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NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
First XV rugby: Palmerston North dominate Super 8 with win over St John's
Bruce Holloway and Adam Julian First XV wrap: Palmerston North show their class; Rathkeale roar to life in Wellington; Christ's College upset Nelson; Kieran Col reflects on attitude, culture and Crusaders' young guns; Otago Boys' High benefactor Des Smith set to be honoured; all the action nationwide... Palmerston North Boys' have shown why they are leading the Super 8 First XV championship with a seamless 34-0 mid-term breakaway victory over defending Central North Island rugby champions St John's College (Hamilton).
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Co-ed school principals fight ‘deeply unethical' boys school-only rugby competition
Christ's College and Christchurch Boys' High - two of the boys' schools angling for their own breakaway rugby competition in the South Island - have a fierce rivalry Photo: PHOTOSPORT A group of South Island principals is rallying against what it claims are "discriminatory and unlawful" plans for a breakaway first XV rugby competition played exclusively among boys' schools. A collective of South Island boys' schools last month confirmed talks were under way to launch a new first XV competition as part of wider collaborative efforts to improve educational outcomes for young men. The new competition would include up to eight boys schools across Canterbury and Tasman, and five schools in Otago and Southland. The move has been met with widespread concern from leaders of co-educational schools in those regions, who fear the "devastating" impact on their school communities if top-flight rugby was restricted to a select group of schools. A highly-organised resistance began in earnest on Wednesday, when a letter signed by principals of more than 40 schools was sent to the South Island provincial rugby unions and NZ Rugby urging the sport's leaders to act. RNZ understands a separate, individual complaint has also been laid with the Sport Integrity Commission. The letter to the rugby bodies called on officials to step in and "help intervene in what would become a highly destructive competition" for both the sport, the wider education system and young people. "Excluding boys in co-educational schools from top-level rugby against boys-only schools would undermine the inclusivity, competitiveness, and health of school rugby, harming the sport's future and the well-being of its players," the letter states. The letter also raised concerns that the proposal "is driven by the desire to attract the best athletes to the boys' schools for their own success", creating an "arms race where schools aggressively recruit top players". One of the signatories to the letter, Darfield High School principal Andy England, said he believed the proposal was "unjustified and discriminatory". "I think this move, if it was to happen, would be deeply unethical, potentially in breach of human rights, and the education and training act. Which are strong words to say, and I get that. But I'm saying them," England told RNZ. Asked if the schools would consider laying a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or the Ministry of Education, England responded: "Yes." "At the end of the day, it just seems deeply unfair that boys who go to school with girls are excluded from playing the sport at the level that suits them. How can that be right under the Human Rights Act or under the Education and Training Act?" The Education and Training Act 2020 requires schools to ensure a safe and inclusive environment and to eliminate discrimination, which extends to sports participation. England said his main frustration was that there had been "very limited communication from the boys' schools" about why they wanted to form a breakaway competition and how it would work. Rugby officials needed to show leadership and get all the schools around the table "in a reasonably assertive way", so they can work on a solution together. "I think we're all looking for some guidance from [the] rugby union. My specialty isn't rugby at all, but I can't see how this could be good for rugby. It's inevitable that some rugby talent will be lost through this if this goes ahead," he said. "It also puts rugby development at the top level into the hands of the boys schools only, and how can that be healthy?" St Thomas of Canterbury College principal Steve Hart Photo: Supplied The letter claims the collective of boys' schools plan to launch the new competition for 2026 on 1 August. However, two principals involved told RNZ there are no firm plans or commitments in place. Steve Hart, principal of St Thomas of Canterbury College, said he was aware of opposition to the proposed new competition, but he did not think it was appropriate to address those criticisms through the media. "Until there is something concrete to discuss, I don't know how healthy the back and forward actually is," he said. "Probably for me I think there's been an over-focus on rugby here, that's actually a tiny bit of