Rugby: Feilding 1st XV in finals

Wanganui will have a large voice in the Hurricanes region final of the national co-ed competition this afternoon through the youngsters in the Feilding High School 1st XV.

FAHS will meet Tawa College 1st XV at Arena Manawatu after winning their way through the knockout competition, including hammering Wanganui Collegiate 64-19 in Wanganui last weekend.

At least 16 members of the team have Wanganui and Taihape connections, being either boarders at FAHS or recently moved to the school's area.

Coach Sam Moore, who is also the FAHS hostel manager, said the boys were "quality" kids, having good strength across the park.

FAHS had previously been squeezed by Collegiate in their last encounter, winning 12-11, but they took the game away in the second half of their return encounter.

Saia Teumohenga scored a hat-trick, while Simon Goss, Matthew Raleigh and Alex Hawira had big games.

Today's match will decide who goes through to the national co-ed finals.

Like Manawatu schoolboy rugby, there is no extra time and a countback of tries will decide the winner if there is a deadlock.

"They're a pretty good side and it will be a good contest," said Moore about Tawa. "We're looking forward to playing them, haven't played them before." Kickoff is at 12pm.