First XV final: King's College triumphs over St Kentigern for Auckland rugby title
Either way, King's have trousered the 1A silverware to match similar achievements in 1908, 1909, 1912, 1920, 1927, 1928, 1946, 1948, 1952, 1955, 1956 (unbeaten), 1959, 1963, 1968, 1969, 2005, 2019 – and done so with quite some style.
But to look forward rather than backwards, this final was also a decent warm-up before they host North Harbour champs Westlake Boys' High School – who share a lot of game-style attributes with King's – in the Blues region final on Saturday.
If King's were good value for their win, spare a thought for St Kentigern, who were seeking their seventh title since first winning in 2001. They have not been beaten by anyone other than King's this season – but have now somehow lost three finals on the trot.
In the post player-poaching era in Auckland schoolboy rugby, St Kentigern just can't seem to catch a break.
TJ Anea-Paila, of Kings College, scores a try against Saint Kentigern College in the Auckland Rugby 1st XV 1A Final. Photo / Photosport
And for players such as skipper Sam Jancys, Luka Makata, Riley Grant-Faiva, Brady Tait, Junior Salde, Semisi Langi, Siale Pahulu and Lucian Mikaele this result meant they have frustratingly finished on the losing side in two successive visits to Eden Park.
Pre-match some cynics had framed this contest as 'The Scholarship Final', a mildly surreal showdown between two of the wealthiest boarding schools in New Zealand. One charges Year 13 annual tuition fees of $32,000, while the other had enough loose change this year to buy a $3.7m Coromandel Peninsula coastal farm.
But the bottom line is their investment in rugby provides a useful pathway for players looking to eke out a career, as well as professional posts for coaches. So long-term the code is richer for it.
There was a marked contrast in style for much of an entertaining final. Even in wet, slippery conditions, King's were happy to fling the passes about within their own 22 and have a pop from deep, while St Kentigern generally kept things tight, played to their well-drilled forward pack, and preyed on errors.
Both teams had dominant spells, as the lead changed six times in the first half alone, but ultimately the difference was King's had more players with X-factor and the confidence to play risk-and-reward.
While St Kentigern's big prop Riley Grant-Faiva, a try-scoring machine all season, three times forced his way over the chalk, King's tries were far more compelling as they increasingly found space all over the park.
Lucian Mikaele of Saint Kentigern College makes a break in the the Auckland Rugby 1st XV 1A Final against Kings College. Photo / Photosport
St Kentigern led 7-3 before King's engineered their first try, when hard-working lock Josh McKay broke through in midfield and showed commendable pace to sprint 40m and score.
King's unleashed some electric backline moves to again come from behind, with first five-eighths Marco Miln dinking a clever grubber kick behind the St Kentigern defence and centre TJ Anae-Paila finishing in the corner. Miln brilliantly converted from the sideline.
Left wing Joseph Fatuvalu got in on the act with a further try in the corner in the 27th minute from another crisp backline move, for King's to lead 22-19 at the break.
King's fullback star-in-waiting, Calvin Harris-Tavita, had a relatively quiet game after being such an influence in the round-robin match against St Kentigern and again at semifinal time.
But in the second half Miln, King's co-captain and No 10, became more and more the key figure. It was more like Marco Polo than Marco Miln as he explored uninhabited parts of the St Kentigern defence, and the king of King's ultimately finished with a personal tally of 16 points and two try-assists.
Firstly he jinked through an increasingly ragged St Kentigern defence for a try of his own, then in the 53rd minute again found space to break clear to feed brilliant flanker Johan Schaumkell for a try under the posts and a 36-19 lead.
St Kentigern pulled three points back with Jaydon Randall's second penalty of the day, and then his team scored in the corner right on the full-time hooter. But by then it was all meaningless, with nobody even bothering with a conversion as the celebrations began.
Usually at this point in a final review, you'd seek the thoughts of a respected winning coach. But this is Auckland, where schools still fear monsters, dragons, or something scary out of a Maurice Sendak book, from any interaction with media.
However one of the more interesting grandstand victory chants from the King's faithful was 'Ian, Ian'.
Given there is no Ian in their squad, unless there is an obscure Ian McKellen cult at King's, it's safe to conclude they have a keen appreciation of the work of head rugby coach Ian Robinson, the Irishman having made a huge impression in his second season at the college as well as with his work in the wider Auckland rugby community.
On the LinkedIn networking site on Sunday, Robinson posted the following: 'It takes a lot to understand and believe in a vision. I was lucky enough to pitch my vision to Simon Lamb in 2024. On Saturday we delivered on our vision, in his final year as headmaster at Kings College. It was a privilege to hand over the 1A trophy to a headmaster who puts people at the centre of everything.'
The sight of Eden Park's North Stand being nearly full of followers bursting with colour, passion and in hearty voice would have warmed the hearts of rugby administrators – though they'd mostly all drifted away before kick-off in the Auckland-Taranaki NPC match later in the afternoon.
Since 2013, King's have won 79, lost 48, and drawn five 1A games. They have finished fourth or better seven times during this timespan.
# To cast back a week, when King's made the final thanks to their breathless 32-32 draw against Auckland Grammar, that was the 17th draw in 216 meetings between the storied rivals and the first since a 6-6 tie in 1985. The highest scoring game between the two ended in a 34-32 victory for Grammar in 2020.
King's College: Keneti Fanuatanu, Charlie Burn, Sione Manuopangai, Josh McKay, Jacob Carter, Ethan Ola, Johan Schaumkell, Hemana Connew, D'Angelo Tupou, Marco Miln (co-captain), Joseph Fatuvalu, Sosaia Manu (co-captain), TJ Anae Paila, Spencer Capper, Calvin Harris-Tavita, Christopher Hatch, Tom Boucher, Logan Marsh, Christian Collins, Zion Heiloa Savaka, Ricoh Wilson, Ollie Anderson.
Head coach: Ian Robinson. Assistants: Pita Alatini, Taufa Fifitia, Lynn Hunkin. Managers: Mark McHattie, Kerry Baker. Athletic development: Craig Birkbek. Physio: Sarah Fanuatanu.
Macleans win the 1B title
Macleans College claimed a hotly-contested Auckland 1B title, staging a late charge to win the final 31-28 against Southern Cross Campus.
Victory for Macleans was sweet after last year being cruelly thwarted 27-24 by Tangaroa College in another thriller.
This year they despatched Tangaroa 14-12 in a semifinal nail-biter, but were pushed hard by Southern Cross.
Macleans College celebrate winning the Auckland 1B final. Photo / Bruce Holloway
Macleans led 10-7 at half time but in a see-sawing battle Southern Cross looked to have the edge when a converted try from captain Josaiah Vite gave them a 28-24 lead with eight minutes remaining.
However in the 70th minute Macleans prop Caelan White crashed over to seal a treasured win.
Victory would have been extra special for Macleans team manager and former deputy principal Jim Lonergan, who is marking his 40th year of involvement with rugby at the college.
Macleans College: Caelan White, Eli Davidson, Caylis Hempleman, Katiloka Teaupa, Blake Pritchard, Rikus Botha, Jamie Fisk, Lisiate Taulepa, Jackson Steele (captain), Will Bolton, Arno Vosloo, Trent Martin, Asher Langley, Cayden Pitman, Flynn Healy, Diego Manu, Luke Fomison, Tim De Bruin, Connor Williams, Jake Evans, Tighe Healy, Tyler Marsh.
Coaches: Bevan Packer, Dave Murphy, Dean Sibson. Manager: Jim Lonergan.
Five in a row for Westlake
Watch out King's College. That was the underlying message from over the harbour bridge as Westlake Boys' High School constructed tries of breath-taking quality to clinch their fifth successive Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour championship with a 39-18 grand final win over Whangārei Boys' High School.
The final scoreline in this arm-wrestle, in which Whangārei were chasing their maiden title, didn't reflect how close it was for most of the afternoon, with Westlake only enjoying a margin of comfort in the final five minutes.
In the 14th minute at North Harbour Stadium Whangārei fullback Tametai Wihongi scooped up a loose ball and raced 40m to open the scoring.
It was impressive but much better was to come. Westlake immediately replied in thrilling style as centre Matthew Fleming ran 50m and gave it his best Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) impression with an aerial dive-try in the corner. This try is bound to be set on repeat on social media footage for months to come.
Westlake celebrate their North Harbour title. Photo / Supplied
Westlake's side-stepping blindside Solomone Tu'itupou, later named player of the day, was almost as engaging in wriggling through heavy traffic to give his team a 12-5 lead in the 18th minute
Whangārei left wing Kawana Te Iringa kept his team in touch at 12-10 before Fleming collected a grubber kick from second five-eighths Niko Jelas at pace to earn Westlake a 19-10 half time lead.
In the second half, Josh Mcrae kicked a 40m penalty to narrow the gap,
Westlake then somehow managed to cross the line four times without scoring as they were twice held up and twice knocked-on, but eventually reaped a penalty right in front to Ollie Davies.
