between schoolboy rugby and league when it comes to the dangers of broadcast media? Why is broadcasting one code bad – but the other okay? Or does the broadcast medium make a difference? Reader comments are welcomed at the email address below.
Meanwhile, St Kentigern Boys’ School kept the pressure on King’s with a 50-7 win against Mt Albert Grammar, with the feature being four tries to left winger Leofe Usufono.
Power centre Jonathan Simote led the way with three tries as Liston College continued their season-to-remember with a 57-12 win over Dilworth School. Blindside Sione Katoa grabbed two, while fullback Conrad Chaston added 13 points with a try and four conversions.
Botany Downs College came their closest yet to picking up their first win, before losing 19-17 to St Paul’s College. There were three tries apiece, with St Paul’s winger Sebastian Smith nailing one more conversion to secure the win.
Right wing Jeremiah Lemana scored two tries as defending champions Kelston Boys’ High School beat St Peter’s 29-8, with the result giving them a fighting chance of making the top four.
All the other Kelston points came from the boot of first five-eighths Max Talbot, nailing five penalties and two conversions.
For St Peter’s, there was a try to left winger Christian Roache and a Malakai Hafoka penalty.
If St Peter’s were having a bad day, Talbot was having yet another very good day and is a talent to watch for over the next 18 months. One of his left-footed penalty kicks was from 55m on the angle, while he also rakes off big metres kicking from hand, can kick to the corners for his wingers and is also developing his running game as a 16-year-old Year 12.
‘Like a test match’
Comments from King’s College head coach Ian Robinson, reflecting on the significance of his team’s victory over Auckland Grammar in the previous round and published on the school’s website, are well worth repeating.
“You treat these games like a test match,” Robinson said. “We knew coming in that it was going to be a real battle – and it was an amazing advertisement for schoolboy footy. The atmosphere, the pressure, everything about it felt huge. But our boys showed incredible belief and care in their preparation this week, and it showed out there on the field.”
Auckland 1A draw: (2.30pm, Saturday, June 21) Sacred Heart v Auckland Grammar; Kelston v St Peter’s; St Kentigern v Mt Albert Grammar; St Paul’s v Botany Downs
Auckland 1A points: King’s College 34, St Kentigern 33, Sacred Heart 29, Liston 26, Kelston 25, St Peter’s 21, Auckland Grammar 19, St Paul’s 10, Mt Albert Grammar 10, Dilworth 7, St Paul’s 6, Botany Downs 2, De La Salle 1.
Rosmini lead in North Harbour
Rosmini College retained their one-point lead over Westlake Boys High School in the Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour championship after both schools had comfortable bonus-point wins in the latest round.
Rosmini beat Mahurangi College 48-12 while Westlake were 58-0 victors over Takapuna Grammar.
Mahurangi did manage first-half tries to prop Jacob Chown-Mills and centre Max Matthews, but Rosmini ran in seven tries and right wing Braden Morley added 13 points with his boot.
In a round of otherwise lopsided scorelines, Rangitoto College were pushed hard by Massey High School before winning 18-14. There were two tries apiece with the kicking of Rangitoto first five-eighths Joaquin Dechiara proving the difference. Prop Emanuel Taulapapa kept Massey in the hunt with a second-half try.
Whangārei Boys’ High School eased to a 63-5 home win over Ōrewa College.
North Harbour draw: (3.30pm, Thursday, June 19) Rangitoto v Takapuna. Saturday (home team first, all 12 noon): Whangārei v Mahurangi; Rosmini v Massey; Ōrewa v Westlake.
Tauranga Boys’ College’s 12-match winning streak in Super 8 is over, shocked by Palmerston North Boys’ High School 34-29.
Nicholson Field went from joyful to dissonant as the defending champions relinquished a 19-0 lead to lose for the first time since a 21-17 setback to Hastings Boys’ in Round 6, 2023.*
In the opening quarter, Tauranga’s saxophone band played merrily while Malachi Emmett, Tommy “Ethereal” McQuoid, and Ioapo Kuptia each scored tries, establishing a significant advantage.
Tauranga were ruthless in capitalising on turnovers and consistently outflanked their opponents, an issue earnestly addressed by Palmerston North coach Dan Turnock at halftime.
“We got caught up in the occasion,” Turnock lamented. “Tauranga is a great team, and playing at home creates an amazing atmosphere that can be intimidating.
“Defensively, we were too narrow and got beaten on the outside. Once we adjusted our alignment, we were able to get up and smash them.
“Carlo Isaac scored a try from a scrum, which was a turning point for us. When Jamie Viljoen intercepted a pass just before halftime, I felt we were right back in the game.”
Openside flanker Isaac had a mighty match, leading a defence that held Tauranga up over the tryline four times. Tauranga grew frustrated, becoming increasingly untidy around the breakdown and making unnecessary passes.
