Tauranga Boys’ shine in Super 8 rugby defence despite red card - Bruce Holloway and Adam Julian

After finishing a modest fifth for the past three years, St Peter’s have made light of a brutal early 2025 season draw by tucking away Wesley College, Whanganui Collegiate, Feilding High and now St Paul’s (Hamilton) 19-14.

St Peter’s coach Carl Perry acknowledged the victory over St Paul’s was not their best performance of the season – they faded at the end – but they were delighted to win back the Jed Rowlands Cup against an old foe.

Two weeks earlier they relieved Whanganui Collegiate of the league-wide Rick T Francis Shield.

There’s a whiff of Hogwarts about St Peter’s, a private, co-educational Anglican school located on 40ha, surrounded by school-owned farmland alongside the Waikato River, and with its 89-year-old main edifice resembling a large English country home.

And there are also a few budding rugby wizards there who could be cast as Harry Potter.

St Peter’s are built around a solid group of players who have come together in recent years, but at the core of their current success lies a trio of skilful backs in first five-eighths Alapati Tusa Soagia, skipper Izzy Kamana at second five-eighths, and Flynn Morey at centre. And they all scored key tries against St Paul’s.

There are scouts further up the rugby hierarchy who are already privately talking of Morey as being a young Will Jordan, given his speed, athleticism, and rugby IQ.

Morey has the ability to also play wing or fullback – but is also in high demand in cricketing circles, where he has made his mark with Northern Districts U19s.

“He is an absolute athlete and has a good eye for the game,” Perry said.

Kamana finished top equal in the championship’s MVP last year and is sitting in the top five again this season, while Tusa Soagia is the school’s head boy and was a member of the Warriors U17s who won the 2025 Harold Matthews Cup.

St Paul’s grabbed an early lead, but St Peter’s got the upper hand once they showed a little more patience with their phases, and Morey soon sliced through for their opening try.

Tries to Kamana and Tusa Soagia followed, with Tusa Soagia adding two conversions, while St Paul’s tightened the scoreline up with a late try.

For St Paul’s prop Chris Kahotea earned his 20th cap, a fine achievement for a Year 12 front rower.

St Peter’s next host eighth-placed Francis Douglas Memorial College on Saturday, but Perry is not getting carried away with thoughts of a title win.

“We are not the finished product and are not looking too far ahead,” Perry said. “There is a new team standing in our path every week.”

In other North Island results, fellow joint-leaders Lindisfarne College beat St John’s Hastings 65-5 and Wesley College edged St John’s Hamilton 26-22.

Central North Island points: Lindisfarne 19, St Peter’s 19, Feilding 12, Wanganui Collegiate 10, Wesley 8, St John’s Hamilton 6, St Paul’s 5, Francis Douglas 1, St John’s Hastings 0.

Scots College’s unprecedented default

The biggest headline in the second round of the Wellington Premiership wasn’t written on the field – but rather by a no-show.

Scots College, five-time premiership champions since 2014 and semi-finalists just last season, defaulted their eagerly anticipated fixture against Wellington College.

The default – with eight full rounds still scheduled – is more than just unprecedented for a school of Scots’ standing. For a college that were national champions in 2014, it is alarming.

Despite attempts to clarify the situation, emails to both College Sport Wellington (CSW) and Scots College headmaster Graeme Yule went unanswered. Silence breeds speculation, and in this case, fair concern.

It’s understood Scots only had 21 players in their opening-round victory against Tawa College with front-row depth a particular concern.

This is not a new issue. In 2023, Scots were disqualified from the Hurricanes regional semi-final against Feilding High School after the game went to uncontested scrums early due to a front-row shortage.

That decision was overturned, but Scots then defaulted the regional final against Palmerston North Boys’ High – again, citing a lack of front-row players.

It’s a similar story this year. On May 21, Scots were thumped 97-7 by Napier Boys’ High. The second half was played with uncontested scrums.

