Rugby: Pride at stake in school Quadrangular

Wanganui Collegiate first-five Stephen Perofeta went on to score a try against Rathkeale on June 17, but will need to bring all his skills against Wellington College on Monday. Photo/File

Even after 88 years, the passion never dies.

It is Wanganui Collegiate's turn, and honour, to host the annual Quadrangular 1st XV rugby tournament against old foes Wellington College, Canterbury's Christ's College and Nelson College, kicking off on Monday.

There are plenty of motivations for all four squads, but the key equation for the hosts and the South Island schools will be if anyone can stop the dominance of Wellington, who have not been headed in the tournament since 2002.

For Christ's and Nelson, their game on Monday will also double as an important Press Cup match, which is the schoolboys tournament held between 15 teams inside the Crusaders region.

Wellington's 11-straight Quadrangular victories have lifted them well ahead in the historic tally with 32 titles overall, followed by Nelson (18), then Collegiate and Christ's (both 14).

The home team's last success was when they went back-to-back in 1990-91, around half a decade before any current members of the 1st XV were born.

Believed to be the oldest secondary school rugby tournament in New Zealand, it dates back to 1889 as a triangular between Collegiate, Christ's and Wellington, with Nelson joining in 1925 to make it the Quadrangular as it is known today.

In the 2013 tournament at the packed Nelson College grounds, Collegiate were beaten 34-10 by the home team first up, having been tied 10-10 at halftime.

That put them in the minor final against Christ's, who scored an unconverted try in the dying minutes to salvage an 18-18 draw.

Under the rules, each school must play the team they didn't meet the year before, so that will put Collegiate in the tough position of meeting Wellington first up.

The winners of the opening games will go on to the final on Wednesday afternoon, while the two beaten sides will play off in the minor final earlier that day.

Both Wednesday games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports' Rugby Channel.

Collegiate have their last big training session tomorrow, which is when the other squads will arrive.

Monday will start with an 8.30am Chapel Service, before Nelson plays Christ's at 1pm, followed by Collegiate taking on Wellington at 2.40pm. On Wednesday, the minor final kicks off at 12.10pm, followed by the big game at 1.45pm.

The Wanganui Collegiate 1st XV is:

Scott Abbiss, Te Atuarere Albert (c), Sam Beard, Whatarangi Biel-Peehi, Ruslan Casey, Nick Cave, Joe Edwards, Luke Foster, Tate Harte, Jack Hughes, Todd Inness, Callum Joblin-Alward, Blade Jones, Will Lilburn, Daniel McCartin, Shaquille McKay, Tim McKenzie, Patrick Parker, Stephen Perofeta, Philip Sanders, Barnaby Smith, Ryan Topham. Coach: Denis Edwards; Manager: Chris Bensemann.