In the 42nd minute, the visitors took the lead for the first time. Viljoen seized a shallow clearance at halfway and after two quick passes, winger Cole Cullen galloped 40m to score. Just five minutes later, second five-eighths Nehemiah Su’a intercepted and made an 80m surge for a try.
Conceding 29 unanswered points would terminate most teams, but Tauranga fought back. In the 56th minute, bountiful centre Ethan McManemin scored a try, reducing the deficit to 29-26, and Ivan Ward equalised with a 63rd-minute penalty.
“To be honest, they had all the momentum at that point,” Turnock said. “They’re a tough side to stop when they get rumbling, and that starts from jersey one through to 15.
“We tried to keep working for each other and stay focused. If an opportunity arose, we had to seize it.”
Cullen has been alternating between the First XV and Second XV, and it seems the Year 12 student is determined not to be demoted again. He scored a second try and the winning score with five minutes left, showcasing textbook finishing by getting low and holding the ball tightly in his left hand to evade the rushing defence. The influential trio of Viljoen, Su’a, and centre Cayden Pardey created the necessary space.
Tauranga and Palmerston North had never faced each other while both were unbeaten in the Super 8. Palmerston North’s victory, their first in four matches against Tauranga, takes their lead in the all-time series to 14-12. With one more win, Palmerston North will almost certainly secure their first appearance in a final since 2014.
Earlier in the week, Palmerston North celebrated the 100th anniversary of their first All Black. On July 17, 1925, Arthur Law played for the All Blacks against New South Wales B in Sydney. Arthur attended Palmerston North from 1919 to 1921, and in 2012, his family donated his All Blacks jersey to the school, where it is now displayed in the rector’s office.
Palmerston North face Rotorua and Napier Boys’ for the Poison Banner in their last two fixtures.
* Hamilton Boys’ won 17 consecutive matches from 2019 to 2022 and were unbeaten in 19 successive matches between 2006 and 2009.
With time expired against a cacophony of disapproval, Richards-Te Whau successfully landed his sixth kick from an angle, 45m out, salvaging a victory in a match that featured five lead changes and four tries scored by each team. It’s little wonder Richards-Te Whau was deliriously ambushed by his schoolmates afterwards.
Rotorua Boys high School First XV skipper Te Ariki Rogers in the centre of a team huddle. Photo / Bruce Holloway
In his 33rd year as principal of Rotorua Boys’ High, Chris Grinter’s last staff appointment was Hika Elliot. Elliot, a former All Blacks hooker, now serves as Rotorua’s rugby director, where he oversees the development of a dozen teams.
In 2004, Elliot had captained Hastings to its first Super 8 title, defeating the national champions coached by Grinter. The following two decades saw Elliot experience a rollercoaster of extraordinary triumphs and some notable lows.
Elliot, who exudes mana, is skilled at managing a full gamut of emotions, but even the two-time Chiefs Super Rugby champion was surprised by Richards-Te Whau’s epic kick.
“Tukotahi is a multi-talented athlete. He plays touch rugby, waka ama, sevens and league. We trust our boys to make the right calls, but 45 metres out into the wind?
“Come on. We’ve already used four goalkickers this year,” Elliot remarked with a laugh.
“To be honest, I haven’t met too many nicer young men than Te Ariki. I helped coach the Chiefs U18s last year, and he was the captain of that group as a 15-year-old. That shows the presence he carries and the confidence he inspires in those around him.”
Rotorua were inspired in the first half, securing a four-try bonus point and leading 28-12. In the ninth minute, bustling blindside Solomone Mailulu javelined through, followed by the combative Rogers, dedicated lock Hunter Weaver and agile fullback Isileli Tuutafaiva.
Hastings hinted at promise when winger John Lameko trampled past two defenders, and prop Isi Qaranivalu – the first Hastings player to reach 50 First XV matches since Kianu Kereru-Symes – scored from close range.
After the break, fellow prop Nehemiah Lauvao was a wrecking ball, and when No 8 Panapa Peia lunged in, the score tightened to 28-27 with 16 minutes remaining.
Southpaw Tana Faumuina kicked Hastings into the lead at 30-27 in the 59th minute, but Richards-Te Whau quickly responded for Rotorua three minutes later.
Faumuina missed a relative sitter in the 64th minute, but managed to convert a much trickier attempt three minutes after that.
“We went into our shells in the second half,” Elliot admitted. “Part of the challenge of being a rugby director is teaching the boys to handle adversity. They may make mistakes, get injured, fall out of favour with a coach, be on the wrong side of a refereeing call, or lose games.
“So many variables come into play and I was anxious about the role, but the boys are responsive. I’m learning a lot from them, and I hope they’re learning a lot from me.”
