First XV wrap: Auckland Grammar end nine-year wait to reclaim Headmasters’ Bowl, St Paul’s edge St Peter’s in thriller to top Central North Island

Grammar now face a challenging and perhaps season-defining three weeks in 1A rugby, at home to St Kentigern College on Saturday (June 6), away to King’s College the week after, and then home to St Peter’s College on June 20, but will take heart from their efforts away to Hamilton.

Hamilton brought much colour and ceremony to the occasion with a new sideline cheer group, “The Factory”, accompanied by the school’s brass band, pumping out the decibels.

“The Factory” is a nod to Hamilton’s almost assembly-line heritage in producing top players and rolling out title-winning teams. But on this occasion, it was Grammar who put in the biggest shift and were all business as they gummed up the works for the home team to engineer a long-awaited win.

Livewire Grammar halfback Bobby Neels scored tries in both halves, with his second particularly meritorious as he wormed his way through the Hamilton defence. His eye for a gap was a feature.

Hooker Connor Murdoch, who was also a persistent danger, picked up an early try, while Zac Stanley showed his pace to score from a clever kick-through from fullback Louie Du Plessis. Flanker Sol Anderson burst through with good energy to score under the posts, while very steady first five-eighths Ethan Halaapiapi made all five conversions.

For Hamilton, Carson Hunter showed good pace out wide to score from a fluid backline move and briefly put his team ahead in the first half, after fullback Jackson Botherway registered an early levelling try.

Grammar rested Nico Stanley, with worries about a tight hamstring ahead of a tough run of 1A fixtures over the next three weeks. Tawa Frape was solid at centre.

Hamilton finished strongly with a maul try and then one to Syrus Mark on the fulltime whistle, but blew two other excellent scoring opportunities through forward passes.

It must be remembered that it is still early in the season for Hamilton, who have their opening Super 8 match, away to New Plymouth, on Thursday (June 4).

But Grammar’s victory means they have now chalked up wins over four Super 8 schools this year in Hamilton, Tauranga Boys’ College, Palmerston North Boys’ High School and New Plymouth Boys’ High School, which is a worthy achievement.

These days, the Grammar hierarchy dislike too much limelight for their First XV. After all, education is the main focus and rugby is but an extracurricular activity.

But back in 1918, when this annual contest was instituted, it was so important to school leaders that the venerated Headmasters’ Bowl became the winning prize. This is the first time Grammar have got their hands on it since beating Hamilton 18-17 in 2017.

And you have to go even further back, to 2014, for Grammar’s last victory in Hamilton, when they also relieved Hamilton of the Moascar Cup with a 15-13 win.

That day, future All Black Shaun Stevenson kicked a late penalty, adding to tries by future North Harbour representative Loketi Manu and captain Robert Harris. Grammar snapped Hamilton’s 26-game unbeaten streak and went on to win 19 of 22 games that season, including their last 1A title. Hamilton, however, had the last laugh, sharing the National Top Four title with Scots College, Wellington.

# Incidentally, for those with multiple code interests, on the adjacent pitch in First XI football at the same time, a powerful Hamilton Boys’ High School team recorded a result for the ages with an astonishing 10-1 victory over Auckland Grammar. There were hat-tricks to Year 11 player Adam Ng and Year 13’s Asher Clark.

Auckland 1A draw, Saturday (home team first, all 2.30pm): Dilworth v King’s College; De La Salle v St Paul’s; St Kentigern v Auckland Grammar; Kelston v Mt Albert Grammar; Liston College v Botany Downs; St Peter’s v Sacred Heart. Points: St Kentigern 20, Kelston 20, Auckland Grammar 19, St Peter’s 17, Sacred Heart 16, Mt Albert Grammar 13, De La Salle 5, King’s College 5, Dilworth 4, St Paul’s 2, Liston 2, Botany Downs 0.

Super 8 (home team first, all 12pm), Thursday June 4: New Plymouth v Hamilton; Tauranga v Rotorua. Saturday: Napier v Gisborne; Palmerston North v Hastings.

Hamilton’s St Paul’s Collegiate have surged two points clear at the top of the Central North Island (CNI) First XV Championship and reclaimed the Jed Rowlands Cup after a thrilling 36-29 home win over St Peter’s School, Cambridge.

It was a match either team could have won as they traded try for try and blow for blow – though St Paul’s definitely had a starting edge when they got close to the whole college on the pitch to join their pre-match haka at The Hive. And some may question the merits of that.

