First XV rugby wrap: Auckland Grammar made to work hard but secure second straight win, Super 8 schools sweep leading Wellington contenders

Indeed, it was only through coughing up a penalty with the last kick of the game that Dilworth missed out on their own bonus point, something that would have been a valued keepsake of their newly improved status in the competition this year.

There is also plenty to admire about Grammar this season, particularly as history can weigh heavy on a team everybody wants to beat in First XV rugby, given they are Auckland’s most successful school in terms of the major metrics of 65 1A title wins and producing a record 54 All Blacks.

Grammar do things at pace in their backline, have an efficient pack, a nuggety skipper in hooker Connor Murdoch, livewire flankers in Ben Stewart and particularly blindside Sol Anderson, and a very steady kicker in first five-eighth Ethan Halaapiapi.

Even with a few players missing – Nico Stanley is still recovering from a pre-season injury against Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Matayas Thomson reportedly had basketball commitments with the New Zealand Under-17s – Grammar were a tidy outfit.

However this season, Dilworth look stronger than they ever have. Since entering the 1A ranks in 2015, they have never beaten Grammar (though there was the unfortunate episode in 2024, when they won 13-10 only to lose on the technicality of having fielded two ineligible players).

But this year, Dilworth’s starting XV is comprised entirely of Year 13 players – and they have a few diamonds in there.

Centre and skipper Solomon Westerland is as statuesque as a Greek god and quite a talent. It was just a shame Stanley was sidelined, otherwise there was the possibility of the rare treat of a New Zealand Schools rugby team centre opposing a New Zealand Schoolboys rugby league midfield back in Solomon.

Left wing Steven Live Luatua was Dilworth’s rugby player of the year last season, but is perhaps better known as another New Zealand Schoolboys rugby league squad selection, while No 8 Cyrus Neho was Dilworth’s most improved rugby league player last season.

Dilworth also offered a disarmingly nice touch at the start of proceedings when they had their players’ mums accompany them hand in hand from the changing rooms to the pitch, as a gentle nod to Mother’s Day.

Playing down the pre-match testosterone rather than rarking it up through haka and shouty huddles is an approach seldom embraced in rugby, but Dilworth seemed no more vulnerable because of it.

Indeed, the subliminal message to onlookers was that this is a well-adjusted team with players quietly proud of who they are, without having to be overtly performative.

In terms of tries, the match was even with two apiece. The kicking of Halaapiapi was the difference as he banged over two conversions and four penalties.

After an exchange of penalties, Grammar took control with a 12th-minute try to Murdoch in the tight and then, just before halftime, engineered their best break of the match. They won a Dilworth lineout on their own 22 and busted through the middle for fullback Louis de Plessis to finish for a 17-3 lead.

It helped that Dilworth had flanker Elemani Liufau in the bin at the time for a dangerous tackle.

Grammar were unlucky not to have a further try early in the second half when a slick lineout move was called back for an infraction. But Dilworth were generally a much stiffer proposition with the wind behind them and a scything linebreak by second five-eighth Hiroki Mafi led to Westerlund finishing.

Mafi then scored one himself after another eye-catching burst and at 20-15, the match was still in the balance.

Indeed, Dilworth fullback Peyton Hale looked to have secured his team a bonus point with a late penalty. But right on the whistle, Grammar themselves earned an offside penalty for Halaapiapi to take his day’s tally to 16 points.

The biggest oddity of the day was Grammar being clearly dominant in the scrums but somehow coughing up a host of penalties, while lineouts tended to be a lottery for both teams.

Grammar have now won 11 matches on the trot against Dilworth.

Last month, Grammar beat New Plymouth Boys’ High School 47-12 in a traditional fixture and there will be much interest in their away clash with Hamilton Boys’ High School on Wednesday May 27.

It’s hard to know who to feel most sorry for after St Kentigern’s 98-0 hammering of Botany Downs Secondary College, the players or the scoreboard attendants, as the home team romped away, scoring at a rate of 1.4 points a minute.

Saints halfback Keanu Graham alone accounted for 22 of those points and backline replacement Jaydon Randall scored 16 off the bench.

Skipper Lucian Mikaele and prop D’Angelo Mikaele picked up a brace of tries each. But perversely, for an outcome so one-sided to be of statistical interest only, it was midfield back “Name Withheld” who topped the try tally with three, according to the Rugby Xplorer result sheet.

