Collegiate looking for third spot

The Wanganui Collegiate School 1st XV will play off for third and fourth today after going down 30-7 to Nelson Boys College at an annual rugby quadrangular in Wellington on Monday.

The Collegiate team to be fair are very much in rebuilding mode after key players from the past few season left school last year. In fact, coach Karl Hoskin fielded 12 new caps against a very strong and physical Nelson side on Monday.

"I wasn't too disappointed with the team at all really. The Nelson guys are big boys as are the Wellington College and Christ's College players at this quadrangular," Hoskin said yesterday.

"Many of our guys have come through the school's 2nd XV or under-16 grade team. We brought down a squad of 22 and 14 of them are new caps. We give another two new caps a run against Christ's tomorrow.

"You've got to realise while we are in a rebuilding mode we have only got about 260 boys to select a team from at Collegiate - Nelson has around 1100 and Wellington 1200. Four of our players are still Year 11 and of those Joe Hazelhurst and Daniel Davey played exceptional rugby on Monday impressing a few good judges."

Nelson scored five tries converted one and slotted a penalty to Collegiate's one try by halfback Josh Lennox converted by captain and first five Stephen Perofeta on Monday.

Meanwhile, Wellington scored six tries to one when defeating Christ's 36-8.

Hoskin said lunch at Government House with Governor-General Jerry Mateparae, an afternoon training session and a few hours of downtime was on the agenda yesterday before taking on Christ College today to decide third and fourth place at the quadrangular. Nelson plays Wellington to decide the winner.

"Wellington look real sharp and would have to be favourites," Hoskin said.