But neither team were ever more than seven points in front, as the lead changed four times in a contest which some saw as representing the best of Waikato at this level (though St John’s College would see it differently).

In the end, it all came down to a second try of the day for St Paul’s left wing Billy Smyth.

St Peter’s second five-eighths Waylon Paki had just tied the game up 29-29 with a converted try six minutes from time, as the match unfolded as a real competition showcase.

But with two minutes to play, Smyth successfully made a determined dive for the line after a rolling maul and Jackson Hay converted beautifully from the sideline.

St Peter’s had started the day second on the table, one point behind St Paul’s, and after an early exchange of penalties, their hooker James Powell notched the opening try, running like a back down the left-hand side.

St Paul’s immediately struck back with Smyth doubling around to the right to work an overlap and score to lead 10-8.

St Peter’s were soon back in front when centre Cruz Marra – one of the game’s more influential figures – seized on a charge-down to gallop 30m and score untouched. Marra has now scored four tries in four outings this season.

However, super-efficient St Paul’s prop Chris Kahotea drew the game level at 15-15 with a try right on halftime – only for St Peter’s to again edge in front with a forwards try out wide to skipper Ollie Barnes.

St Paul’s lock Alex Young collected from his own team’s kickoff and set off on a stepping, weaving 40m run to score a brilliant solo try and level at 22-22.

Fortunes again swung when St Peter’s had a goal-line dropout charged down, which eventually resulted in Jackson Hill Brown adding a try, his third of the season.

Hill Brown was ruggedly competitive throughout and Young was occasionally brilliant. For St Peter’s, Barnes was invaluable, fullback Lucca Miller was composed at first five-eighths and Jack Calcinai added a couple of very good conversions.

It was a tough end for St Peter’s, though for their troubles they had the consolation of picking up two bonus points, which keeps them right in the title hunt in second place, two points back. St Paul’s have won 10 of their 15 CNI matches against St Peter’s with the 2020 final drawn 36-36.

Meanwhile, Lindisfarne College won their second consecutive match with a 51-10 thumping of Whanganui Collegiate, their biggest win over Whanganui since a 50-0 whitewash in 2006.

Second five-eighths T.K. Taylor scored 16 points. First five-eighths Te Awarangi Puketapu-Pene and centre Reid Palmer have now scored tries in three of four CNI games.

Whanganui and Lindisfarne have had a traditional rivalry since 1956, with Whanganui holding a 28-26 advantage.

In stronger years, Whanganui’s Second XV contested the fixture. Since the CNI era began in 2012, Lindisfarne hold a 9-6 advantage, with two drawn games.

Central North Island draw, Saturday (home team first, 12pm unless stated): Feilding v Matamata, 11am; St John’s Hastings v Lindisfarne; St John’s Hamilton v Wesley College. Points: St Paul’s 23, St Peter’s 21, Wesley 14, Lindisfarne 13, Feilding 10, St John’s Hamilton 10, Francis Douglas 5, Matamata 5, Whanganui 0, St John’s Hastings 0.

It’s “as you were” at the head of the Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour 1A competition, with the top four teams all collecting five-point wins.

Westlake Boys’ High School led the way with a not-unexpected 92-5 demolition of bottom-placed Massey High School, achieved with backline stars Yisrael Tukania and Matt Fleming starting on the bench, as Westlake continued their rest-and-rotation approach this season.

Tukania nevertheless led the way with two tries alongside another replacement, Kody Isgrove, while first five-eighths Luke Waller converted 11 of the 14 tries. Skipper and No 8 Soni Kohinoa scored Massey’s try.

This was not only Westlake’s 24th win in a row against Massey but it also surpassed their previous biggest win over them, 67-5 in 2019.

Second-placed Rosmini College were also dominant in beating Takapuna Grammar 58-0, running in 10 tries, scored by nine different players.

Rangitoto College beat Ōrewa College 42-0, with first five-eighths Campbell Bibbie accounting for 17 of the points.

Whangārei Boys’ High were pushed harder before beating Mahurangi College 22-13 away, with first five-eighths Carter Iraia, fullback Tommy Erceg, openside Ben Wigarm and sub Tobias Apoua scoring.

A 70th-minute try to Mahurangi lock Toby Leabourn kept the score respectable, after blindside skipper Jackson Gray had scored in the first half.