But to add historical context, St Kentigern previously beat Liston College 95-0 in 2017, when they were last Auckland champions. Ironically, during their epic unbeaten streak of 52 consecutive games between 2011 and 2013, St Kentigern’s largest win in 1A was 69-0 against Tāmaki College in 2012.

On the other side of the lopsided contests equation, Liston College have conceded the last two 1A centuries, beaten 109-0 by St Peter’s College in 2021 and 106-5 by King’s College in 2018.

Kelston ran in five tries to one in their 33-7 away win over De La Salle College, with two of their tries and one conversion credited to “Not Player Event”, whatever that means. Centre Liam Fanolua scored for De La Salle.

St Peter’s College jumped into fourth position after they beat defending champions King’s College 36-13 at The Cage, running in five tries.

Skipper Tua Soti, winger Afa Nyel-Vaaga, flanker Karcin Puna, No 8 Logan-John Sao and prop Bailey Tupu Tuia scored the tries for St Peter’s, while fullback Cruz Ngataitafau kicked four conversions and a penalty.

For King’s, there was a 57th-minute try to lock Bassy Tupou, with other points coming from the boot of skipper Ricoh Wilson.

It was St Peter’s best win over King’s since beating them 38-7 in 2022 and came in a week when one of the college’s old boys, Steve Lancaster, was confirmed as New Zealand Rugby’s new chief executive.

Meanwhile, rangy Sacred Heart College skipper and first five-eighth Keanu Simpson had a field day as his team beat Liston College 57-0, chalking up 29 points himself, including three tries.

It’s a great portent for Sacred Heart ahead of the home clash with King’s College on Saturday, when they will be seeking to recapture the Fitzpatrick-Kirkpatrick Cup.

A 600-strong pre-match luncheon has been scheduled at the college by the Sacred Heart Rugby Supporters Club, with both former All Blacks captains the trophy is named after, Ian Kirkpatrick and Sean Fitzpatrick, due to be in attendance together at this annual bunfight for the very first time.

The closest battle of the day came as Mt Albert Grammar School picked up their first points of the season with a 15-14 away win over St Paul’s College.

There were two tries apiece, with the difference being in the kicking. Mt Albert first five-eighth Blake Climo added a conversion and a penalty for five points, while St Paul’s fullback Siokatame Kali kicked two conversions.

Auckland 1A draw Saturday (home team first, all 2.30pm): Sacred Heart v King’s College; Liston v St Kentigern; Botany Downs v St Peter’s; De La Salle v Auckland Grammar; St Paul’s v Kelston; Mt Albert Grammar v Dilworth. Points: St Kentigern 10, Kelston 10, Auckland Grammar 9, St Peter’s 7, Sacred Heart 6, King’s College 5, De La Salle 5, Dilworth 4, Mt Albert Grammar 4, St Paul’s 2, Liston 0, Botany Downs 0.

Westlake Boys’ High School and Rosmini College both enjoyed comfortable wins ahead of their Sky Sport-televised top-of-the-table clash in the Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour 1A competition, set for Saturday at noon.

Reigning champions Westlake were beaten midweek, 36-19 by Tauranga Boys’ College, but were never in trouble in tucking away Ōrewa College 46-8. Westlake have now won nine consecutive North Harbour competition matches.

Star centre Matt Fleming assumed the captaincy as Westlake won eight tries to one, with Apolosi Kalougata Biuvakaloloma leading the way with two tries.

Rosmini had it slightly tougher in beating third-placed Rangitoto College 31-14, but No 8 Luchian Opperman and right wing Kason Moller sealed the game by collecting two tries each. For Rangitoto, first five-eighth Campbell Bibbie and centre Chase Kirkland scored.

Mahurangi College registered their first win of the season, beating Takapuna Grammar School 27-13, with tries to forwards George Innes, Talan Drinnan and Oliver Gipps, and sub Ryder Dewe.

Centre Casey Wright starred with two tries and three conversions as Whangārei Boys’ High School remained in fourth place though a 31-5 away win over Massey High School in a match broadcast on Sky Sport.

It was just Whangārei’s seventh win from 18 matches against Massey since joining the North Harbour competition in 2016, despite having a better overall record than six-time champions Massey since 2017.

Whangārei have won 65 of 125 matches and made the final twice, while Massey were last finalists in 2016 and have won 57 of their last 120 games.