In the 52nd minute Whangārei created an overlap for second-five Henare Parangi to run 40m around the outside and again reduce the deficit to four points.
Finally Westlake sub Luke Lemanu made the game safe with a left-foot step and try, while Travis Findlay finished a 70m move under the post. If Findlay impressed, so too did his Whangārei No 8 counterpart, Brock Reid.
In something of a Westlake tradition in finals, skipper and flanker Arlo Leith took the last conversion with time up. And with his mum barely able to watch, he successfully nudged the ball over with his right foot.
There was a crowd of about 2500, with a good chunk of Whangārei fans having made the journey south, complete with banners and placards.
Since Whangārei joined the North Harbour competition in 2016, they have only managed a solitary victory against Westlake. That was a 14-5 triumph in 2019 and Westlake would extract revenge in the final with a 31-12 success.
Both teams were unbeaten at home this season. Westlake have claimed the North Harbour championship title 22 times since 1985. In their last 20 finals, Westlake have lost only twice, and on both occasions, the defeats were to Rosmini College.
There have been eight seasons in which Westlake lost only once during the regular season, and in all but one of those seasons, they went on to become champions.
From 1960 to 1993, Westlake and Whangārei played an annual fixture, and they also met four times in Blues regional finals for the National Top Four. Westlake won all four of those encounters in 2006, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Perhaps the most notable Whangārei Boys' First XV was the 1965 side, which won 19 out of 20 games, with just one draw. That team produced All Blacks Joe Morgan and Peter Sloane, and was coached by the formidable Doug Goodson.
Meanwhile Westlake's 2025 rugby win completed a notable winter double for the school, with their impressive First XI retaining their Auckland premier football title with a 4-0 victory over St Kentigern on Friday night.
Rotorua's big comeback
Rotorua Boys' High School have pulled off one of the great escapes in First XV rugby after coming from 33-5 down away from home to win 34-33 against outgoing national champions Hamilton Boys' High School, in a Chiefs region semifinal thanks to four tries and a penalty in the final 20 minutes.
When Hamilton centre Ollie Guerin scored seven minutes into the second spell to extend Hamilton's lead to 28 points, the result looked a formality. Even heading for stoppage time and trailing by four points, Rotorua were a long shot.
But in essence they did to Hamilton what Palmerston North did to them in the Super 8 final and stole it at the death.
From the base of a ruck, sub Tyler Phillips picked up and found a gap in the defence to charge 10m and score, right in front of travelling Rotoura fans, spakring exhuberant celebrations.
Rotorua Boys' High School perform their haka ahead of their big comeback win over Hamilton Boys' High School. Photo / Supplied
There was time for a restart, from which Hamilton applied their own pressure but with no reward.
Earlier Hamilton had led through tries to skipper Alex Arnold, Caleb Puamau, Noah Walker, and Max Kara.
Other scorers for Rotorua were lock Hunter Weaver, halfback Pep Chisholm, centre Taowaru Waititi and skipper and No 8 Te Ariki Rogers, while Tukotahi Richards-Te Whau added nine points from the boot.
The result will be a delight for Rotorua, now hot favourites to return to National Top Four action for a seventh time, but a major frustration for Hamilton coach Cam Moorby, who faces a big rebuilding task.
The enormity of replacing the redoubtable coaching duo of Nigel Hotham and Greg Kirkham is illustrated by the fact that Hamilton ended 2025 with the most losses they've suffered since the nine they had in 2003. However a 12-6 record, and outscoring opponents 638 points to 341, is far from awful.
The last team to beat Hamilton Boys' twice in the same season was likely Hastings Boys in 2016 who were that year National Top Four runners-up with an 18-1 record.
Rotorua Boys' are 14-3 in 2025, outscoring opponents 588-336 and their comeback ranks among the wildest ever seen in First XV rugby, particularly in such a notable fixture.
Earlier this season Napier Boys' High School came from 24-5 down at half time to beat Hamilton Boys' High.
By way of further comeback comparisons, in 2005, King's College rallied from a 28-9 deficit to defeat Kelston Boys' High in the Auckland 1A final.
And during the 2007 Hurricanes regional playoffs, Gisborne Boys' High School found themselves trailing 17-0 within just 17 minutes against Wellington College, who had won all 21 games up to that point. Remarkably, they fought back to earn a 17-17 draw, allowing them to advance to the National Top Four, which they ultimately won.
In 2014, Hamilton Boys' High achieved a 26-26 draw in the National Top Four final against Scots College after being down 19-0. Scots College themselves overcame a 19-0 deficit in the 2021 Wellington Premiership final against St. Patrick's College Silverstream to secure a tie.
In the 2018 Super 8, Rotorua scored two converted tries in the last two minutes against Hamilton Boys' High but lost 28-27.
Rotorua now face Wesley College – 36-5 winners of Francis Douglas Memorial College – away in the Chiefs region final on Saturday.
Feilding have a field day
These are heady days for rugby in Feilding, population 18,000.
A week on from winning the Central North Island First XV championship, Feilding High School have not only qualified for the Hurricanes regional final, but have also taken custodianship of the Moascar Cup – schoolboy rugby's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield – for the first time after treasured 34-28 away win over rivals and Super 8 champions Palmerston North Boys' High.
The Moascar Cup is the oldest and most prestigious nationwide trophy in First XV rugby, having been contested since 1920, but this is just the third time Feilding have even had the opportunity to challenge for it. (In 2015 they were defeated 27-18 by national co-ed school champions, St Andrew's College, Christchurch and lost 32-12 to Hastings Boys' High in 2004.)
Feilding now host Hastings Boys' High on Saturday in the Hurricanes final, seeking to claim a berth at National Top Four for the second successive year.
For decades near neighbours Feilding and Palmerston North churlishly refused to play each other, so some old heads must be spinning at having now clashed four times in two years, but the current crop of players from both schools relish the opportunity.
In front of a large crowd Feilding scored two tries before halftime to lead 17-14 after Palmerston North had earlier been up 14-3.
Palmerston North were heavily penalised and that gave Feilding a ton of field position, but the home team held out with their dominant scrum and lineout.
Palmerston North opened the scoring again in the second half and it wasn't until deep into the spell that the match turned as a kick went dead in goal and a yellow card was issued for incorrect entry just out from the tryline.
From there Feilding scored three tries, and while Palmerston North clawed one back to get within striking distance, it wasn't enough.
For Feilding there were tries to James Tuituba, Kailan Ellmers, Karnyae Ropiha-WaiWai, Rupeni Raviyawa and Peni Havea while Nixon Foreman kicked three conversions and a penalty.
Feilding's attack revolved around their Fijians, particularly big import Raviyawa at No 8.
After home prop Clark Sutcliffe was yellow carded, Palmerston North scored a late try to get within six, but this time there was no escape.
For Palmerston North the points came from tries to Kisione Ma'asi, Alex Palazzo, Cayden Pardy, Nehemiah Sua and four Jamie Viljoen conversions.
In eight games between the schools since 2004, the ledger is level at four apiece. Feilding have scored 167 points, Palmerston North 172.
Meanwhile Palmerston North end 2025 with a 16-4 record, their best effort since the classy team of 2011 – which featured two All Blacks in Jackson Hemopo and Ngani Laumape – who were 18-2.
However in 2023, Palmerston North did make the National Top Four.
Palmy played with panache in 2025 and highly touted 10 Jamie Viljoen scored 149 points.
Feilding v Palmerston North Games Since 2004:
2004: Fielding, 31-25.
2008: PNBHS, 20-15.
2011: PNBHS, 15-10.
2015: Feilding, 25-15.
2024: PNBHS, 36-22 and Feilding, 15-14.
2025: PNBHS, 19-15 and Fielding, 34-28.
Draw allows Hastings to qualify for Hurricanes final
When St Patrick's College Silverstream first five-eighths Fletcher Cooper converted his own try in the 55th minute of the Hurricanes regional semifinal against Hastings Boys' High School, he surpassed Simon Mannix to become the highest single-season points scorer in the 94-year history of the esteemed Catholic college, which has produced 13 All Blacks, including Mannix himself.
However, this prodigious milestone brought scant consolation to the precocious Year 11 student, who later missed a conversion, a penalty, and a drop goal attempt in the final frantic minutes of the match, as the Wellington Premiership champions failed to break a 20-20 deadlock.
Both sides scored three tries each, but Hastings advances to the Hurricanes regional final based on the fact that they struck first in the match. This marks the second time in four years that Silverstream have been eliminated from National Top Four contention via a draw. In 2022, Napier Boys' High School advanced after a 17-17 draw with them in Palmerston North.
The opening quarter was lively but frustrating for both sets of supporters, with handling errors and resolute tackling quashing scoring prospects.
The crucial first try was scored after 25 minutes by Hastings hooker JJ Lilo-Iosefo, who elegantly extended to catch a bullet-train pass from halfback Teariki-Joseph Maui.