North Harbour draw, Saturday (home team first, all 12 noon): Whangārei v Ōrewa; Rosmini v Mahurangi; Westlake v Rangitoto, Takapuna v Massey. Points: Westlake 30, Rosmini 26, Rangitoto 21, Whangārei 19, Mahurangi 11, Ōrewa 10, Takapuna 4, Massey 2.

New Plymouth Boys’ High School have regained the John George-Max Carroll Trophy, avenging their first loss in the fixture in a decade last year.

They thrashed Taranaki rivals Francis Douglas Memorial College 67-7 to become the Chiefs Taranaki representative for National Top Four qualifying later in the year and gain provincial bragging rights.

Following their impressive upset of Hastings Boys’ High School to start their Super 8 campaign, New Plymouth almost rivalled their 70-3 victory from this match in 2000.

Winger Coredae Wipiiti-Boylan scored his second hat-trick in as many games, with Wesley Elisara also nabbing a double. Other tries were scored by Zak Revell, Eroni Kito, Ben Sinclair, Nate Werder and Bastien Lallemand, who also added a penalty goal and five conversions. Jack Hurley chimed in with two conversions too.

Named after two rugby stalwarts from each school, the John George-Max Carroll Trophy has been contested annually since 1996, with New Plymouth holding a 24-6 advantage.

On Thursday, New Plymouth tackle Hamilton Boys’ in the latter’s Super 8 opener. Meanwhile, Francis Douglas will look to recover a day earlier in the Central North Island against winless Whanganui Collegiate.

When Stu Gourdie started teaching at Napier Boys’ High School in 1986, corporal punishment still existed; classroom internet didn’t. Four decades later at Chambers Street, Te Awa, Gourdie has seen every Rugby World Cup and outlasted a 1991 fire that burned the entire science block, the September 11 attacks in the US, the Christchurch earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic in a distinguished 40 years of service to those boys in Sky Blue.

Over those four decades, it’s estimated Gourdie has taught just under 5000 students at all levels, serving as head of mathematics for 20 years, dean for 10 years, hostel master for six years, acting senior master for six months and famously even stepped into the role of acting headmaster for one memorable day.

Gourdie has also made an indelible contribution to Napier rugby, coaching at all levels, most notably as First XV coach. In five seasons over two tenures, he took the team to the National Top Four on four occasions, memorably sharing the title with Rotorua Boys’ High School at Eden Park in 2002.

In 1991, with just four returning players, he led Napier to 11 wins in 15 games, including memorable victories against Hamilton Boys’ (13-9), a 10-7 “trashing” of an overconfident Lindisfarne and a gripping 6-4 victory for the much-coveted Polson Banner against Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Napier’s longest-standing traditional rival.

The next season was even better, with Napier making the National Top Four final for the first time since 1985. Though they lost to an Auckland Grammar side unbeaten in 23 games, captained by future All Black Jeremy Stanley, 17-3 in the final, Napier achieved memorable wins against Te Aute College, Marlborough Boys’ College, Wairarapa College, Otago Boys’ High School and Palmerston North again. The captain was future New Zealand test cricketer Shayne O’Connor.

Following a decade hiatus from the First XV, Gourdie returned in 2001 with notorious disciplinarian Del Whyte, who taught at the school for 39 years. For the next three years, they transformed Napier into a juggernaut, winning 71 of 77 games, including an unbeaten streak of 45 consecutive games from 2002 to 2003.

They won 19 games by more than 50 points and held 18 opponents scoreless. During that span, Napier made the National Top Four every season, won their last two Super 8 titles and retained the Polson Banner three times, including a record victory in 2002 when future Māori All Black Colin Bourke ran riot.

In 2003, they set records for most wins (26) and points (1162) in a single season, after scoring 1088 points in 24 games (22 wins) the year before. Bryn Evans later became an All Black. At the same time, Napier’s Under-15s won 59 out of 61 games, including three consecutive national titles, with Zac Guildford going on to become an All Black.

For a long time, Gourdie has been a commentator of Hawke’s Bay senior rugby matches on radio.

In tributes on social media this week, former Hawke’s Bay representative Simon Tremain said: “Mr Gourdie, you have been an absolute legend, helping us all raise our lads with your highest standards and values.”

Another Hawke’s Bay rugby identity, Dan Waenga, echoed those sentiments by saying “best coach ever,” while old boy and Bourke simply said “Legend!”