As a historical footnote, affable Whangārei principal Alec Solomon played in his school’s First XV in 1990-91 alongside Mark “Sharky” Robinson, Tall Blacks legend Pero Cameron and All Blacks Sevens and Northland rep Tony Monaghan.

Alec Solomon’s grandfather, Dave Solomon, won seven of the eight matches he played on the All Blacks’ 1935-36 tour of the UK and North America. He later became a well-known figure in Ponsonby, especially among the Polynesian players who made Ponsonby their home in the 60s and 70s, such as Sir Bryan Williams.

And Dave Solomon’s brother Frank Solomon, born in Pago Pago (American Samoa) in 1906, was the first Samoan player to wear an All Blacks jersey, playing in the first Bledisloe Cup test, a 20-13 win against Australia on September 12, 1931 at Eden Park.

North Harbour draw, Saturday (home team first, all 12 noon): Takapuna v Ōrewa; Mahurangi v Massey; Takapuna; Westlake v Rosmini; Whangārei v Rangitoto. Points: Rosmini 15, Westlake 15, Rangitoto 10, Whangārei 10, Mahurangi 6, Ōrewa 4, Takapuna 0, Massey 0.

St Peter’s Cambridge and St Paul’s Collegiate School (Hamilton) are joint leaders after two rounds of the Central North Island (CNI) First XV championship, while Francis Douglas Memorial College and Feilding High opened their accounts with healthy wins after missing the opening weekend.

St Peter’s had a successful trip to Whanganui Collegiate, with their 49-5 win their largest in this fixture, eclipsing their 38-10 success in 2018. St Peter’s have now won 11 of their 16 games against Whanganui.

Their first try was one of the best. Five minutes in, blindside Mitchell de Luca Oliveira seized on a knock-on in his own 22, broke the line and fed centre Cruz Marra on the outside for a 70m runaway.

St Pauls’ put on quite a display at home to account for newcomers Matamata College 46-0, despite fielding a slightly new-look team. Injuries meant four changes to the starting XV who scraped home against Lindisfarne, with Chris Kahotea (prop), Josh Kibby (blindside), Jamie Silich (halfback) and Caleb de Bruin (wing) getting their first starts, while there were CNI debuts off the bench for Jack Pocock and Jacob Finau.

St Paul’s set the agenda with a charge-down near the goal-line after just 25 seconds, with winger Caleb Blake the beneficiary. St Paul’s also showed their forward strength early on, with skipper and hooker Jackson Hill-Brown scoring from a maul that travelled about 20m.

Wesley College dug deep to beat Lindisfarne College 29-27 in a tight tussle in Hastings and secure the Jock Miller Shield for the first time. The shield, introduced last year, honours Miller’s outstanding service and deep connection to both Lindisfarne and Wesley.

Lindisfarne made two comebacks and led 27-26 with time almost up. But Wesley broke from their own 22 with a chip and chase and were rewarded with two late penalties. From the second of these, first five Levi Byers coolly kicked the winning points.

While Wesley lost 69-10 to Lindisfarne last year, they have now won seven of their 11 matches against the Hastings school.

Francis Douglas College started their season well, with a 31-10 home win over first-round winners St Johns College, Hamilton, who have otherwise won six of their nine matches in this fixture.

Meanwhile, Feilding High School made light of some demanding logistics as they ended 17 days on the road by retaining their unbeaten record against St John’s College, Hastings with a 67-12 away win.

The Aggies endured 24 hours of travel from Japan before settling in a Napier hotel late on Thursday and then heading south to Hastings on Saturday.

The standout player for Feilding was fullback Ratu Emosi Vucago, who had only made his First XV debut in Japan. He scored three tries and had a hand in a couple of others, as his gliding runs exploited plenty of open spaces.

Left wing Vetaia Kuruyabaki chipped in with two tries while Hola Palelei, Endre Dickson, Ben Copsey, Sam Emmett, Frank Wallace and Elias Ayre accounted for the others, with Mac Foreman making six conversions. For Hastings, Sone Mapasone scored two tries.

Central North Island draw, Saturday (home team first, all 12pm): Whanganui v Feilding; Wesley College v Francis Douglas; St John’s Hastings v St Peter’s; Matamata College v Lindisfarne; St John’s Hamilton v St Paul’s. Points: St Peter’s 9, St Paul’s 9, Feilding 5, Francis Douglas 5, St John’s Hamilton 5, Wesley 5, Matamata 5, Lindisfarne 3, Whanganui 0, St John’s Hastings 0.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School have retained the Wallace Cup with a 31-14 victory over Wellington Premiership champions St Patrick’s College Silverstream.

