Wanganui wild cards impress

Wanganui High School's Vilimoni Koroi was included in the BNZ Condor Sevens tournament team after an excellent run of form at the weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

They were a last minute entry but the Wanganui High School team showed they were not at the national secondary schools BNZ Condor Sevens to make up the numbers at the weekend.

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.

A big honour was afforded to youngster Vilimoni Koroi, who was named in the 12-man tournament team at the end of the event.

"Quote from Vili 'it is true it doesn't happen unless it's happening within the team'," said WHS coach Darryl Malcolm.

"Vilimoni has been one of our top points scorers throughout the season and with the team's success over the six tournaments entered this year, has attracted and encouraged selectors to take interest."

WHS would have been disappointed to drop their first match to old rivals Palmerston North Boys' High School 15-14, but rebounded to beat St Peter's College (Auckland) 26-7, before losing to St Thomas of Canterbury College in their final pool match, 24-5.

In the Bowl competition, WHS lost in the semifinals to St Peter's School (Cambridge), 20-7.

Overall, home team Kelston Boys won the boys' title for the fourth year running with a 19-12 victory over Scot's College.

Hamilton Girls' High took the girls title beating New Plymouth Girls' High 34-5 in their final.

That the Fijian-flyer Koroi was then chosen in the boys' tournament team from a squad that finished in the Bowl playoffs was a testament to his individual performances, given the championship-winning Kelston had four players selected while runners-up Scot's College had three.