National Top Four champions Rotorua Boys’ High School are in ominous form heading into their Super 8 opener on Thursday against 2024 winners Tauranga Boys’ College.

In their previous Super 8 trip to Nicholson Field, Rotorua were well beaten 57-14 but will shoot an hour down SH36 in a buoyant mood, unbeaten in 2026, including a 50-14 victory over top-four Central North Island side and arch-rivals Wesley College.

In the annual Chris Grinter Cup clash in Paerata, it was all one-way traffic as Rotorua surpassed their previous highest score in the match, 44, set in 2024, and won the trophy named after the National Top 4-winning coach at both schools for the 16th time in 37 matches.

By their lofty standards, Rotorua were mediocre in the first half, fumbling a bundle of possession. Still, they anchored in Wesley territory and comfortably led 15-0 at halftime.

Wesley were without several key starters and had a prop playing lock, which explains why their first four lineout throws went astray.

Visiting locks Luke Worsp and Nate Phillips were a menace, with the former scoring a cracking second-half try after slaloming past multiple defenders.

When replacement Wesley halfback Tevita Ratulevu sniped through a hole and scored under the posts in the 41st minute to make it 15-7, Wesley might have been a slim chance. Openside Tyson Forbes tackled himself to a standstill.

However, perilous passing in their own half immediately gifted Rotorua their 15-point advantage back, from which Wesley’s overwhelming tackle count started to take its toll.

Rotorua hooker Patelisio Tavake became a bully and crashed over for a try. No 8 and captain Te Ariki Rogers produced trademark venom and scored, and right winger Massey Mills dotted down twice.

Year 11 Reia Paenga-Morgan ran the cutter in an assured fashion at first five-eighths. Originally from Gisborne, Paenga-Morgan’s cousins are Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Wallaroo Katalina Amosa, while his older brother Anaru Paenga-Morgan played for Hawke’s Bay out of St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton and is in the Hurricanes wider training squad. His whānau make for delightful sideline company.

The Wesley aftermatch, excluding the roasted vegetables and mash, would make Gen Z dietitians recoil in horror: hot meat pie and spongy chocolate cake served with strawberry ice cream and a tennis ball blob of whipped cream. Outstanding.

St Patrick’s College Silverstream extended their Tranzit Coachlines-sponsored Wellington Premiership winning streak to 20 consecutive matches, 12 by 50 or more points, thumping 2025 semi-finalists Rathkeale College 57-0.

Gun first five-eighths Fletcher Cooper returned from a hand injury and scored a try, converting six others. Tighthead prop Mea’ole Mai had a barnstormer and collected a double, while captain Ryder Thompson was industrious.

Lock Bezalel Fereti is the son of Black Fern Jackie Patea-Fereti, while fellow lock Bronson Martin overcame illness during the week to score his try. Silverstream’s record for most successive Premiership wins is 28.

Wellington College silenced Strathmore Park, overpowering Scots College 53-3. Fullback Tom Hodgson scored three tries for the hosts, who lost 38-36 on Wednesday to Hastings Boys’, missing a sideline conversion with the last kick of the game.

Hastings, beaten 18-17 by Wellington last year, had six individual tryscorers: Jimione Ratuere, Artorious Honotapu, Sylvester Tonga’aiha, Genesis Taivale, Teariki Maui and Hamiora Fatialoafa. Mika Ioasa (3) and Gabe Dehar added vital conversions.

Hutt International Boys’ School ran Rongotai College ragged, winning 37-10. Winger Ben Park galloped in for two of his side’s six tries. Year 12 student Ed Lingard earned a cap with his 18th appearance.

St Bernard’s College opened their account with a 55-0 hiding of Mana College. The Lower Hutt school bagged nine tries, with winger Wellington age group touch rep Tenakee Love dotting down three times. Hooker Finlay Bosworth and tighthead prop Tau-James Fonoti each crashed over twice.

The St Patrick’s College, Wellington versus Wairarapa College fixture has been postponed until June 16 at Evans Bay Park.

There was an extravaganza of rugby at St Bede’s College on Saturday and Monday as the inaugural South Island Boys Schools Network “Magic Round” unfolded, with nine matches yielding 572 points, 89 tries and a bundle of talking points.

Results, Saturday: Shirley BHS 32 St Thomas of Canterbury College 24; Timaru BHS 41, Christ’s College 34; Southland BHS 34 St Bede’s 7; Nelson College 42, King’s High 24; Otago BHS 47 Marlborough BC 43.