Elliot reflected on his return to Hastings Boys’ High.
“That kura [school] will always hold a special place in my heart. They gave me a chance and launched my career as a professional rugby player. What I wanted to see from Rotorua was a solid performance that showed respect for the occasion.”
Overall, Rotorua hold a 17-11 advantage in Super 8 matches against Hastings. Rotorua have won the Super 8 championship in 1998, 2000 and 2022, boasting an overall record of 114 wins, 78 losses, and three draws.
Super 8 points: Palmerston North 24, Tauranga 17, Hastings 16, Rotorua 15, Hamilton 9, Napier 7, New Plymouth 5, Gisborne 1.
Feilding stay in touch with Central North Island leaders
Austin Tunnicliffe produced a classic display of foraging flanker play as Feilding High School defeated St Paul’s Collegiate 35-7 at the Dog Pound to stay within range of the leaders in the Central North Island First XV Championship.
Tunnicliffe worked hard in the air at lineouts to disrupt St Paul’s and took all his own balls to give Feilding a huge advantage, while he also made plenty of tackles when ranging wide on defence, earned turnovers and made sure of his passes in link play.
Feilding High School First XV players on their way to victory over St Paul's Collegiate.
Right winger Aston Scott, playing his 30th match for Feilding, opened the scoring with a well-worked try, while talented No 8 Rupeni Raviyawa soon followed that up by plucking a high-kicked ball and galloping in for a try and a 14-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Feilding’s Alani Fakava and Peni Havea also got on the scoresheet, while Kingston Manihera-Dankwa added a blistering special and Nixon Foreman kicked five conversions.
Prop Lachie Mollard scored a second-half try for St Paul’s with Jackson Hay converting.
Meanwhile, Lindisfarne College moved to the top of Central North Island standings with a 44-14 away win over Francis Douglas Memorial College, after having killed the contest off with a first-half 34-0 lead.
St Peter’s Cambridge – who have played one game fewer – remain a threat after their 24-12 home win over St John’s Hamilton, while Wesley College had their biggest win of the season, 88-0 away to St John’s Hastings.
Central North Island points: Lindisfarne 30 (7 matches), St Peter’s 29, Feilding 27, Wesley 18, St Paul’s 15, Whanganui 12, St John’s Hamilton 11 (7 matches), Francis Douglas 6, St John’s Hastings 0.
Wellington College slip to fourth at halfway mark
At the halfway stage of the Tranzit Coachlines Premiership, pre-season favourites Wellington College have fallen to fourth place, usurped by St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Town) and Hutt International Boys’ School (Hibs).
Despite Wellington College steamrolling St Bernard’s College 67-10 under dim floodlights at the NZCIS on Wednesday night, they were surpassed in the standings by Town and Hibs, both of whom secured bonus-point victories in their matches.
Hibs topped Tawa College 26-10. Liam Phelps fits swimmingly at centre and capped off a strong performance with a try. First five-eighths Carter Cunningham provided steady leadership, and Hibs tackled effectively against a larger pack.
In contrast, Town, who faced a determined Rathkeale College, secured a 43-17 victory by leveraging their size. They scored three tries from lineout drives with hooker Donncha McNamara-Taele tumbling over twice. First five-eighths Gia Johnston stood out with his precise kicking and creative attacking options. For Rathkeale, lock Edward Weathestone and No 8 Jone Ralulu were eye-catching.
Wellington College outscored St Bernard’s College 11 tries to two in greasy, steamy conditions. Hooker Seb Hopkins, whose controversial red card against St Patrick’s Silverstream was rescinded, celebrated his second hat-trick of the season. Lock Laifone Kamoto made a stomping 40m run for his try. Sprightly halfback Bentley Faulkner and fullback Tom Hughson each contributed two tries.
St Patrick’s Silverstream maintained their perfect record by consigning Rongotai College to their fifth consecutive defeat, winning 46-17.
Rongotai only have four returning players from last season. Despite their genuine spirit, they were outclassed by the cunning Silverstream, who scored four tries in each half.
First five-eighths Fletcher Cooper was influential, scoring a try and assisting centre Abraham Smith, hooker Riley Browne and wingers Lochie Jackson and Ashton Steere. Replacement forward Jordan Russell made a big impact off the bench with a series of powerful runs, culminating in a try where he brushed aside the last defender with disdain.
Rongotai hooker Liko Sialava’a scored two tries and sturdy first five-eighths Jarrell Sagoke-Mears had the last say in an eventful match. He received a yellow card, but boasts a prodigious right boot.
Silverstream and Rongotai have tussled in a traditional fixture since 1957. In 66 matches, Silverstream have won 44 times, while Rongotai have claimed 19 victories. The last of the three draws occurred in 1976.