Earlier, St Patrick’s College (Town) cruised to an 80-22 win, again in a “golden oldies” match. Scots are scheduled to play St Pat’s Town this Saturday. Whether that game proceeds is now in question.

The cyclical nature of school rugby is well accepted. But for a programme that once chased national glory to be unable to field a team in round two – while better-resourced than most – is startling.

Scots employ a fulltime rugby director, a position tasked with “strengthening the pipeline” and “boosting participation”.

Yet their Second XV is in Premier 5, and recently lost to St Bernard’s 3rd XV. Their U15s were beaten 36-22 by Town’s A team. On May 24, Scots fielded three open-weight teams. Only the First XV recorded a win.

In 2023, Scots’ Second XV ranked 35th out of 38 in Wellington open-weight rugby. Their U15s couldn’t win Division 2. That sort of development-level fragility usually foretells senior team struggles.

Has Scots’ change to a co-education status affected rugby funding? A rugby director remains in place. Have cuts been made to other areas?

Scots doesn’t produce the sheer number of players the two St Pat’s and Wellington College do. Has the change in the “new-to-school” rule had a greater effect on Scots than others? The number of new-to-school players permitted was reduced from four to three.

Should Scots drop to Premier 2? Teams are allowed to ask to be relegated to a different grade for all CSW sports.

There were 44 boys without a game on Saturday. Wellington College were instead automatic 28-0 victors with five championship points awarded. Can Scots find a solution to avoid that sad situation again?

* Hutt International Boys’ School (HIBS) defaulted once in 2024 to St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. HIBS have never won the Wellington Premiership. With just 28 open-weight players and four injured front rowers, HIBS’s only other choice was to field Year 9s and 10s for the round-five fixture against the eventual champions.

They were open and transparent about the reasons for their default and had no rugby director to find a solution. After their default HIBS lost three games, two by less than a converted try, and won a ninth-place playoff.

Wellington Premiership Results Round 2: St Patrick’s College, Silverstream 60 Rathkeale College 0; St Pat’s Town 45 Wairarapa College 10; HIBS 24 Rongotai College 18; Tawa College 34 St Bernard’s College 20.

Wellington points: Silverstream 10, HIBS 10, Wellington 9, Tawa 7, St Pat’s Town 6, Rathkeale 5, Scots 5, Rongotai 1, St Bernards 0, Wairarapa 0.

Super 8: Tauranga’s masterclass

Tauranga Boys’ College’s defence of their Super 8 title has started with a masterclass in crisis management. At home, Rotorua Boys’ High School were silenced 29-14 despite the visitors being reduced to 14 players for nearly an hour.

While Rotorua enjoyed a wealth of possession, their attack became stagnant as the “Titans” expertly syringed tension from proceedings with steadfast tackling, clinical counters, and shrewd tactical nous.

In the 21st minute, homuncular Rotorua halfback Te Irimana Hatu-Edmonds-Huriwai was hoisted and speared head-first into the ground by mammoth No 8 Seremaia Salikikoro.

There could be no complaints about the red-card sanction, only relief that the turf was soft after two days of persistent rain.

Salikikoro’s sending off and an arduous tussle against the second-half wind should have been the ingredients for a struggle. Instead, Tauranga never looked like losing.

The closest it got was 15-7. In the 45th minute, Rotorua rumbled over from an unimaginative lineout thrust with lock Hunter Weaver the scorer.

Rotorua were already behind 10-0 when Salikikoro was dismissed. In the grasp of two defenders, fullback Tommy “Ethereal” McQuoid kicked 50m as “Raukura” scrambled to concede a lineout.

From the catch and dispatch, centre Ethan Mcmanemin scored an alarmingly soft try running off the left shoulder of first five-eighths Ivan Ward, who added a conversion and a penalty.

Hooker Bronson van der Heyden, openside Jake Hutchings, and No 8 Te Ariki Rogers kept charging for Rotorua. But Tauranga repelled them every time – Rotorua lacked a McQuoid-like creator.