Silverstream pressed inside the Hastings 22 before half time, but an error allowed Hastings to respond with a late try from workhorse lock Eli Southwick, who was immense throughout.
A cleverly executed lineout, reminiscent of the Springboks, unlocked Hastings' defence shortly after the interval. Silverstream secured the ball at the back of the lineout before it was quickly rifled to the front, allowing Osaiasi Manu to dive over the try line.
Hastings' retaliation didn't entail deception; a plough truck with Panapa Peia latched to the back made it 18-8. Tana Faumuina curved the conversion over from the sideline to complement an earlier penalty, and it was suddenly 20-8.
Cooper rallied Silverstream after a sustained assault from the forwards, spearheaded by hooker Rielly Browne and openside Elijah Solomona. Cooper muscled over beside the posts, and his conversion narrowed the gap to 20-15, bringing his season total to 234 points, which includes 11 tries, 77 conversions, eight penalties, and one drop goal. The 1989 record of 233 points by Mannix was eclipsed.
Hastings lost a player to the sinbin in the 61st minute due to their lack of discipline. In the 66th minute, a roaming run by Cooper found open space. He was stopped urgently just inside the 22, but Hastings couldn't prevent second five-eighths Corus Taylor-Lefao from scoring after quick, deft passes from three forwards.
Cooper attempted a conversion from 15m in from the sideline, 20m out, but unexpectedly scuffed his shot. There was still time left for a penalty from halfway that might have challenged Don Clarke.
Following the dropout, fullback William Davis dashed ahead. Cooper had won a cliffhanger against Wellington College with a drop kick on June 12. He could not replicate that success from 35m out, and Hastings breathed a sigh of relief.
Cooper will likely provide plenty more moments to marvel at in the next two seasons, but it's enigmatic Hastings who move on to face Feilding in the Hurricanes regional final.
Hastings' record in 2025 stands at 10 wins, five losses, and a draw, with a total point differential of 497-347. In comparison, Feilding have achieved 14 wins, two losses, and a draw, outscoring opponents 619 to 275.
Remarkably, a Wellington school has not made the National Top Four since Scots College were finalists in 2015, only after squeezing in following a 33-33 draw against Gisborne Boys' High School in a Hurricanes regional play-off fixture.
Southland Boys' High pip Christchurch
There was a smug surprise in the North Island when Southland Boys' High School won the National Top Four in 2023. They were even christened 'The Hillbillies' by some northern media outlets.
But guess what? The Hillbillies are back, the first team to book their ticket for the 2025 National Top Four in Palmerston North, after a pulsating 32-29 South Island final triumph over Christchurch Boys' High School.
Reminiscent of 2023, Southland weren't expected to lower the might of Canterbury. Indeed, unbeaten Christchurch had flogged Southland 45-28 in April, but in the laconic words of talismanic Southland No 10 Jimmy Taylor, 'It's unreal. It keeps getting better.'
A week earlier, Taylor had secured the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools Championship final with a late drop goal to deflate dogged King's High, 27-26.
And in 2023, Taylor's exploits at the same stage of the season and on the national stage propelled Southland to a summit never traversed. He has the chance to conquer First XV Everest again.
In the 63rd minute, a seesaw spectacle was tantalisingly poised when Southland led 25-22 with Christchurch scrambling in retreat.
A hurried, shallow clearance was gobbled up by Jack Brock. The Highlanders U18 fullback spiralled a pass that would have dropped Tom Brady's jaw, to a bursting Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo. The winger remained unconfronted for 20m, and when the Christchurch cavalry arrived, they had no chance. It was spectacular, and Taylor dutifully obliged with a sideline conversion.
Christchurch are quick on the draw. Halfback Hiro Fuchigami turned into former Highlanders hero Fumiaki Tanaka with a 25m surge, and it was 32-29, with the dreaded draw sufficient to advance as they had scored the first try, a Jeff Wilson special from halfway from Hanroux Wessels.
'Thirty seven phases.' That's how many times Taylor reckons Christchurch handled before; at last, they were repelled.
Hobbling to the end were New Zealand Schools prop Presley McHugh and Māori U18 lock Mason Coulthard. McHugh is nursing a knee injury, while Coulthard refused to let a torn quad quell his fire.
The threat of long-range Christchurch retorts was always present. Fullback Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi had reinforced the visitors' early advantage with a 40m gallop after No 8 Sione Manu Telefoni had initially cannoned clear.
With his jinking runs and nifty touches, Taylor helped engineer Southland's first try from 12-3 down.
It was the opening salvo of the second half, however, where Southland showed real steel and efficiency. Tries to grafting lock Jack McKeay and openside Josh Cairns developed a lead, though often tenuous, that wasn't surrendered.
Southland Boys' have not lost at Les George Oval since a club game against Pirates in 2015, when they played in the Dunedin Colts grade.
Calculators couldn't resolve the exact number of games that is before deadline, but it could rival the 62 consecutive games St Bede's College, Christchurch won on Main North Rd, Papanui, from 2007 to 2013.
Disagree with anything here? We welcome alternative viewpoints. Email us at nzschoolboyrugby@gmail.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
18 hours ago
- NZ Herald
First XV final: King's College triumphs over St Kentigern for Auckland rugby title
King's College celebrate winning the 2025 1st XV 1A title after beating Saint Kentigern College at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport Either way, King's have trousered the 1A silverware to match similar achievements in 1908, 1909, 1912, 1920, 1927, 1928, 1946, 1948, 1952, 1955, 1956 (unbeaten), 1959, 1963, 1968, 1969, 2005, 2019 – and done so with quite some style. But to look forward rather than backwards, this final was also a decent warm-up before they host North Harbour champs Westlake Boys' High School – who share a lot of game-style attributes with King's – in the Blues region final on Saturday. If King's were good value for their win, spare a thought for St Kentigern, who were seeking their seventh title since first winning in 2001. They have not been beaten by anyone other than King's this season – but have now somehow lost three finals on the trot. In the post player-poaching era in Auckland schoolboy rugby, St Kentigern just can't seem to catch a break. TJ Anea-Paila, of Kings College, scores a try against Saint Kentigern College in the Auckland Rugby 1st XV 1A Final. Photo / Photosport And for players such as skipper Sam Jancys, Luka Makata, Riley Grant-Faiva, Brady Tait, Junior Salde, Semisi Langi, Siale Pahulu and Lucian Mikaele this result meant they have frustratingly finished on the losing side in two successive visits to Eden Park. Pre-match some cynics had framed this contest as 'The Scholarship Final', a mildly surreal showdown between two of the wealthiest boarding schools in New Zealand. One charges Year 13 annual tuition fees of $32,000, while the other had enough loose change this year to buy a $3.7m Coromandel Peninsula coastal farm. But the bottom line is their investment in rugby provides a useful pathway for players looking to eke out a career, as well as professional posts for coaches. So long-term the code is richer for it. There was a marked contrast in style for much of an entertaining final. Even in wet, slippery conditions, King's were happy to fling the passes about within their own 22 and have a pop from deep, while St Kentigern generally kept things tight, played to their well-drilled forward pack, and preyed on errors. Both teams had dominant spells, as the lead changed six times in the first half alone, but ultimately the difference was King's had more players with X-factor and the confidence to play risk-and-reward. While St Kentigern's big prop Riley Grant-Faiva, a try-scoring machine all season, three times forced his way over the chalk, King's tries were far more compelling as they increasingly found space all over the park. Lucian Mikaele of Saint Kentigern College makes a break in the the Auckland Rugby 1st XV 1A Final against Kings College. Photo / Photosport St Kentigern led 7-3 before King's engineered their first try, when hard-working lock Josh McKay broke through in midfield and showed commendable pace to sprint 40m and score. King's unleashed some electric backline moves to again come from behind, with first five-eighths Marco Miln dinking a clever grubber kick behind the St Kentigern defence and centre TJ Anae-Paila finishing in the corner. Miln brilliantly converted from the sideline. Left wing Joseph Fatuvalu got in on the act with a further try in the corner in the 27th minute from another crisp backline move, for King's to lead 22-19 at the break. King's fullback star-in-waiting, Calvin Harris-Tavita, had a relatively quiet game after being such an influence in the round-robin match against St Kentigern and again at semifinal time. But in the second half Miln, King's co-captain and No 10, became more and more the key figure. It was more like Marco Polo than Marco Miln as he explored uninhabited parts of the St Kentigern defence, and the king of King's ultimately finished with a personal tally of 16 points and two try-assists. Firstly he jinked through an increasingly ragged St Kentigern defence for a try of his own, then in the 53rd minute again found space to break clear to feed brilliant flanker Johan Schaumkell for a try under the posts and a 36-19 lead. St Kentigern pulled three points back with Jaydon Randall's second penalty of the day, and then his team scored in the corner right on the full-time hooter. But by then it was all meaningless, with