what we're trying to do. It probably sums up New Zealand a wee bit in that we focus too much on rugby and people are missing the point on what the actual vision here is." Hart referred RNZ to the statement provided to media at the time the plans for the breakaway competition were first raised, which noted the collective's aims of "exploring initiatives that include the arts, culture, sport and professional learning - designed to foster connection, belonging and pride among our young men." Canterbury Rugby chief executive Tony Smail said his organisation shared some of the concerns of the co-ed schools about the proposed competition. "The unintended and intended consequences of a standalone competition among boys' schools needs to be talked about. There is genuine concern that pathways are being closed for other rugby playing participants out there," he said. "You'll have player movement out of the schools that aren't in the competition into the schools that are, and the flow on effect of that is huge. If you have one or two strong players from one school decide to leave, the risk is that their peers that are left at that school will give up, because they were staying in the game to play with their mates." While the union sits on the governance group of the current first XV competition, which involves schools in the Crusaders' catchment area, it is not in charge of running schoolboy rugby. However, Smail acknowledged Canterbury Rugby has a duty to work through the issues with all schools. He said he hopes to get the principals together in the coming weeks. "We'd obviously love to find a way to break through and understand what those problem areas are that require the boys' schools to head off and see if there's another alternative that we can explore together," said Smail. "What we've had among the schools are some pretty brave conversations at times, and I think this is another example where we have to get together, hear out all sides and see if there's another way through." NZ Rugby's general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster said while the national body does not control the governance or delivery of the secondary school competitions, it does have an interest in the potential implications the proposed breakaway competition may have on "participation, equity and the schools that are excluded". "We know many stakeholders look to NZR for resolution of such issues; however, we do not have authority over school competitions that are organised outside of Provincial Union administration. That said, we remain committed to advocating for inclusive, competitive, and accessible rugby pathways for all young people, regardless of the type of school they attend." A spokesperson for the Sport Integrity Commission said the organisation could not confirm the existence or otherwise of any complaints before the organisation.
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Christ's College v CBHS: Historic rivalry still going strong after 133 years
CBHS centre William Brown heads for the try line. PHOTO: THOMAS BIRD No schoolboy rugby rivalry in Canterbury compares to the storied clash between Christchurch Boys' High School and Christ's College. The two schools first met on the rugby field in 1892. On Tuesday, they will face off for the 140th time in round four of the Miles Toyota Premiership (1pm). Boys' High has historically dominated with 87 wins to Christ's College's 43. Nine matches have ended in a draw. 'For our lads, it's one of those games they look forward to from when they start school in year 9 and 10,' said Christ's College head coach Sam Broomhall. 'For some of them it might be the biggest game they play in their rugby careers.' This year's match will be played at Christ's College for the first time since 2020 after resurfacing work was completed on its upper field. Broomhall said he expected a typically buoyant crowd. 'The atmosphere and the environment that this game creates is quite unique and special. 'It's an amazing job they did with the field there and the facilities. 'It's a bit of a cauldron, a real sort of coliseum arena in there, so it's a great place to play and watch a game of rugby.' Christ's College has had a slow start to the season, managing just one win from three outings – a 38-37 thriller against Rangiora High – bookended by close losses to St Thomas' and Selwyn Schools. In contrast, Boys' High is unbeaten and riding the high of knocking over defending champions Nelson College 58-31 on Saturday, a win that also saw them claim the Trust Bank Cup. 'We're really looking forward to it,' said Boys' High head coach Pete Chaplin on Tuesday's match. 'It means a lot. It's a big day for both schools and their communities.' Chaplin said with all the hype and attention on the game he would need to keep his charges focused on the task at hand. 'We're just going out and playing another game of rugby, doing the little things right. 'It's a good challenge for young sportsmen to be in an environment that has added pressure they might not get on a normal weekend game.' Round four's other matches see Nelson College and Marlborough Boys' College face off this afternoon, with St Andrew's playing Selwyn Schools tomorrow night. St Bede's hosts St Thomas on Saturday and Rangiora High visits Shirley Boys' on Monday. Miles Toyota Premiership points Marlborough BC 15; CBHS 15; Nelson 11; St Thomas 11; St Bede's 11; Christ's 9; Selwyn 9; Rangiora 2; St Andrew's 1; Shirley BHS 1 School v College past matches 2024 SF: CBHS 24 Christ's 15 2024: CBHS 34 Christ's 25 2023: CBHS 37 Christ's 3 2022: CBHS 47 Christ's 33 2021: Christ's 35 CBHS 34
Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Late try seals historic win for Selwyn
Selwyn Schools first-five Ryder Allin forces his way over the line for the winning try. PHOTO: ROO HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY Selwyn Schools are riding high in the Miles Toyota Premiership after a historic 35-33 win over Christ's College on Saturday – their first ever victory over the celebrated rugby school since Selwyn's combined team was formed in 2017. The win came down to the wire, with first-five Ryder Allin scoring a try in the final minute and then calmly converting it from in front to seal the two-point victory. Selwyn now sit seventh on the ladder, just two points outside the top four. 'It was awesome, I'm really stoked for the boys,' said head coach Sid Tauamiti. 'They certainly enjoyed it, and deserved it.' Despite the result, Tauamiti said there was still work to do. 'We had less 50% of our own lineout ball, we turned the ball over about 17 times. We didn't do ourselves a lot of favours in areas where we needed to be accurate. 'But we still found a way to stay with Christ's College on the scoreboard and then, obviously, at times get ahead of them. We did that when it counted.' Allin proved to be a handful for the Christ's College defence. PHOTO: ROO HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY Selwyn next face St Andrew's College at Ngā Puna Wai on Friday night. A win would temporarily move them into the top four, although that could change with other matches scheduled for Saturday and Tuesday. St Andrew's are winless in ninth place, but Tauamiti rubbished any idea of his side being favourites for the clash. 'I don't think Selwyn Schools would be considered favourites for many of our games to be fair,' he said. 'They (St Andrew's) may not have had the results, but they put up a fairly good show against (Christchurch) Boys' High, who are one of the frontrunners for the competition. 'They look really well organised, so we'll have to step up again.' Miles Toyota Premiership round 4 (6.30pm Fri) St Andrew's College v Selwyn Schools, Ngā Puna Wai Points Marlborough BC 15; CBHS 15; Nelson College 11; St Thomas 11; St Bede's 11; Christ's College 9; Selwyn 9; Rangiora 2; St Andrew's 1; Shirley BHS 1
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Schools pitch plan for breakaway first XV comp
Bishop Neal streaks away to score for St Thomas of Canterbury College. PHOTO: BRENDAN BIGGS The schoolboy rugby scene in Canterbury could be in for a major shake-up. Boys' schools across the South Island are proposing a new first XV competition that would bring together teams from the Crusaders' Miles Toyota Premiership and the Highlanders' Southern Schools Rugby Championship. However, under the current proposal, co-educational schools such as St Andrew's College, Rangiora High School and the combined Selwyn Schools team would be excluded. In a statement to The Star, the South Island Boys' School Principals stressed that no final decisions had been made. 'These ideas are still in development, and we are working carefully to ensure they reflect the values, needs, and aspirations of all our school communities.' The principals also said the collaboration will not be limited to sport – they are 'exploring initiatives that include the arts, culture, sport, and professional learning,' and that 'a structured first XV rugby competition is one of several proposals under consideration'. Current boys' schools in the top grade include Christchurch Boys' High School, Christ's College, St Thomas of Canterbury College, St Bede's College, and Shirley Boys' High School. They're joined by Nelson College and Marlborough Boys' College from Tasman, and Southland Boys', King's High, Otago Boys', and John McGlashan College further south. Dunstan High School is the only co-ed school currently competing in the top tier. In recent results, Selwyn Schools upset St Bede's 18-12 at Rolleston College, while promoted Rangiora High nearly toppled Christ's College in a narrow 38-37 loss. Christchurch Boys' beat St Andrew's 33-17, Shirley Boys' lost 47-8 to Marlborough, and St Thomas fell 41-26 to Nelson. This weekend, Christchurch Boys' and Nelson meet in a rematch of last year's final, won by Nelson, while St Andrew's take on table-toppers Marlborough. Selwyn hosts Christ's College at Lincoln High School while Shirley Boys' play St Thomas' and St Bede's are away to Rangiora. Miles Toyota Premiership points Marlborough 10; Nelson 10; Chch BHS 10; Christ's 7; St Bede's 6; St Thomas 6; Selwyn 4; Rangiora 2; St Andrew's 1; Shirley BHS 0