In the 27th minute, Malachi Emmett was set up by McQuoid, who secured the four-try bonus point four minutes from time when the sprightly Emmett, who scored again nine minutes earlier, turned provider.

Flankers Cooper Spratley and Jay McQuoid revelled in the defensive slogs. Is tighthead prop Ioapo Kupitia bigger than the new council building on Tauranga’s Devonport Road?

Tauranga haven’t lost to Rotorua since 2022, their best run of results since winning nine on the trot between 1970 and 1978. In all matches since both became boys’ schools, Rotorua lead 43 victories to 35 with nine draws.

Gisborne Boys’ High School showed similar attrition, undermanned, to edge Napier Boys’ High School 13-7 at the Rectory.

In the 29th minute, Gisborne fullback Kahurangi Leach-Waihi was given his marching orders for a tackle around the throat of Will O’Rourke. Wrong-footed by the sprinting Napier centre, Leach-Waihi clotheslined O’Rourke, which triggered a brief melee and a moment of complete insanity from a spectator.

A gentleman in a black hoodie ran onto the field and assaulted a Napier player from behind. Thankfully, the intruder did no damage and was swiftly removed. Subsequently Whakaata Māori appear to have now removed their full live match broadcast of the match.

Galvanised by their hostile home crowd, Gisborne’s defence was dauntless as they achieved their first win against Napier in this fixture since 2015.

The black and red forwards were Trojans, with locks Zandre Viljoen and Storm de Thier perpetually disruptive. Captain James McKay was courageous and composed, and No 8 Fraser Wainohu was staunch.

Gisborne struck first in the 15th minute. Winger David Gray sailed through unopposed following a delightful delayed pass from centre Kye Symes. It would be 26 minutes until the next points were scored, with Gisborne’s first five-eighths Ruan Ludwig kicking a 35m penalty to make it 8-0.

Gisborne were living off scraps, with Anakin Ormsby-Cairns making the most of his crumbs in the 51st minute. The winger fended off his opposite and scurried 25m for 13-0.

With eight minutes remaining, hooker Riley Mullany finally cracked it for Napier. However, with two tries disallowed, panicky passes, and a wobbly lineout, it simply wasn’t a Sky Blue day. Super 8 wins are a rare commodity for Gisborne, with just five in their past 44 matches.

Since 1915 the two schools have also competed for the Football Challenge Cup. Gisborne have 58 wins, Napier 40 wins with five matches drawn.

Incidentally Gisborne have this season picked up sponsorship from Pak‘n Save Gisborne City to assist with their huge seasonal logistical costs, given even their closest opponents are three hours away. It helps that store owner, Brookes Stewart has two sons in the Gisborne squad.

On matchdays the Rectory field is now decked out in colourful Stickman-embellished flag posts which say “Try, Convert, Save!

Meanwhile, Palmerston North Boys’ High School backed up their round-one win with another polished performance, outlasting Hastings Boys’ High School 33-19 at Karamu Road South.

Palmerston North quickly leapt to a 13-0 lead with tries to winger Charlie Robbie and blindside Kisione Ma’asi. Triumph Voice inspired a brief Hastings resurgence by creating and scoring a try, but opposite centre Cayden Pardey showed he could stretch out too with a scintillating 45m break from a well-rehearsed scrum move.

Trailing 21-12, Hastings had a fighting chance, but Palmerston North always had the answers. In the 51st minute, blistering fullback Hunter Kennedy scorched 40m from broken play, a strike that emphasised his considerable potential. Kennedy is nicknamed the ‘Piopio Express’ by his proud-as-punch grandparents.

# New Plymouth Boys’ High host Hamilton Boys’ High School on Tuesday at the Gully. Both schools played midweek traditionals last week.

Hamilton retained the Headmasters Cup in beating Auckland Grammar 32-19 in their annual exchange, Grammar’s third loss in three weeks. Incidentally, in first XI football Hamilton Boys’ High – coached this year by recent Football Ferns assistant coach Sam Wilkinson – beat Grammar 5-4.