nobody even bothering with a conversion as the celebrations began. Usually at this point in a final review, you'd seek the thoughts of a respected winning coach. But this is Auckland, where schools still fear monsters, dragons, or something scary out of a Maurice Sendak book, from any interaction with media. However one of the more interesting grandstand victory chants from the King's faithful was 'Ian, Ian'. Given there is no Ian in their squad, unless there is an obscure Ian McKellen cult at King's, it's safe to conclude they have a keen appreciation of the work of head rugby coach Ian Robinson, the Irishman having made a huge impression in his second season at the college as well as with his work in the wider Auckland rugby community. On the LinkedIn networking site on Sunday, Robinson posted the following: 'It takes a lot to understand and believe in a vision. I was lucky enough to pitch my vision to Simon Lamb in 2024. On Saturday we delivered on our vision, in his final year as headmaster at Kings College. It was a privilege to hand over the 1A trophy to a headmaster who puts people at the centre of everything.' The sight of Eden Park's North Stand being nearly full of followers bursting with colour, passion and in hearty voice would have warmed the hearts of rugby administrators – though they'd mostly all drifted away before kick-off in the Auckland-Taranaki NPC match later in the afternoon. Since 2013, King's have won 79, lost 48, and drawn five 1A games. They have finished fourth or better seven times during this timespan. # To cast back a week, when King's made the final thanks to their breathless 32-32 draw against Auckland Grammar, that was the 17th draw in 216 meetings between the storied rivals and the first since a 6-6 tie in 1985. The highest scoring game between the two ended in a 34-32 victory for Grammar in 2020. King's College: Keneti Fanuatanu, Charlie Burn, Sione Manuopangai, Josh McKay, Jacob Carter, Ethan Ola, Johan Schaumkell, Hemana Connew, D'Angelo Tupou, Marco Miln (co-captain), Joseph Fatuvalu, Sosaia Manu (co-captain), TJ Anae Paila, Spencer Capper, Calvin Harris-Tavita, Christopher Hatch, Tom Boucher, Logan Marsh, Christian Collins, Zion Heiloa Savaka, Ricoh Wilson, Ollie Anderson. Head coach: Ian Robinson. Assistants: Pita Alatini, Taufa Fifitia, Lynn Hunkin. Managers: Mark McHattie, Kerry Baker. Athletic development: Craig Birkbek. Physio: Sarah Fanuatanu. Macleans win the 1B title Macleans College claimed a hotly-contested Auckland 1B title, staging a late charge to win the final 31-28 against Southern Cross Campus. Victory for Macleans was sweet after last year being cruelly thwarted 27-24 by Tangaroa College in another thriller. This year they despatched Tangaroa 14-12 in a semifinal nail-biter, but were pushed hard by Southern Cross. Macleans College celebrate winning the Auckland 1B final. Photo / Bruce Holloway Macleans led 10-7 at half time but in a see-sawing battle Southern Cross looked to have the edge when a converted try from captain Josaiah Vite gave them a 28-24 lead with eight minutes remaining. However in the 70th minute Macleans prop Caelan White crashed over to seal a treasured win. Victory would have been extra special for Macleans team manager and former deputy principal Jim Lonergan, who is marking his 40th year of involvement with rugby at the college. Macleans College: Caelan White, Eli Davidson, Caylis Hempleman, Katiloka Teaupa, Blake Pritchard, Rikus Botha, Jamie Fisk, Lisiate Taulepa, Jackson Steele (captain), Will Bolton, Arno Vosloo, Trent Martin, Asher Langley, Cayden Pitman, Flynn Healy, Diego Manu, Luke Fomison, Tim De Bruin, Connor Williams, Jake Evans, Tighe Healy, Tyler Marsh. Coaches: Bevan Packer, Dave Murphy, Dean Sibson. Manager: Jim Lonergan. Five in a row for Westlake Watch out King's College. That was the underlying message from over the harbour bridge as Westlake Boys' High School constructed tries of breath-taking quality to clinch their fifth successive Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour championship with a 39-18 grand final win over Whangārei Boys' High School. The final scoreline in this arm-wrestle, in which Whangārei were chasing their maiden title, didn't reflect how close it was for most of the afternoon, with Westlake only enjoying a margin of comfort in the final five minutes. In the 14th minute at North Harbour Stadium Whangārei fullback Tametai Wihongi scooped up a loose ball and raced 40m to open the scoring. It was impressive but much better was to come. Westlake immediately replied in thrilling style as centre Matthew Fleming ran 50m and gave it his best Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) impression with an aerial dive-try in the corner. This try is bound to be set on repeat on social media footage for months to come. Westlake celebrate their North Harbour title. Photo / Supplied Westlake's side-stepping blindside Solomone Tu'itupou, later named player of the day, was almost as engaging in wriggling through heavy traffic to give his team a 12-5 lead in the 18th minute Whangārei left wing Kawana Te Iringa kept his team in touch at 12-10 before Fleming collected a grubber kick from second five-eighths Niko Jelas at pace to earn Westlake a 19-10 half time lead. In the second half, Josh Mcrae kicked a 40m penalty to narrow the gap, Westlake then somehow managed to cross the line four times without scoring as they were twice held up and twice knocked-on, but eventually reaped a penalty right in front to Ollie Davies. In the 52nd minute Whangārei created an overlap for second-five Henare Parangi to run 40m around the outside and again reduce the deficit to four points. Finally Westlake sub Luke Lemanu made the game safe with a left-foot step and try, while Travis Findlay finished a 70m move under the post. If Findlay impressed, so too did his Whangārei No 8 counterpart, Brock Reid. In something of a Westlake tradition in finals, skipper and flanker Arlo Leith took the last conversion with time up. And with his mum barely able to watch, he successfully nudged the ball over with his right foot. There was a crowd of about 2500, with a good chunk of Whangārei fans having made the journey south, complete with banners and placards. Since Whangārei joined the North Harbour competition in 2016, they have only managed a solitary victory against Westlake. That was a 14-5 triumph in 2019 and Westlake would extract revenge in the final with a 31-12 success. Both teams were unbeaten at home this season. Westlake have claimed the North Harbour championship title 22 times since 1985. In their last 20 finals, Westlake have lost only twice, and on both occasions, the defeats were to Rosmini College. There have been eight seasons in which Westlake lost only once during the regular season, and in all but one of those seasons, they went on to become champions. From 1960 to 1993, Westlake and Whangārei played an annual fixture, and they also met four times in Blues regional finals for the National Top Four. Westlake won all four of those encounters in 2006, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Perhaps the most notable Whangārei Boys' First XV was the 1965 side, which won 19 out of 20 games, with just one draw. That team produced All Blacks Joe Morgan and Peter Sloane, and was coached by the formidable Doug Goodson. Meanwhile Westlake's 2025 rugby win completed a notable winter double for the school, with their impressive First XI retaining their Auckland premier football title with a 4-0 victory over St Kentigern on Friday night. Rotorua's big comeback Rotorua Boys' High School have pulled off one of the great escapes in First XV rugby after coming from 33-5 down away from home to win 34-33 against outgoing national champions Hamilton Boys' High School, in a Chiefs region semifinal thanks to four tries and a penalty in the final 20 minutes. When Hamilton centre Ollie Guerin scored seven minutes into the second spell to extend Hamilton's lead to 28 points, the result looked a formality. Even heading for stoppage time and trailing by four points, Rotorua were a long shot. But in essence they did to Hamilton what Palmerston North did to them in the Super 8 final and stole it at the death. From the base of a ruck, sub Tyler Phillips picked up and found a gap in the defence to charge 10m and score, right in front of travelling Rotoura fans, spakring exhuberant celebrations. Rotorua Boys' High School perform their haka ahead of their big comeback win over Hamilton Boys' High School. Photo / Supplied There was time for a restart, from which Hamilton applied their own pressure but with no reward. Earlier Hamilton had led through tries to skipper Alex Arnold, Caleb Puamau, Noah Walker, and Max Kara. Other scorers for Rotorua were lock Hunter Weaver, halfback Pep Chisholm, centre Taowaru Waititi and skipper and No 8 Te Ariki Rogers, while Tukotahi Richards-Te Whau added nine points from the boot. The result will be a delight for Rotorua, now hot favourites to return to National Top Four action for a seventh time, but a major frustration for Hamilton coach Cam Moorby, who faces a big rebuilding task. The enormity of replacing the redoubtable coaching duo of Nigel Hotham and Greg Kirkham is illustrated by the fact that Hamilton ended 2025 with the most losses they've suffered since the nine they had in 2003. However a 12-6 record, and outscoring opponents 638 points to 341, is far from awful. The last team to beat Hamilton Boys' twice in the same season was likely Hastings Boys in 2016 who were that year National Top Four runners-up with an 18-1 record. Rotorua Boys' are 14-3 in 2025, outscoring opponents 588-336 and their comeback ranks among the wildest ever seen in First XV rugby, particularly in such a notable fixture. Earlier this season Napier Boys' High School came from 24-5 down at half time to beat Hamilton Boys' High. By way of further comeback comparisons, in 2005, King's College rallied from a 28-9 deficit to defeat Kelston Boys' High in the Auckland 1A final. And during the 2007 Hurricanes regional playoffs, Gisborne