In sideways rain and swirling wind, Silverstream played with the elements in their favour in the first half and built a 14-5 lead.

Speedster Troy Waldrom outpaced the defence and Val Tufui profited from a muscular lineout drive. Silverstream fielded their third first five-eighth in five matches and started with a reserve Second XV halfback, failing to make full use of the conditions.

Crucially, Palmerston North centre Cayden Pardey struck before halftime from a scrum move to close the deficit to 14-12.

Shortly after the interval, Palmerston North booted a 50-22, from which they scored to take a lead they never lost. Deputy head boy Micah Steinmetz plugged the corners precisely at first five-eighth. Loosehead prop Max Hill scored a try and threw the ball accurately to the lineouts. Winger Cole Cullen was elusive and scored two tries. Eric Miller had the last say.

For Silverstream, Ryder Thompson, Donald Marr, Bezazel Fereti and Bronson Martin were valiant. The game was refereed by professional official and surgeon Stu Curran.

Palmerston North, the Super 8 champions, basically have a completely new forward pack in 2026, led by No 8 Ollie Read. They have played seven pre-season matches, winning three, including a 45-17 traditional fixture victory against Francis Douglas Memorial College, where they rallied from 17-5 down to prevail handsomely. Cullen and Pardy each scored three tries.

Meanwhile, there was a reunion of the 1976 Palmerston North First XV, whose most noteworthy achievements included a 9-0 whitewash of Silverstream, the first since 1947, a first win against New Plymouth Boys’ High School at the much vaunted Gully and a Polson Banner triumph against Napier Boys’ High School.

Stu Cruden, Dux Ludorum in 1977, debuted for the First XV in 1976. He later played 50 games for Manawatū and had two sons in the First XV, 50-test All Black Aaron Cruden and Manawatū representative Stewart Cruden.

The Wallace Cup is an annual tradition that stretches back to 1933 and honours the Wallace family, four of whom were high achievers at Silverstream and three of whom were First XV players, including 1998 head prefect Michael, the former CEO and owner of Waterford Bloodstock Ltd, who tragically died in June 2025. Palmerston North enjoy a 55-32 winning advantage.

Hamilton Boys’ High School required a late try to Year 13 hooker or prop Deon Fifita to sink Wellington College 33-26 in the capital.

Last year, Hamilton humiliated Wellington 59-12. Initially, the visitors seemed on track for a similarly large hiding, leading 19-0.

However, Wellington, inspired by a committed forward display and the guile of second five-eighths Ben Faitala, who scored two tries, rallied to take a 26-24 lead. Another highlight for the hosts was a first First XV try for halfback Ben Willocks.

Hamilton emptied their bench and Fifita silenced “The Graveyard”. Other tryscorers for Hamilton were Jackson Botherway, Miller Sturm, Tevita Halauafu, and Hunter Hammond. Third-year player Botherway kicked four conversions.

Hastings Boys’ High School dramatically flipped a 24-17 halftime deficit to trump St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Town), 64-29.

Despite three debutants and nine enforced injury changes, Town appeared in control against a wayward Hastings with tries to Decodah Silva (2), Donncha McNamara-Taele, Remy Fitisemanu and Gia Johnston, who added two conversions.

Young and raw Hastings have endured a gruelling pre-season campaign with defeats against heavyweight Auckland opponents Kelston, Sacred Heart, Westlake and St Kentigern.

The more battle-hardened Hastings suddenly flicked a switch and the growth in confidence was startling. Jimione Ratuere scored four tries and kicked a conversion. TeAriki Maui, Kingston Reid, Junior Peia, Oscar Perese, Paeraro Mikaele and Mika Ioasa also scored, with Ioasa kicking six conversions in Hastings’ biggest win against Town since the 100-0 crushing by the 2017 National Top Four champions. In that game, present Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo scored six tries in the first half.

Meanwhile, Scots College and Wairarapa College confirmed their qualification for the Wellington Premiership with wins in the second round of grading games. The remaining four teams to complete the 10-team competition will be settled next Saturday.