New Plymouth lost to St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, 31-26. Year 11 first five-eighths Fletcher Copper scored two tries and slotted three conversions for Silverstream who have only won 34 of their 94 matches for the McDonald Shield.

Marlborough are surprise leaders

By 2013, the word “selfie” had become so commonplace that it was included in the Oxford English Dictionary for the first time, and that same year, Marlborough Boys’ College won their first, and so far only, Miles Toyota Premiership (then Press Cup).

Following an unblemished first month and rousing 28-26 victory over Nelson College on Sky TV last week which kept Marlborough top of the premiership, could thoughts of cheerful pictures with silverware once again be entertained in Blenheim?

“We never expected to be top after four rounds,” admitted Marlborough coach Tonga Taumoefolau.

“But we are incredibly confident as a team and have dedicated a lot of time to getting things right in the mental space.”

Marlborough’s win was certainly a milestone of sorts for Nelson College.

The last time they lost consecutive games in the premiership was on August 29, 2020, when they were beaten 25-7 by Rangiora High School, having been beaten 38-36 by Christ’s College the previous Saturday.

And Nelson hadn’t been defeated in a premiership match on their home field since the last time they played Marlborough on Sky TV, 23 matches ago, on June 3, 2021. (On July 23, 2022, Nelson did lose to St Thomas of Canterbury College 33-31, but that was at Trafalgar Park 17 matches ago.)

Taumoefolau also credits their storming start to a big off-season gym programme undertaken in October-November last year.

“It was pure gym work, focused on building strength. In light of how many injuries happen at this level with soft tissue, it seemed like a good investment at the time and has proved very valuable.”

While it was Marlborough’s South African-born centre, Anru Erasmus, who stole the show as the Falcons registered a historic away win against Nelson with a bag of tricks and much flair in tricky conditions, there were a couple of other standouts.

Taumoefolau was reluctant to single out players, given the emphasis he places on doing everything as a team, but it was hard to ignore the big shifts put in by blindside flanker Rico Nicklin and No 8 Ben Gibbons.

Nelson never got out of their own half until the 17th minute, and Marlborough had raced out to an 18-5 lead by halftime lead, with a try to prop Mason Nicklin and then lock Finn Neal’s now world-famous try-from-a-penalty-kick the main contributors.

Then a stirring Nelson fightback began which peaked with a 60th minute try to fullback Liam Soper, stepping off his left foot, and all but nicked the contest in the final minutes.

Meanwhile, St Thomas of Canterbury beat St Bede’s College 24-13 – despite suffering the unusual fate of having first five-eighths Neihana Mata’afa sinbinned for not wearing a mouthguard, and then lock Halaifonua Faulao yellow-carded for an excessive clean-out, reducing them to 13.

For St Thomas there were tries to wingers Apete Rokosuka and Iowane Varomusu, second five-eighths Isaiah Savea and halfback Nikora Mata’afa

What turned out to be the match-clinching moment came from a cross-field kick from Neihana Mata’afa to Apete Rokosuka. It initially looked too big, but took a wicked bounce like a Shane Warne leg break and sat up for a 55th minute try.

St Thomas No 8 Bishop Neal was a handful for opponents while Lautasi Etuale looked a yard quicker than anyone else on the park.

For St Bede’s, second-five Reuben McIntyre scored a 35th-minute try, first five-eighths George Kneebone kicked well and fearless flanker Kade Thomas was everywhere.

St Andrew’s beat Selwyn Combined 32-3.

Miles Toyota Premiership points after four rounds: Marlborough 19, St Thomas 16, Christchurch 15 (3 games), Nelson 13, St Bede’s 11, Selwyn 9, Christ’s 9 (3 games), St Andrew’s 6, Rangiora 2 (3 games), Shirley 1 (3 games).

A game of opinions

Reader Bronwin Wells heartily disagreed with the tenor of last week’s report of the Auckland Grammar-St Kentigern 1A match.