Elsewhere, an Ethan Davidson hat-trick highlighted Wairarapa College’s 43-17 thrashing of struggling Scots College.
Wellington Tranzit Coachlines Cup points: Silverstream 24, St Pat’s Town 21, HIBS 21, Wellington 14, Rathkeale 13, Wairarapa 10, Scots 7, Tawa 7, St Bernards 5, Rongotai 3.
Christchurch stay top after an incredible spectacle
Christchurch Boys’ High School’s 61-40 win over St Thomas of Canterbury unfolded as a 15-try bonanza and was every bit as high-paced and captivating as the scoreline suggests.
The players were out on their feet at the end, the big crowd was in awe and the play was often incredible in a win that kept Christchurch one point clear at the top of the table, but saw St Thomas drop one place to fourth.
The highlights started early, with the first try in the opening minute as openside flanker Jonty Leary made a 50m break from outside his own 22m, bumping off multiple tackles before feeding inside to No 8 Sione Telefoni, who powered over under the posts.
Right wing Cam Hay kicked the first of his eight conversions.
Not to be outdone, St Thomas came right back, scoring the first of their six tries after five minutes through lock Ben Broomhall.
But tries to Christchurch’s openside Jonty Leary and a second to Sione Telefoni saw the score progress quickly to 21-5, before St Thomas came back with their second try to No 8 Arona Faavia after concerted pressure. With the conversion, it was back to a 21-12 scoreline.
The second quarter of the game belonged to Christchurch with tries to Will Brown, Francis Afolaufou (2) and Dylan Giles and the score blew out to 47-12 at the break after an incredible half.
The second half lacked the same fluidity, but St Thomas began to hold on to the ball better and build phases. Tries in the 42nd and 57th minutes got them back into the game at 47-26 as they started to play the style of rugby that they are renowned for.
Finally the tide was stemmed and quickfire tries to Boys’ High in the 60th and 62nd minutes to Liam Newfield and Telefoni again extended the gap out to 61-26. However, it would be St Thomas with the final say, scoring two late tries of their own.
For St Thomas, Neihana Mata’afa kicked five conversions and Cameron Jones eight for Christchurch.
Nelson College soared back into the top four, inflicting the largest defeat of the season upon Shirley Boys’ High School, 52-12.
Nelson scored eight tries, six converted, in posting their second-half century of the season. Noah Brehaut came off the bench and scored two tries while prolific hooker Jack Potter rumbled over again.
Marlborough Boys’ College held second spot with a 24-19 away win over St Bede’s College, with No 8 Rico Nicklin scoring two tries and prop Jordyn Gardiner and lock George Adams one apiece.
A 66th-minute try to St Bede’s halfback Ethan O’Donovan kept the finish interesting.
Fifth-placed St Andrew’s College beat Christ’s College 41-21, despite having second five-eighths Seymour Stowers-Smith red-carded for a high tackle in the 50th minute.
Halfback Ollie Jackways led the way with two tries, while other scorers were No 8 Caleb Collins, fullback Jett Timbrell, centre Aza Roebeck and hooker Jonty Lang. For Christ’s, substitute Henry Smith scored two tries.
Selwyn Combined did well to pocket their third win of the season with a 25-14 away victory over Rangiora High School, considering they amassed three second-half yellow cards in the process.
Prop Patrick Halligan, halfback Fionn Burke and skipper Brooklyn Dalgety scored tries while Ryder Allin kicked 10 points.
Miles Toyota Premiership points: Christchurch 35, Marlborough 34, Nelson 24, St Thomas 23, St Andrew’s 20 Christ’s 15, St Bede’s 13, Selwyn 13, Shirley 13, Rangiora 2.
King’s start with a win
King’s High School began the second round of the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools Rugby Championship by subduing newly promoted St Kevin’s College 36-12. St Kevin’s managed to score two tries, both by outside backs Orlando Narruhn and Kento Tokai. However, King’s forwards were heavier and more clinical, scoring four of their six tries. Notable performances came from tighthead prop Henry Hunter and powerful No 8 Tautai Taiala, each contributing a try.
Southland Boys’ High School easily defeated their seconds 63-5. A standout performer was winger Zeke Siolo, who scored two tries. It’s worth noting that Southland only made four of 11 conversions but have won 17 competition games in a row.
In a close match, Otago Boys’ High School narrowly defeated John McGlashan College 17-12. This result was a reversal of their first-round encounter. For Otago, Jack Scott, Rahui Valli, and Inailau Llai Faletolu scored tries. John McGlashan managed to secure a consolation bonus point with tries from Luka Riley and Sam Hancox.
Freeman Roofing Southern Schools Championship points: Southland 5, King’s 5, Otago 4, John McGlashan 1, St Kevin’s 0, Southland Second XV 0.
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