“Where’s the tee?” It was a simple enough question that soon turned into a clamour and then rueful resignation for Timaru Boys’ High School with just five minutes remaining in their Miles Toyota Premiership match away to St Bede’s College.

Timaru were down 19-17 but earned a penalty about 10m right of the posts and 20m out. It was an achievable kick - but the bench had no idea where the kicking tee was.

So instead, the visitors opted for a lineout and the dogged hosts resisted, eventually holding out for a gritty victory.

Of course, there’s no guarantee second five-eighth Zy Woodman would have kicked the goal. He had missed two of his previous three shots, but in still-autumnal conditions, the odds were high he would succeed. Timaru’s co-captain, with his Jordie Barrett-like frame and incisive running, looks like a player who thrives on big moments. He contributed significantly to most of Timaru’s good play.

St Bede’s lineout wasn’t good. In the first half, would they have even hit the side of a barn door? Ironically, two lineouts then provided the winning moments.

Down 15-14 and about 40m from the Timaru line, hooker Jack Gunn abandoned long throws and fired a Phil Taylor dart to No 8 James Allison. As he did against St Thomas last week, the brawny blonde charged with inspired vigour. From the next ruck, just shy of the paint, centre Aidan Jeremiah Aileone was unstoppable.

Timaru’s last salvo was a lineout 5m out from St Bede’s line. Grafting lock Angus Patrick soared and spoiled, forcing a Timaru knock-on.

“Last scrum,” referee Cameron Wootton called. There was no way St Bede’s would fold. In a game of slim margins, this was an area where one side were clearly better. The steely St Bede’s side collected penalties more liberally than a city centre parking warden and successfully ran down the clock.

Shortly before the non-penalty kick, hooker Pulileka Latu was sin-binned as Wootton lost patience with Timaru’s ill-discipline in their 22. St Bede’s could have doubled down with scrums. Tighthead Lewis McCormick played the full 70 minutes and looked like he could have gone 70 more. What did they do? Tap and fumble over the tryline, leaving the door open for threatening Timaru.

Earlier, St Bede’s made a slick start with an expansive attack and a fourth-minute try for second five-eighth Asi Tui’lagi Fuli.

Injured All Blacks and Crusaders loose forward Cullen Grace showed up to support Timaru, his old school. He would have been enchanted by the performance of openside Miles Henriksen. Stout in build and similar in approach to Du’Plessis Kirifi, Henriksen played like a man possessed. His second of four clean breaks ended with a try for lock G.P. van Heerden.

At halftime, St Bede’s led 14-5, following a converted try to playmaking first five-eighth George Kneebone. But there was little in it and when Kneebone was yellow-carded for a head-high collision, Timaru scented blood and capitalised with two well-constructed tries to left wing George Davis to lead 15-14.

St Bede’s would likely have lost a match like this last year but the harsh lessons of five defeats by less than a converted try in the previous 12 months have brought greater resolve and composure. Allison, with a right shoulder wrapped in a criss-cross of bandages, even won a decent supply of second-half lineout possession.

Timaru won the Miles Toyota Championship in 2025 to become a Premiership side again. With decent size, pace, impact from the bench and real quality in Woodman and Henriksen in particular, they’ll almost certainly snap their 11-game Premiership losing streak. Their last win was on July 1, 2023, beating Shirley Boys’ High School 32-31.

Coaches Kurt Rooney, a Waimate centurion; Teki Veikune, a former South Canterbury representative who has coached Harlequins to consecutive Hamersley Cup titles; and PE teacher Gavin Miller, a mentor to world champion shot putter and one of the most likeable Kiwi sportsmen, Tom Walsh, have done a sterling job turning things around.

However, it might be worth buying every player a tee to slip into their pockets. Failing that, find someone who can run one on faster than Jack Lovelock, the 1936 1500m Olympic gold medallist whose statue proudly resides at the school.

St Bede’s retain the O’Sullivan Cup for a fifth consecutive time. The cup was presented during the centenary fixture between the schools in 2021 by a family responsible for over 60 boys at both schools. This includes Kevin O’Sullivan, who attended St Bede’s from 1964 to 1966 and was rector at Timaru from 1996 to 2014.

Meanwhile, in other South Island Boys’ Schools Network fixtures, Southland Boys’ High School galloped clear of Marlborough Boys’ High School 59-33 at the Geraldine Rugby Club.