She felt it failed to properly reflect the complexity and passion which defines such fixtures.

Wells wrote: “Your description of the game as not worthy of watching does a serious disservice to what was, in reality, a fiercely contested and high-quality encounter.

“These two teams were evenly matched, inspired, and utterly determined. Their approach was nothing short of gladiatorial, and defensively, it was one of the finest displays I’ve seen this season. The low scoreline was not an indication of dull play, but rather a testament to the defensive intensity and discipline on both sides.

“The game was tense, tactical, and gripping from start to finish. For those who understand the nuances of the sport, it was a masterclass in pressure, strategy, and resilience. To dismiss it as unworthy of attention raises legitimate questions about the lens through which you’re viewing these contests.”

Meanwhile, after last week’s report, the following feedback was spotted on Facebook, from Mahurangi College principal Tony Giles: “This weekly round up of 1st XV matches is by some distance the best journalism in the Herald”.

That’s not only tough on the Herald’s Simon Wilson, but also likely means Giles will never get an invite to morning tea with his more media-averse Auckland 1A counterparts.

Auckland 1A draw Saturday (home team first, all games 2.30pm): Mt Albert Grammar v St Paul’s; Kelston v De La Salle; Dilworth v Auckland Grammar; Botany Downs v St Kentigern; Mt Albert Grammar v Kelston; Sacred Heart v Liston; King’s College v St Peter’s.

Auckland 1A Points: King’s College 20, St Kentigern 18, Liston 15, St Peter’s 14, Sacred Heart 14, Auckland Grammar 12, Kelston 11, Dilworth 7, Mt Albert Grammar 5, St Paul’s 5, Botany Downs 1, De La Salle 0.

Whangārei delighted to hold defending champions Westlake to a draw

A clutch final-second try and a nerveless sideline conversion earned Whangarei Boys’ High a much treasured 17-17 home draw with defending Kyocera North Harbour champions Westlake Boys’ High.

With the final play of the day, Whangarei applied pressure through their forward pack and moved the ball wide for substitute left winger Ryder Harrington to score.

Then first-five Joshua McRae stepped up and brought the house down with a difficult conversion.

“I am very proud of the boys,” said coach Paul Leyland. “It is something we have been working towards in terms of competing with the likes of Westlake and Rosmini.

“In past years Westlake would have been 20 points up after 20 minutes, before we would have got into it..

“But when it was still 0-0 at halftime, there was real belief in the team. The difference with this year’s team is there seems to be greater mental resilience. Northland teams are always renowned for wanting the run the ball from everywhere and chase the one-percenters. We showed better judgement.”

Earlier lock Hugh Morgan also scored for Whangarei and he was later named player of the day, while McRae’s chimed in with seven points from his boot.

Other stand-outs for Whangarei were tighthead prop Jacques Miller who got through a full game, skipper Brock Reid at No.8 and second-five Henare Parangi.

Midweek Westlake had beaten Massey High 31-14, but Whangarei proved a far tougher proposition.

For Westlake, skipper Arlo Leith and No.8 Travis Findlay scored tries.

The draw meant Rosmini College moved two points clear at the top of the championship, with a 63-7 win over Orewa College ahead of the live-televised showdown with Westlake on Saturday.

Feature of Rosmini’s expected big win was three tries to winger Kason Moller.

Meanwhile Mahurangi College had a win and a loss from two low-scoring away matches played within four days.

On Wednesday, a first half try to front-row sub Jacob Chown-Mills converted by Sam Wech, got Mahurangi home 7-5 against Takapuna Grammar. Sub Cooper McNaughton scored for Takapuna.

But on Saturday Rangitoto College edged Mahurangi 10-7. Hooker Ben Kuys scored a first half try and Joaquin Dechiara’s boot accounted for Rangitoto’s other five points. For Mahurangi, fullback Wech converted his own 65th minute try.

Other results: Takapuna 7 Massey 38, Rangitoto College 7 Orewa College 0.