Monday: St Bede’s 44 Shirley 14; King’s 35 v Marlborough 33; Southland 44, Nelson College 12; Otago 31 St Thomas 28.

# For the past three seasons 2023 National Top Four champions Southland Boys’ High School have set the benchmark for First XV rugby in the South Island.

That trend might not change any time soon, based on Southland’s clinical pair of victories. A try scored by blindside flanker Cruz Swain to make the score 22-7 after 45 minutes against St Bede’s was as good as it gets, with multiple handlers, power, deception, timing and skill.

Hooker Simpson Stevenson spearheaded an imperious set piece. Tighthead prop Elliot Wilson was colossal, scoring tries in both games. The midfield of Finn Hurley and Caleb “Creatine” Harvey is rock-solid and fullback Jack Brock has amassed 92 points in six matches.

# Marlborough Boys’ College’s 47-43 victory over Otago Boys’ High School featured a hat-trick scored within 10 minutes by towering lock and Marlborough U16 representative George Adams. With tries in the 44th, 48th and 53rd minutes Adams flipped a 31-26 deficit into a 47-31 advantage.

Hat-tricks by locks are a rare feat. Arguably the most memorable was Neyla Masima for St Patrick’s College, Silverstream in their 2018 Wellington Premiership final win against St Pats Town. Tighthead prop Mason Nicken was full of hustle and bustle and scored two tries.

# Leading for 109 minutes in losses to Southland and Otago and denied a try that should have been awarded in a 30-28 defeat against King’s High School, gritty Shirley Boys’ High School were worthy 32-24 victors over St Thomas of Canterbury College. St Bede’s proved a cut above Shirley on Monday, though they copped three yellow cards in the last 10 minutes.

# Sturdy Nelson College second five-eighths Vili Holani is only Year 10 but is one to earmark for the future. He scored two long-range tries in Nelson’s 42-25 win over King’s High High School and almost secured a third with a bullying thrust.

Liam Soper and Winton whippet Isaac Harvey also proved elusive late in proceedings as Nelson wrestled the initiative. King’s halfback Jaxon Moeahu was influential. A swirling box kick, one that actually worked, led to a try and then his snipe down the short side for a try was textbook.

# Timaru Boys’ High School overcame an early deficit to subdue a Christ’s College side that finally have some bulk in midfield with centre and Warriors Harold Matthews rugby league product Hoani Kahukiwa a wrecking ball, scoring three tries.

# Lafa “Profile Pic” Tofiga is a genuine match winner, amassing 20 points in King’s 35-33 win over Marlborough Boys’ College. Earlier in the season, he had 25 points in a slender success against Shirley. King’s blew a 28-0 lead only for Tofiga to reclaim the advantage with a late run-in. Otago Boys’ High School claimed Monday’s biggest comeback prize, reversing a 28-14 disadvantage to win by three points. Prolific hooker Charlie Hore rumbled over twice.

# Former All Blacks captain Keiran Read headlined a gala dinner in Addington on Saturday night.

Christchurch Boys’ High School and St Andrew’s College battled to a stirring 29-29 Sky-televised draw in the Miles Toyota Premiership.

It was the first drawn Trustbank Cup match since a 33-33 stalemate between Christchurch Boys’ High School and Marlborough Boys’ College in 2025. It was also the first draw in the quest for the Bill Thompson Trophy – which was enough for Christchurch to retain it.

The result also left Christchurch second on the table, three points adrift of leaders St Bede’s – with St Andrew’s in fourth.

Underdogs St Andrew’s were brilliantly placed for a treasured win when replacement front-rower Caleb Collins scored to give his team a 29-24 lead with six minutes remaining.

But after St Andrew’s then failed to find touch with a defensive penalty, Christchurch applied the pressure and second five-eighths Dougal Grant levelled with two minutes remaining. However, centre Williams Brown’s conversion attempt for the win dipped dramatically just below the crossbar.

Earlier, Christchurch secured tries to Brown, halfback Harry Staunton, skipper Jonty Leary and fullback Lucas Stirling, with Brown converting twice.

For St Andrews, winger Otis Wheeler kicked off proceedings with a fourth-minute try and there were further efforts from halfback Ollie Jackways, prop Sefo Tito and blindside flanker Lachie Mitchell.