Boys' High School found themselves trailing 17-0 within just 17 minutes against Wellington College, who had won all 21 games up to that point. Remarkably, they fought back to earn a 17-17 draw, allowing them to advance to the National Top Four, which they ultimately won. In 2014, Hamilton Boys' High achieved a 26-26 draw in the National Top Four final against Scots College after being down 19-0. Scots College themselves overcame a 19-0 deficit in the 2021 Wellington Premiership final against St. Patrick's College Silverstream to secure a tie. In the 2018 Super 8, Rotorua scored two converted tries in the last two minutes against Hamilton Boys' High but lost 28-27. Rotorua now face Wesley College – 36-5 winners of Francis Douglas Memorial College – away in the Chiefs region final on Saturday. Feilding have a field day These are heady days for rugby in Feilding, population 18,000. A week on from winning the Central North Island First XV championship, Feilding High School have not only qualified for the Hurricanes regional final, but have also taken custodianship of the Moascar Cup – schoolboy rugby's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield – for the first time after treasured 34-28 away win over rivals and Super 8 champions Palmerston North Boys' High. The Moascar Cup is the oldest and most prestigious nationwide trophy in First XV rugby, having been contested since 1920, but this is just the third time Feilding have even had the opportunity to challenge for it. (In 2015 they were defeated 27-18 by national co-ed school champions, St Andrew's College, Christchurch and lost 32-12 to Hastings Boys' High in 2004.) Feilding now host Hastings Boys' High on Saturday in the Hurricanes final, seeking to claim a berth at National Top Four for the second successive year. For decades near neighbours Feilding and Palmerston North churlishly refused to play each other, so some old heads must be spinning at having now clashed four times in two years, but the current crop of players from both schools relish the opportunity. In front of a large crowd Feilding scored two tries before halftime to lead 17-14 after Palmerston North had earlier been up 14-3. Palmerston North were heavily penalised and that gave Feilding a ton of field position, but the home team held out with their dominant scrum and lineout. Palmerston North opened the scoring again in the second half and it wasn't until deep into the spell that the match turned as a kick went dead in goal and a yellow card was issued for incorrect entry just out from the tryline. From there Feilding scored three tries, and while Palmerston North clawed one back to get within striking distance, it wasn't enough. For Feilding there were tries to James Tuituba, Kailan Ellmers, Karnyae Ropiha-WaiWai, Rupeni Raviyawa and Peni Havea while Nixon Foreman kicked three conversions and a penalty. Feilding's attack revolved around their Fijians, particularly big import Raviyawa at No 8. After home prop Clark Sutcliffe was yellow carded, Palmerston North scored a late try to get within six, but this time there was no escape. For Palmerston North the points came from tries to Kisione Ma'asi, Alex Palazzo, Cayden Pardy, Nehemiah Sua and four Jamie Viljoen conversions. In eight games between the schools since 2004, the ledger is level at four apiece. Feilding have scored 167 points, Palmerston North 172. Meanwhile Palmerston North end 2025 with a 16-4 record, their best effort since the classy team of 2011 – which featured two All Blacks in Jackson Hemopo and Ngani Laumape – who were 18-2. However in 2023, Palmerston North did make the National Top Four. Palmy played with panache in 2025 and highly touted 10 Jamie Viljoen scored 149 points. Feilding v Palmerston North Games Since 2004: 2004: Fielding, 31-25. 2008: PNBHS, 20-15. 2011: PNBHS, 15-10. 2015: Feilding, 25-15. 2024: PNBHS, 36-22 and Feilding, 15-14. 2025: PNBHS, 19-15 and Fielding, 34-28. Draw allows Hastings to qualify for Hurricanes final When St Patrick's College Silverstream first five-eighths Fletcher Cooper converted his own try in the 55th minute of the Hurricanes regional semifinal against Hastings Boys' High School, he surpassed Simon Mannix to become the highest single-season points scorer in the 94-year history of the esteemed Catholic college, which has produced 13 All Blacks, including Mannix himself. However, this prodigious milestone brought scant consolation to the precocious Year 11 student, who later missed a conversion, a penalty, and a drop goal attempt in the final frantic minutes of the match, as the Wellington Premiership champions failed to break a 20-20 deadlock. Both sides scored three tries each, but Hastings advances to the Hurricanes regional final based on the fact that they struck first in the match. This marks the second time in four years that Silverstream have been eliminated from National Top Four contention via a draw. In 2022, Napier Boys' High School advanced after a 17-17 draw with them in Palmerston North. The opening quarter was lively but frustrating for both sets of supporters, with handling errors and resolute tackling quashing scoring prospects. The crucial first try was scored after 25 minutes by Hastings hooker JJ Lilo-Iosefo, who elegantly extended to catch a bullet-train pass from halfback Teariki-Joseph Maui. Silverstream pressed inside the Hastings 22 before half time, but an error allowed Hastings to respond with a late try from workhorse lock Eli Southwick, who was immense throughout. A cleverly executed lineout, reminiscent of the Springboks, unlocked Hastings' defence shortly after the interval. Silverstream secured the ball at the back of the lineout before it was quickly rifled to the front, allowing Osaiasi Manu to dive over the try line. Hastings' retaliation didn't entail deception; a plough truck with Panapa Peia latched to the back made it 18-8. Tana Faumuina curved the conversion over from the sideline to complement an earlier penalty, and it was suddenly 20-8. Cooper rallied Silverstream after a sustained assault from the forwards, spearheaded by hooker Rielly Browne and openside Elijah Solomona. Cooper muscled over beside the posts, and his conversion narrowed the gap to 20-15, bringing his season total to 234 points, which includes 11 tries, 77 conversions, eight penalties, and one drop goal. The 1989 record of 233 points by Mannix was eclipsed. Hastings lost a player to the sinbin in the 61st minute due to their lack of discipline. In the 66th minute, a roaming run by Cooper found open space. He was stopped urgently just inside the 22, but Hastings couldn't prevent second five-eighths Corus Taylor-Lefao from scoring after quick, deft passes from three forwards. Cooper attempted a conversion from 15m in from the sideline, 20m out, but unexpectedly scuffed his shot. There was still time left for a penalty from halfway that might have challenged Don Clarke. Following the dropout, fullback William Davis dashed ahead. Cooper had won a cliffhanger against Wellington College with a drop kick on June 12. He could not replicate that success from 35m out, and Hastings breathed a sigh of relief. Cooper will likely provide plenty more moments to marvel at in the next two seasons, but it's enigmatic Hastings who move on to face Feilding in the Hurricanes regional final. Hastings' record in 2025 stands at 10 wins, five losses, and a draw, with a total point differential of 497-347. In comparison, Feilding have achieved 14 wins, two losses, and a draw, outscoring opponents 619 to 275. Remarkably, a Wellington school has not made the National Top Four since Scots College were finalists in 2015, only after squeezing in following a 33-33 draw against Gisborne Boys' High School in a Hurricanes regional play-off fixture. Southland Boys' High pip Christchurch There was a smug surprise in the North Island when Southland Boys' High School won the National Top Four in 2023. They were even christened 'The Hillbillies' by some northern media outlets. But guess what? The Hillbillies are back, the first team to book their ticket for the 2025 National Top Four in Palmerston North, after a pulsating 32-29 South Island final triumph over Christchurch Boys' High School. Reminiscent of 2023, Southland weren't expected to lower the might of Canterbury. Indeed, unbeaten Christchurch had flogged Southland 45-28 in April, but in the laconic words of talismanic Southland No 10 Jimmy Taylor, 'It's unreal. It keeps getting better.' A week earlier, Taylor had secured the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools Championship final with a late drop goal to deflate dogged King's High, 27-26. And in 2023, Taylor's exploits at the same stage of the season and on the national stage propelled Southland to a summit never traversed. He has the chance to conquer First XV Everest again. In the 63rd minute, a seesaw spectacle was tantalisingly poised when Southland led 25-22 with Christchurch scrambling in retreat. A hurried, shallow clearance was gobbled up by Jack Brock. The Highlanders U18 fullback spiralled a pass that would have dropped Tom Brady's jaw, to a bursting Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo. The winger remained unconfronted for 20m, and when the Christchurch cavalry arrived, they had no chance. It was spectacular, and Taylor dutifully obliged with a sideline conversion. Christchurch are quick on the draw. Halfback Hiro Fuchigami turned into former Highlanders hero Fumiaki Tanaka with a 25m surge, and it was 32-29, with the dreaded draw sufficient to advance as they had scored the first try, a Jeff Wilson special from halfway from Hanroux Wessels. 'Thirty seven phases.' That's how many times Taylor reckons Christchurch handled before; at last, they were repelled. Hobbling to the end were New Zealand Schools prop Presley McHugh and Māori U18 lock Mason Coulthard. McHugh is nursing a knee injury, while Coulthard refused to let a torn quad quell his fire. The threat of long-range Christchurch retorts was always present. Fullback Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi had reinforced the visitors' early advantage with a 40m gallop after No 8 Sione Manu Telefoni had initially cannoned clear. With his jinking runs and nifty touches, Taylor helped engineer Southland's first try from 12-3 down. It was the opening salvo of the second half, however, where Southland showed real steel and efficiency. Tries to grafting lock Jack McKeay and openside Josh Cairns developed a lead, though often tenuous, that wasn't surrendered. Southland Boys' have not lost at Les George Oval since a club game against Pirates in 2015, when they played in the Dunedin Colts grade. Calculators couldn't resolve the exact number of games that is before deadline, but it could rival the 62 consecutive games St Bede's College, Christchurch won on Main North Rd, Papanui, from 2007 to 2013. Disagree with anything here? We welcome alternative viewpoints. Email us at nzschoolboyrugby@