Fullback Jack Brook scored three tries and kicked seven conversions for a personal haul of 29 points. Christchurch Boys’ High School sank St Thomas of Canterbury College 45-10 at home. Lock Liam Newfield and winger Isoa Vosa were responsible for half of the hosts’ seven tries.

Nelson College made it two from two, beating Otago Boys’ High School 40-21. Nelson’s bench provided ample punch with reserves Cooper Bruning and Bronco MacDonald dotting down, as did starting backs Tāne Stephens, Viliami Holani, Solomone Pouli and Liam Soper.

St Andrew’s College are the only remaining co-ed school in the Miles Toyota Premiership but showed they are no pushovers by steamrolling Christ’s College 47-5.

Ominously for visitors Christ’s, St Andrew’s fullback Jett Timbrell was bigger than their loosehead prop James Hunter. Christ’s, having conceded four rolling-maul tries in a brave 34-29 loss to beefy Otago Boys’ on Monday, needed to punch well above their weight again just to hang in. They couldn’t do it.

St Andrew’s, buoyed by a boisterous home crowd, were direct and clinical, powering to a 21-0 lead in 15 minutes. It was 28-0 at halftime and 35-0 shortly after the break before Christ’s achieved anything close to parity.

The first five St Andrew’s tries were scored by forwards, close to the posts, trampling up the guts. Hooker Caleb Collins bagged three, joined on the scoresheet by lock Mac Greer and openside Jiutaisa Manumanuniliwa, while No 8 Leeson Tiakia was a wrecking ball.

St Andrew’s conceded a slew of second-half penalties as Christ’s toiled gamely. No 8 Max Osmers didn’t shirk the challenge, and first five-eighth Jackson Grace applied nimble touches. Christ’s solitary tryscorer was replacement prop Gus Kooyman.

Just as the sun was disappearing and the spectacle petered out, St Andrew’s introduced Iosefo Tito, something resembling Godzilla to Christ’s, from the bench. The giant prop clattered through four tackles for a popular sixth try and was involved in the lead-up to a seventh for centre Tom McIntosh.

Well-balanced and powerful, St Andrew’s play defending champions Christchurch Boys’ in a Sky TV fixture on May 30.

For a fifth consecutive year, they also retained the Albert Anderson-Robbie Deans Shield for matches against Christ’s. Named after Canterbury All Blacks from both schools, the Shield dates back to 2000. St Andrew’s enjoy a 14-11 advantage, with two draws.

Ōamaru’s Waitaki Boys’ High and St Kevin’s College are the only unbeaten teams after two rounds of the Freeman Roofing Southern Schools Rugby Championship qualifiers.

Waitaki overwhelmed Cromwell College 63-7 with 11 tries. Lock Samuel Tipa, first five-eighth Sefita Latu and Luke Harraway each scored two tries. St Kevin’s worked harder to quell Dunstan High School 26-19. A late try by replacement Kafatapu Havea settled the contest.

John McGlashan College recovered from their shock loss to Central Southland College to beat Hokonui, a combined team from Menzies College, Maruawai College, St Peter’s College and Blue Mountain College, 28-7. Taieri College beat Mount Aspiring College 35-24 with Otago Under-18 touch rep Oakley Bird scoring two tries. South Otago High School thrashed Wakatipu High School 47-12.

Last week, we reported on Christchurch Boys’ High School’s smash-and-grab 28-22 victory over Southland Boys’ High School (SBHS) and called it Southland’s first defeat on the Les George Oval since 2015.

However, Logan Savory, publisher of the Southland Tribune – which spotlights the best of that province on Substack –has advised that this match was actually played on the school’s No 1 field, so the long unbeaten streak at the Les George still stands.

“In the words of SBHS coach Jason Dermody, ‘we only make teams go to Antarctica [Les George] later in the season when the money is up for grabs’,” Savory wrote.

“The reality is they had a fixed camera put in at the school for the livestreaming coverage so all games in the new South Island competition need to be played at the school. Also they normally head out to the Les George later in the season when the Southland Boys’ High ground conditions cut up. Anyway, keep up the great work.”

Howick College and Southern Cross Campus lead Auckland’s 1B competition after two rounds, with respective victories over Waitākere College 44-5 and One Tree Hill 38-7.

But there was a real tussle for third place as unbeaten Avondale College edged out 2024 champions Tangaroa College with a 10-7 home win, thanks to a second-half try to blindside Gary Fiso.

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