Wanganui to hold own qualifiers

Jona Nareki was one of the finds of the season and more are expected to be discovered during the Wanganui qualifying round for the Condor Sevens Rugby tournament at Cooks Gardens next month. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Top performances last season have opened a pathway for Wanganui to find its own way into the national Condor Sevens Rugby Tournament for boys' secondary schools this season.

Wanganui Rugby Union community development officer Jordan Farrington said in previous years Wanganui schools have had to qualify against Taranaki schools, which has proved difficult.

In 2013 an experienced and full-strength Wanganui High School team threatened some of the top schools in New Plymouth and earned a spot in the Condor Sevens nationals.

They were a last-minute entry, but the WHS team showed they were not at the national secondary schools BNZ Condor Sevens to make up the numbers last season.

Granted a wild card to replace Southland Boys' High School after Condor tournament director Phil Gaze was impressed with WHS's runner-up performance at the Taranaki Secondary Schools Sevens, Wanganui finished with two wins and three losses at Kelston Boys High School grounds.

The 2013 national tournament ended for WHS in the Bowl competition after losing in the semifinals to St Peter's School (Cambridge), 20-7.

"After a successful tournament the Condor officials elected to open a spot for our own Wanganui region this season," Farrington said.

"On November 5 we have our own New Zealand Condor Sevens Qualification Tournament at Cooks Garden between 4pm and 9pm. In order for teams to qualify they must compete in the qualifying championship. The Wanganui Under-19 squad was full of talent this year and we hope to get a few players representing their college for the last time and reach the Condor sevens finals."

Farrington said Wanganui Collegiate School, Taihape Area School and Wanganui High School had entered the qualifying tournament.

"We expect City College, Rangitikei College and Ruapehu College to enter, while Cullinane is very doubtful because they are focusing on another sevens competition," he said.