NZ Herald
11-08-2025
- NZ Herald
First XV wrap: King's clinch final spot in tense 1A semi, Christchurch Boys' High run rampant
In a cauldron of noise, emotion and tension in front of a full house – there were even spectators on the roof of the college's tower block – King's somehow held their nerve when trailing 32-24 with just three minutes remaining. Grammar looked like worthy finalists themselves in turning in surely their best performance of the season, but King's greatest strength was to remain cool under pressure. Firstly, skipper Marco Miln quickly potted a penalty from right in front when given the option. Then, with time up, King's muscled their way forward and for one final time utilised their inventive offloading backline, spinning the ball right for winger Spencer Capper to force his way over in the corner, to sideline delirium. The scores were level. Miln's sideline conversion for the win missed and there was momentary confusion both on the pitch and sidelines until a nod from the officials prompted King's hands to rise in triumph. If there is a sense of justness in the top two round-robin schools making the final, this result was incredibly cruel for Grammar, who dominated large chunks of the contest and, led by reliable lock Logan Platt, established a slight edge in scrums and lineouts and showed plenty of enterprise with their back play. While King's perhaps have more raw talent, Grammar coach Dave Askew has done a fine job in crafting tangible week-on-week improvements with his team during the second half of the season. King's students cheer on their school during the Auckland 1A semifinal against Auckland Grammar. Photo / Josh Lightbourne And Grammar looked good value for a win when they scored 22 minutes into the second spell to reclaim the lead at 29-24. To the naked eye, it seemed like sub Liam Marshall had finished off a critical try after fullback Hadley Herman was inches short, but the match summary filing awarded it to Herman – and the schools never appreciate media inquiries. Either way, Grammar were in control, having enjoyed the luxury of four successive second-half penalties. Then, from a fifth, Herman banked three points to establish a challenging eight-point lead with minutes remaining. But King's have some serious talent in second five-eighths Sosaia Manu, centre TJ Anae Paila and particularly fullback Calvin Harris-Tavita and they all chipped in with little dabs, while wingers Capper and Joseph Fatuvalu on the other flank were also lively, as the top qualifiers ultimately drew level. Earlier, No 8 Hemana Connew gave King's a fourth-minute lead from a lineout maul. But five minutes later, Grammar were level at 7-7 when flanker Jack Lundon answered the call of the wild and forced his way over in the corner. Energetic hooker Santino Naufahu added a converted try for Grammar to snatch a deserved lead at 14-7. King's winger Joseph Fatuvalu breaks through the Grammar line to score. Photo / Josh Lightbourne However, King's crafted two tries within three minutes through some sparkling back play, with Fatuvalu and Anae Paila scoring and Harris-Tavita displaying a catalogue of feints, jinks, steps, dummies and swerves. Just before the break, second five-eighths Nico Stanley crossed to give Grammar a 19-17 halftime lead. King's went back in front after more Harris-Tavita magic gave Fatuvalu his second try but Herman – who kicked beautifully all day – narrowed the Grammar deficit to two points with a penalty to set the stage for the late-afternoon drama. King's fullback Calvin Harris-Tavita celebrates with students at fulltime. Photo / Josh Lightbourne Meanwhile, the St Kentigern-Sacred Heart semifinal also drew a jam-packed crowd, meaning both schoolboy semis totally dwarfed the spartan attendance at the supposedly pre-eminent Canterbury-Auckland NPC match later in the day. St Kentigern started strongly and relentless forward pressure resulted in the first of two tries to imposing prop Riley Grant-Faiva. Sacred levelled at 7-7 with Keanu Simpson scoring after a lineout drive. But St Kentigern regained the lead on the stroke of halftime, creating an overlap for left winger Leofe Usufono to score, while Sacred's prospects were diminished by the early loss of lock Callum Agnew and dangerous openside flanker Etikeni Helu to injury. St Kentigern's forward prowess was again on display early in the second half and after multiple phases within the Sacred 22, they crashed over near the posts. Grant-Faiva was again granted favour as the scorer, for a 21-7 lead. St Kentigern copped a yellow card for offside and from a tap-and-charge, Sacred centre Soane Ma'asi reduced the deficit to nine points, but the visitors could make no further impression. If the loss was disappointing for Sacred, they can reflect on a solid campaign in which they were only beaten once in round-robin play, and they may well be stronger next year. As for the grand final on Saturday (2.30pm), neither St Kentigern nor King's have particularly impressive records there. St Kentigern have a heritage of six wins and seven losses, with their last victory occurring in 2017. King's hold a record of two wins and six losses though, ominously, their most recent triumph against St Kentigern in 2019, where they won 29-22. In that match, Aidan Morgan scored 14 points and went on to win an NPC and Ranfurly Shield title with Wellington before joining Ulster. Centre Meihana Grindlay, who achieved the same success with Taranaki, also scored a try. That season, King's captain was Che Clark, an Auckland and All Blacks Sevens loose forward, who played 55 games for the First XV. King's finished that year with 17 wins out of 20 matches but lost the National Top Four final to Hastings Boys'. On the other side of the ledger, St Kentigern won their first 1A title against King's with a score of 9-3 in 2001. Josh Herron kicked all three penalties in a hard-fought contest on a heavy field, which included three future All Blacks on the St Kent's side in Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa and Jerome Kaino. The following season, St Kent's were demoted to 1B. From 1996 to 2001, St Kentigern won 89 out of 115 games, marking a highly successful era for the school. North Harbour: Whangārei's draw earns grand final berth Defending champions Westlake Boys High School will face Whangārei Boys' High School in the Kyocera First XV grand final at North Harbour Stadium. Whangārei finished level at 17-17 in their home semifinal against Rosmini College on Saturday and advanced courtesy of scoring three tries to two. And that is the exact same scoreline they finished with when they met Westlake in round-robin play back in May. Close matches have been a way of life for Whangārei this season, having beaten Rangitoto College 19-18 a week earlier and battling to a 16-12 victory over Rosmini in July. And coach Paul Leyland called it 'payback' after a two-point loss to Rosmini at the same stage last year. Rosmini led 10-5 at halftime through a converted try to lock Luchian Opperman and a Braden Morley penalty, while No 8 Brock Reid scored for Whangārei. Opperman scored another converted try in the second spell. But that was offset by a try to Whangārei skipper Casey Wright and an even more important one to second five-eighths Henare Parangi, with Josh McRae then converting from in front to tie the game up. Whangārei defended for the final 10 minutes until Reid, having his first full game for three weeks after injury, won a turnover and kicked the ball out. Standouts for Whangārei were skipper Casey Wright at centre and flanker Jordan Young. Leyland described his team's prospects as 50-50 at North Harbour Stadium, though his team may be sweating on some injuries midweek. Meanwhile, Westlake beat Rangitoto College 25-7, but without ever showing their true potential. On a pitch made for running rugby, this was instead an arm-wrestle, with little flair or expansive play on display and most of the match contested within the middle two-thirds of the pitch. Westlake led 6-0 at halftime through two Ollie Davies penalties, but briefly put the hammer down for 10 minutes in the second spell to secure tries to No 8 Travis Findlay and blindside Solomone Tu'itupou, who made a typically barging run at the line from 10m out. Star winger Yisrael Tukania also scored. Rangitoto first five-eighths Joaquin Dechiara took advantage of poor tackling to score a consolation try, but it was too little, too late. Feilding claim third Central North Island title Feilding High School have taken home the Taine Randell Cup for the third time in four years after swamping St Peter's School (Cambridge) 48-12 in the Central North Island (CNI) First XV grand final. It's the biggest blowout in the history of CNI finals, and the Feilding XV dedicated the win to the memory of Jonty Ryan, a Year 10 student and hostel team rugby player at the school who died in an ATV crash on Foxton Beach a week earlier. Ryan's funeral service took place in Feilding at the same time as the final was being contested in Taupō and Feilding rugby media manager Blair Rogers said the team drew strength from that. Rogers also observed how grand finals in the competition tended to historically conspire against teams which had won all their round-robin matches, with St Peter's suffering exactly as Feilding had a year earlier in losing to St John's College (Hamilton). Feilding High celebrate winning the Central North Island title. 