North Harbour draw, Friday Jun 6, Warkworth Showgrounds 4pm: Mahurangi v Massey. Saturday (home team first, all 12 noon): Orewa v Takapuna; Westlake v Rosmini; Whangarei v Rangitoto.

Points: Rosmini 29, Westlake 27, Whangarei 23, Rangitoto 14 (5 games), Massey 11, Mahurangi 10, Takapuna Grammar 1, Orewa 0.

Reversal of fortune for Dunstan

Life is tough in the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools Rugby Championship.

Dunstan High School now face the possibility of relegation just two weeks after achieving the greatest result in their history. With one round remaining, Dunstan have slipped to last place in the six-team Division 1 group, narrowly losing to Southland Boys’ High School Second XV 8-7.

Meanwhile, struggling John McGlashan College stunned Otago Boys’ High School 29-26. Dunstan had previously beaten Otago at Littlebourne on May 17.

Next Saturday, Dunstan will host John McGlashan at Molyneux Park. John McGlashan only need a single bonus point to remain in the top division, while Dunstan must secure at least one more championship point than Southland’s second team to survive.

In lashing rain, Dunstan were stymied by Southland’s stoic defence. After 25 minutes, Southland loose forward Zeke Smith scored a try to make it 5-0. It was a brutal slog with the next scoring half an hour later via a Southland penalty.

Dunstan had to be bold. With five minutes remaining, they scored a converted try, giving them a glimmer of hope. Short passes, little risk, calculated pick-and-goes, little headway. It was earnest stuff. It wasn’t enough. Southland emerged victorious by a whisker.

After a tour of Japan that resulted in two wins and two losses, John McGlashan College hit a rough patch back home, suffering three heavy defeats. Trailing 26-5 against Otago Boys’, trekking towards a gale force wind, another disappointment seemed inevitable.

However, schoolboys often lack an understanding of tactical kicking nuances. The advice “keep it, run it” proved beneficial, as John McGlashan executed a remarkable turnaround.

Four of their five tries were scored by forwards: No 8 and captain Liam Ross, lock Lachie Sutherland, and props Noah Clearwater and Serge Meeuws.

Notably, Meeuws is the son of former All Black Kees Meeuws, who once held the world record for the most tries scored by an international prop. Serge was recognised with a cap for achieving 15 starts for the First XV.

Otago lock Tom Wilson had a standout performance, scoring two tries.

John McGlashan first beat Otago Boys in 2016, and have managed to defeat them every season since, except for 2020.

At the top of the standings, Southland Boys’ remain unbeaten after a commanding 38-12 victory over King’s High School. In a rematch of the 2024 final, Southland needed some magic from Jimmy Taylor to break an initial deadlock. Taylor intercepted a wayward kick and made a dazzling run deep into King’s 22 before assisting Jack Brock, who scored under the posts.

King’s botched the restart. From a scrum, Finn Hurley exploited a gap in the defence, passing to Caleb Harvey to extend the lead to 14-0.

Southland scored a third try before half time as their forwards overpowered the visitors’ defence, allowing winger Charlie Byrne to benefit.

Southland made an electrifying start to the second half. Taylor found Mason Coulthard in space, and he set up Zeke Siolo to finish from 40m out.

The restart mirrored the earlier play; Siolo sprinted down the left edge and selflessly passed inside to Koen Rarere.

King’s regrouped as both teams emptied the benches. Zane Rakete-Gray fended past two defenders to score near the posts, and replacement halfback Henry Hunter slid over from close range.

In Division 2, the winner of the Blue group will face the winner of the Maroon group on June 14 for a chance to be promoted to the second round of Division 1. Currently, St Kevin’s College and Waitaki Boys’ High School are tied on points in the Blue group. Unbeaten Mount Aspiring College are likely to take the Maroon group title.

Disagree with anything here? We welcome alternative viewpoints. Email us at nzschoolboyrugby@gmail.com.