# Bill Thompson was in the St Andrew’s First XV from 1957-59, captaining the team in his last two years. Additionally, he was a First XI cricketer, twice senior athletics champion, head of the boarding house and deputy head boy in 1959. He later contributed significantly to the college community before dying in 2006, aged 65. His brother Lou Thompson runs Essentially Group, managing prominent rugby players. Christchurch lead the series 16-3. Christchurch and St Andrew’s first played in 1922, with Christchurch winning 14-0. St Andrews first beat Christchurch 13-8 in 1925.

Miles Toyota Premiership points: St Bede’s 19, Christchurch Boys’ 13, Timaru 10, St Andrew’s 10, Shirley 10, Marlborough 8, St Thomas 8, Nelson 6, Christ’s College 3.

The annual “blood match” between fierce Ōamaru rivals St Kevin’s College and Waitaki Boys’ High School on July 4 will be a beauty, judging by their epic tussle in the Southern Schools Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Down 26-28, kicker Tai McLean was going to be replaced after complaining about a sore calf. But when St Kevin’s broke 70m upfield, McLean was instructed to stay – and a good thing he did, kicking the winning penalty 10m in from the sideline, 25m out, for a cherished 29-28 victory.

It was a see-saw tussle with both sides completing four tries each. St Kevin’s were awarded a penalty try while Elijah Fariu, Harry Winmill and Kenton Tokai also crossed the chalk. For Waitaki, tries came from Apisai Tapa’atoutai (2), Luke Harraway and Ned Newlands Carter.

In other matches, Taieri High School continued their rich vein of form with a 62-12 romp over Cromwell College. Second five-eighths Hudson Shaw ran incisively and with winger Oakley Bird scored two tries.

Halfback Johnny O’Neill Cooney piled on 15 points in a 35-0 Dunstan High School whitewash of Mount Aspiring College. Wakatipu High School overcame Central Southland College 31-18 and John McGlashen College dealt to South Otago High School 38-14.

Southern Schools, Pool A: Waitaki 22, St Kevin’s 20, Dunstan 16, Taieri 15, Mt Aspiring 6, Cromwell 2. Pool B: John McGlashan 21, South Otago 19, Wakatipu 16, Central Southland 14, Hokonui 6.

The 100th Quadrangular Rugby Tournament takes place from June 18-20 at Whanganui Collegiate School. In honour of this event, watch for Adam Julian’s upcoming meticulously-reasoned Quad “Team of the Century” feature, in which he celebrates 15 of the best First XV players to have ever contested it (No 8 may surprise you).

In 1925, Nelson College joined Wellington, Christ’s and Wanganui and the Triangular Tournament became the Quadrangular Tournament.

This tournament has been held every year since with a notable exception – during World War II, there was considerable public apprehension and fear over possible enemy submarine activity in New Zealand coastal waters. As a result, the 1942 and 1943 tournaments were cancelled.

The 1925 final was played at Wellington College on August 10, with Wellington College beating Wanganui Collegiate (as it was then spelled) 17-13.

The ground was in a very muddy state and Wanganui attacked from the kickoff, making full use of the dry ball. They were ahead the entire game until the last play, when Wellington scored to take the win.

If you’ve been on Mars for the past week, you may have missed the bizarre news items about Wellington Phoenix and All Whites footballer Tim Payne.

To summarise, an influencer in South America went through every player in the Fifa World Cup to find the least-known one, in terms of social media profile, and concluded it was Tim Payne – and duly started a campaign to make him well known.

Payne, a garden-variety fullback, now has a following of over four million on Instagram alone and you could even argue a proposition that he is now the main individual character at the forthcoming World Cup.

He’s also likely the second-most followed New Zealand sportsman now, behind Israel Adesanya (eight million) and having nudged past Kane Williamson (three million).

If this Payne social craze was to play out in the oval ball code, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association would no doubt ask the original poster if he could mention two other players as well – though even then, normally this would all be outside the remit of this column.

But it got us thinking of looking at it through the other end of the lens and investigating: who is the New Zealand First XV player with the largest social media following?

For example, last year, King’s College fullback Calvin Tavita-Harris had over 10,000 TikTok followers. Ironically, that was in spite of being at one of the Auckland rugby schools which have little idea on how to maturely relate to the whole notion of media, social or otherwise.

So if you follow a First XV prodigy who is going viral on social media with an inordinately large following, please let us know at the email address below.

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