'It pays not to win all your round-robins,' Rogers said. 'It's far better to drop at least one match during the season. 'St Peter's are a good team with a fine season behind them but we delivered on the day. It had been an uncomfortable feeling to lose to St Peter's by one point in the round robin and the boys worked hard to rectify that and find areas where we could attack.' Feilding also benefited from having a settled squad with few injuries. 'The school has 10 teams but the CNI is quite a step up so you have to look after the players you have.' Some silky skills helped Flynn Morey slip through and open the scoring for St Peter's, but then Feilding burst into action with four tries in a withering 10-minute spell and led 26-7 at the break. Playing into a strong breeze is old hat for Feilding and they were happy for St Peter's to kick the ball back to them for a lot of the second half. 'Wind doesn't win matches. Tries do.' Try-scorers for Feilding were Aston Scott (2), James Tuituba, Kailan Ellmers, Peni Havea, Tuharakia Wallace-Mcleod and Kingston Manihera-Dankwa, while Nixon Foreman nailed five conversions and a penalty. Since 2020, Feilding have achieved 45 wins, 13 defeats and two draws in the CNI competition. St Peter's have recorded 40 wins, 15 defeats and three draws. The previous most one-sided CNI final occurred in 2021 when St Paul's Collegiate comfortably defeated Whanganui Collegiate 33-10. St Paul's captain Jae Broomfield scored two tries and Malachi Wrampling-Alec, who is now with Waikato and the Chiefs, made a herculean bust from halfway. In other finals matches at Taupō, Lindisfarne College beat Wesley College 69-15 in the playoff for third. In the plate final, St Paul's triumphed 38-27 over St John's (Hamilton) and Francis Douglas Memorial College beat Whanganui Collegiate 37-7. Rotorua Roar to Baywide title Rotorua Boys' High School banished their losing run against Tauranga Boys' College, which stretched back to 2022, with an emphatic 37-0 home whitewash in a Chiefs regional quarter-final. Rotorua summoned all the hurt they could from their heartbreaking Super 8 final defeat and steamrolled the toothless Titans, whose season unravelled after they blew a 19-0 lead to Palmerston North Boys' High School in a Super 8 game on June 20. Unbeaten up until that point, Tauranga dropped four of their next five games and will be disappointed that they were unable to rival the groundbreaking record of 2024. National Top Four champions Hamilton Boys' High School host Rotorua in the Chiefs regional semifinal on Saturday. Rotorua beat Hamilton 34-28 on June 14. The match was effectively over after just 20 minutes, with a belligerent and clinical Rotorua leading 17-0. Their forwards were relentless, with hooker Bronson Van der Heyden a bully. Locks Luke Worsp and Hunter Weaver both scored tries, along with captain and No 8 Te Ariki Rogers, showcasing their unwavering effort. Second five-eighths Hieke McGarvey was a human wrecking ball and fullback Tokoaitua Owen continued his sumptuous form with two tries. Owen has wonderfully light feet and could make walking on eggshells look graceful. In all encounters since both teams became boys' schools, Rotorua lead with 44 victories to Hamilton's 35, with nine draws. Silverstream slay Wellington College to retain Premiership title In bitterly cold conditions at Jerry Collins Stadium, St Patrick's College, Silverstream resoundingly retained their Tranzit Coachlines Premiership title, thumping Wellington College 35-14 in the final. It was 25-0 by halftime, Wellington with the elements in their favour. St Patrick's Silverstream perform the haka ahead of their final against Wellington College. Photo / Photosport Silverstream's triumph was constructed by stifling defence and clinical finishing. Openside flanker Elijah Solomona was Captain Colossal with two tries and belting defence. Equally punishing were Osaiasi Manu, cousin of Silverstream's most recent All Black, Peter Lakai, and flanker Kingston Hill. Silverstream loosehead prop Heath Tuifao, distinctive in his pink headgear like his older brother and Wellington Centurions flanker Connor Tuifao, had a whale of a game and made several robust carries. Manu found Solomona with a lovely pass as Silverstream made a terrific start and the latter burst through to score the opener. St Patrick's Osaiasi Manu is tackled by Wellington College's Harry Baddington. Photo / Photosport Silverstream were held up over the line going for their second try, but a subsequent penalty was kicked by Fletcher Cooper after the goal-line dropout, and it was 8-0 midway through the first half. Solomona made it 15-0 with a furious burst from close range. If Wellington College weren't chasing the game at this juncture, they were soon after when Silverstream hooker Riley Browne scored a third try, following a long build-up and then a tap penalty. Wellington had been attacking vigorously until a significant ruck turnover deflated apparent optimism. Wellington were made of sterner stuff after the interval. Bustling No 8 Z'keus Schwalger and prop Julius Toimata both bustled through to score, and first five-eighths Archie Sims converted to cut the lead to 25-14 midway through the second half. With dribbling to rival Iniesta, Teddy Cooling put the result to bed after a Wellington fumble. St Patrick's Silverstream co-captain William Davis-Lenz tries to evade a tackle by Wellington College's Shea Bosher. Photo / Photosport Since 2017, Silverstream have reached the Premiership final every season, achieving a record of 87 wins, 10 losses and one draw. They have a 13-2 record against Wellington College during this period. Silverstream were unbeaten for 28 consecutive Premiership games between 2017 and 2019 and have won the title outright in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2025. They have also won 18 straight matches since their 27-24 defeat against Wellington on June 12, 2024. On Saturday, Silverstream will host the enigmatic Hastings Boys' High School in the Hurricanes regional semifinals. In 2025, Silverstream have won 14 of 17 games, scoring a total of 847 points. Fletcher Cooper has contributed 224 of those points, with 10 tries, 75 conversions, seven penalties and one dropped goal, on June 12 against Wellington College. The record for the most points in a season at Silverstream is under threat. It currently stands at 233 points, set by future All Black Simon Mannix in 1989, who scored that total through 12 tries, 25 conversions and 45 penalties in 18 games. Hastings notch a big win In deteriorating conditions, Hastings Boys' High School easily accounted for Gisborne Boys' High School 45-14 in their Hurricanes regional quarter-final. The hosts' lineout drive rolled like a locomotive, engineering two tries, including one push that traversed 25m, which explosive blindside flanker Marshall Landon-Lane finished. All three Hastings loose forwards were exceptional, with No 8 Panapa Peia rocketing 40m for a try in which he bamboozled Gisborne's fullback David Gray, who retorted with a stunning chip-and-chase of his own from halfway. Hastings first five-eighths Tana Faumuina ran freely and scored a try, as did centre Truimph Voice. Fullback Gabe Dehar snatched a timely intercept to prevent a certain Gisborne try, dashing 80m before recycling promptly for second five-eighths Panapa Lambert to finish. Hastings had 14 players selected in the Hurricanes Under-18s. They have made five appearances in the National Top Four, winning titles in 2017 and 2019. Palmerston North advance, but only just Palmerston North Boys' High School retained the Moascar Cup and advanced to the Hurricanes regional semifinals with a slender 24-21 victory over Napier Boys' High School. On their tacky field, which lacked the throngs of spectators guzzling tall energy drinks who had cheered Palmerston North to victory in the Super 8 final, the hosts scored four tries to Napier's three, overcoming a 14-12 halftime deficit to secure the win. Napier proved to be frustratingly stubborn opponents for Palmerston North, who appeared somewhat flat and struggled to reach the heights of their previous week's performance. However, there were standout displays from second five-eighths Nehemiah Su'a and loose forwards Alex Palazzo and Kisione Ma'asi. Palazzo, the captain, scored the third maul try, which extended the lead to what turned out to be an insurmountable 24-14. Kisione Ma'asi and Ollie Read stoked the flames of Palmerston North's forward effort, which initially seemed at risk of being dampened by the determined Sky Blues. Notable performances from Napier included hooker Riley Mullany and loose forwards Ollie MacLachlan, Carlo Mienie and Carter Pirie. On Saturday, Palmerston North play the Central North Island champions at Feilding High. Earlier in the season, Palmerston North won a thriller, 19-15. Taylor makes no mistake Jimmy Taylor has done it again. The talismanic first five-eighths for Southland Boys' High School kicked a drop goal in the 69th minute to win the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools championship final against King's High School 27-26 at Les George Oval in Invercargill. Two years ago, while playing fullback for Southland Boys' High School in the National Top Four final against Westlake Boys, Taylor slotted a 45m drop goal that helped crown Southland as New Zealand's best in 2023. On Saturday, Year 12 fullback and Highlanders U18 representative Lafa Tofiga had propelled King's into a 26-24 lead with a 22m penalty in the 68th minute. Tofiga was responsible for 17 of the visitors' points and had the game ended then, he would have been its headline performer. Instead, Taylor restarted for Southland, cunningly chipping the ball towards the sideline where replacement prop Ariki McDonald was unable to handle the swirling oval. From a lineout just outside the 22, Southland strung together 10 exhaustive phases, examining both touchlines. When bear-sized prop Presley McHugh was enveloped urgently in centre field, King's infringed as Taylor retreated. Receiving a chest-high pass 35m out, Taylor quickly snapped a kick with his educated right boot and the trajectory was as straight as Simon Culhane, who actually went to Aurora College. King's rolled a seven at the kickoff. Stoic No 8 Jaziah Smith intervened with a soaring leap, two hands well above the pack. An NBL Shark in waiting? Fittingly, Taylor ended it with a clearance to touch. When he scored his famous 2023 droppie, Taylor told Rugby News that the most rewarding or unusual thing that happened afterwards was 'properly seeing the Mayor of Invercargill'. Perhaps Nobby Clarke doesn't advocate for 16-year-olds getting the vote. With two brothers, Harry and Jack Taylor, in the NPC, Jimmy Taylor will certainly capture attention from leading unions nationwide with another iconic clutch moment. Southland have now won 28 consecutive games in the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools championship and boast a 34-3 record since 2023. But they certainly had to work hard to keep King's without a title since 2017. Tofiga showcased his potency early with two successful penalties from 45m. However, it was Southland who scored the first two tries. Combative hooker Luka Salesa rumbled over from a rolling maul, followed by openside Josh Cairns, who was unstoppable from close range. Behind 12-6, King's were imperious in the last dozen minutes of the first half. In the 28th minute, sustained pressure allowed Tofiga to barrel over in the corner, thanks to quick distribution from halfback Jaxon Moeahu. Cruelly, Tofiga's conversion attempt kissed the posts and ultimately missed. Four minutes later, Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu fended off his grappling opponent with utter disdain and made a beeline for the same corner. The second five-eighths proved to be a powerhouse, often puncturing the blue wall. Taylor struck first after the interval, employing both agility and brawn to reclaim the lead. He swerved around one tackler and, short-armed, palmed off two others. In the 45th minute, Highlanders U18 representative Jack McKeay buried his head and javelined through congestion, with Taylor converting to give Southland their largest lead of the match at 24-16. King's rallied back and a clever pass from Tuhega-Vaitupu created space for Jake Hill, who put Tofiga in a position to score his second try, narrowing the gap to 24-23. With 10 minutes remaining, Tofiga attempted an ambitious penalty kick from near the halfway line. He missed. But Brian McKechnie likely would have, too. Highlanders U18 representatives Henry Hunter and Max Miller were both bullish; Miller stampeding down the wing in the 65th minute, only halted by a heroic defensive rearguard from diminutive halfback Koen Rarere. Just three minutes later, with a penalty advantage, the elusive Tuhega-Vaitupu narrowly missed connecting with Tofiga as the tryline beckoned. In the dramatic climax, Taylor emulated Finn Hurley's 2021 artistry, securing the silverware with a drop kick from far out. 'It was the only option and they didn't bring much heat, to be fair, so I had a lot of time,' Taylor told the Southland Turbine. 'We had to earn it today; it was a tough final, probably the toughest one I've had yet.' In 2025, Southland conquered King's three times. On Saturday, they will host Christchurch Boys' High School, with a place in an 11th National Top Four at stake. Christchurch thrashed Southland 45-28 in April but lost to them in their last South Island final appearance, going down 29-28 in Invercargill. In that match, Taylor kicked a sideline conversion to win the game, preventing Christchurch from attending their eighth National Top Four. Christchurch Boys' High run rampant Christchurch Boys' High School have chalked up one of the more comprehensive Miles Toyota Premiership grand final wins with a thumping 52-0 dismissal of rivals Christ's College. It was a day for the forwards in hopelessly muddy conditions and five of Christchurch's eight tries came from the pack. Mac Chaplin, Hiro Fuchigami, A.J. Francis Afolaufou, Jonty Leary, Vili Finau, Sione Manu Telefoni, Sam Dunnett, Frano Chaplin and Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi all contributed to the scoreboard. Wingers Harnoux Wessels and Cam Jones combined to successfully convert five tries, putting Christchurch comfortably ahead 24-0 at the break. By the second half, it was impossible to identify most of the mud-splattered players, but such was their dominance, Christchurch even scored twice when down to 14 men for 10 minutes after a yellow card to bustling midfielder Francis Afolaufou. And they still completed a shut-out, despite losing replacement forward Vili Finau to a late red card. Christchurch's season record was 10 wins and one draw. They scored a total of 530 points and only conceded 233. By contrast, inconsistent Christ's finished with a record of six wins and six losses, scoring 374 points but conceding 407. However, this was not the largest victory that Christchurch have ever achieved over Christ's. That was an astounding 80-0 in 2015, when future All Black Will Jordan scored four tries and Josh McKay – later to play 50 games for Canterbury and win a United Rugby Championship with Glasgow Warriors – contributed 35 points. The only other occasion when Christchurch Boys' achieved a half-century in a final was in 2005 at Lancaster Park, where they decisively defeated Nelson College 51-17. The winners' tries were scored by Tim Jones (2), Matt Todd, Michael Coom, Ryan McLeod, Andrew Horrell and Colin Slade, who added four conversions and two penalties. Christchurch finished that season as national champions with an imposing 24-0 record. Todd and Slade later became All Blacks, while Horrell won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs and now coaches the Lindisfarne College First XV. In other matches, Marlborough Boys' College beat Nelson College 31-21 to claim third. St Bede's College beat Rangiora High School 50-7 and Shirley Boys' High School edged out Selwyn Combined 26-24. Disagree with anything here? We welcome alternative viewpoints. Email us at nzschoolboyrugby@
Otago Daily Times
10-08-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Taylor delivers late as Southland Boys' claim title
Southland Boys' captain Jimmy Taylor lifts the Southern Schools Rugby Championship trophy after defending their title at Les George Oval on Saturday. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD Jimmy Taylor is made for pressure situations. The Southland Boys' captain came up with a clutch drop goal in the dying seconds of their final against King's to snatch a 27-26 victory to win the Southern Schools Rugby Championship final at Les George Oval on Saturday. With 10 minutes left on the clock, King's were down 24-23 and were hot on attack in Southland Boys' danger zone, recycling the ball to push their case forward. They finally got a break when Southland Boys' were pinged in front of the post and King's fullback Lafa Tofiga — who was outstanding with a haul of 21 points — stepped up and slotted it straight through. It nudged King's ahead 26-24 with less than one minute to play — but Taylor turned to his troops and told them the plan. They executed to perfection. After several carries, first five Taylor sat back in the pocket and banged over the game-winning drop goal. He raced back to the halfway mark throwing his hands in the air, and after King's restarted, Taylor booted the ball into touch to secure the victory, a third straight crown for his school. Southland Boys' coach Jason Dermody acknowledged his team did not play their best rugby, but he was delighted with their nerve in the final moments. "Jimmy said 'we've still got time' and I said 'let's get down there, get the ball and let's see if we can get an opportunity', which we did — and then he did the rest," Dermody said. "He's just a high-quality individual that's got a lot of rugby in front of him. "Just loves those pressure situations, but he practices hard and works hard for those situations. It's no fluke that he does what he does." Dermody praised King's for their performance throughout the season and said the final "could've gone either way". "They were obviously gutted after the game, but the work that they put in this year, they're going from strength to strength so you can't take it away from them. "They could've won that game. Huge respect for them." Tofiga banged a over a penalty in the opening two minutes to give King's the lead. Southland Boys' hooker Luka Salesa scored from a solid rolling maul to bounce back and Tofiga nailed another penalty for the visitors. Josh Cairns scored for Southland Boys' and the home side held a 12-6 lead. But Tofiga scored in the corner after a brilliant build-up and second five Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu scored in a similar spot to give King's a 16-12 lead at halftime. Taylor shimmied out of two tackles to score to give Southland Boys' the lead again. They extended that to 24-16 until King's found another gear and fought hard to close the gap and give themselves every chance to win. Christchurch Boys' thumped Christ's College 52-0 in atrocious conditions in the Crusaders secondary schools final. They led 24-0 at halftime and demolished their rivals with an eight-try haul. Southland Boys' will now host Christchurch Boys' in the South Island final at Les George Oval this Saturday. In the Southern Schools division two final, Southland Boys' 2nds edged Waitaki Boys' 24-20. South Otago beat Mt Aspiring 31-17 to win the division three crown, and Central Southland beat King's 2nds 26-17 in the division four final. Southern Schools final The scores Southland Boys' 27 Jimmy Taylor, Luka Salesa, Josh Cairns, Jack McKeay tries; Taylor 2 con. King's 26 Lafa Tofiga 2, Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu tries; Tofiga con, 3 pen. Halftime: King's 16-12.
