U15 National Rugby Tournament

This year the National under 15 rugby tournament was hosted by Rotorua Boys’ High School.  On the first day of the tournament we faced the challenge of playing two full length games on the same day.  In the morning we played Wesley College, needing a good performance to kick start the tournament.  Our coaches were happy with the 36-7 victory as we showed some excellent discipline and control, playing in extremely testing, wet, cold and windy conditions.  Tayne Tupaea, from lock, scored two magnificent tries from lineout drives.  We immediately needed to switch on for our afternoon game against Otago Boys’ High School.  This was another outstanding team performance winning 44-0.  Once again the forward pack laid the foundation for this victory, as they were expertly guided around the field by our half back Caleb Korteweg.

Day 2 provided an interesting situation as both our opponents, Mt. Albert Grammar, and we were already assured of making the top eight after winning both games on day 1.  Conditions were once again cold, wet and windy, but the fields were now also very muddy.  After weathering the physical battering they provided in the initial stage of the game we scored a great try attacking off the blind side of the scrum, which was finished off with a great run from captain and wing Levi Ririnui.  With both teams hardly recognizable because of the mud, the game became a struggle to get much attacking play going.  In the end, the scores were tied 10-10, and because we had the better points for and against qualified as first from our pool.

Day 3 we played a quarter final against Napier Boys’ High School.  From now on we had to treat every game as a final as we knew a loss would put us out of the tournament.  However, we struggled to get ourselves up for the game, which lead to a very average first half performance, followed up by a very stern talking to by the coaches at half time.  In the second half the forward pack began to show the dominance they had displayed in the first two days.  Loose forward, Liam Lomax, scored a spectacular  try to take the game away from Napier and we ended up winning 34-7.

Day 4 was the semi-final where we came up against the hosts and pre- tournament favourites, Rotorua Boys’ High School.  The game was a tight and torrent affair.  They were desperate to win and attacked from the outset.  We trailed most of the game, but kept things close enough that we were always a chance.  With only a few minutes to go our superior field position and pressure finally cracked them after a number of sniping runs by wing Liam Monika put first five Orbyn Leger into space to score the winning try with only seconds to go.  This secured our place in the final with a 15-10 win. 

In the final we played Mt. Albert Grammar again.  Unfortunately, we were unable to respond to the pressure of playing our sixth game in five days in front of a vocal and supportive crowd.  Right from the start we struggled to get the basics done properly and found ourselves playing from behind within the first few minutes.   During the game we lost lock Tom Williams, who had played outstandingly throughout the tournament, and we struggled to cover his absence.  Although the final score was 38-10 to MAGS, each player gave their best effort and was able to finish the game proud of his energies and achievement. 

We wish to thank Mr Miller, Mr Hay, and Mr Hughes for the care that they have provided as coaches and management.  We are grateful for the backing of our parents and families through the week and throughout the year.  We also wish to acknowledge the following businesses and people for the support that they gave to help us get to this tournament:

Ross Pumps, Tailor Made Drapes Ltd, MVP Kutz, The Dinsdale Office Restaurant/Bar, Vulcan Steel, Century 21 (George Boyes), Waikato Occupational Health Consultancy, Aerials Direct, Clough Auto Repairs, Tyre Tracks, Anyford Car Parts, Crossroads Sports Bar, Cater Plus, Club Cardio Gym, Switched On Electrical, The Coffee Guy, Lawrence Home Appliances Ltd., King St. Advertising Agency, King St. Advertising Agency, HUB Marketing Ltd. Canada, Aqualawn Landscapers, Trans Pacific Timbers Ltd., Cloud Nine Fishing Charters – Raglan, The Roofing Specialists Ltd., Waikato Fascia & Spouting Ltd., Freight Lines, Putaruru Electrical, Tirau Panelbeaters, Bolli Fabricators Ltd., Riverbend Investments, Ngati Matakore O Maniapoto, RICOH, Birthright Waikato, Neville Kane Pharmacy, Kingwood Furniture, Heavy Metal Haulage, A-Line Sheetmetals Ltd, ZOAGN, Arapuni Milk, V2 Limited, Finch, Grafraell Properties Ltd., Laser Plumbing Hamilton East, R.W.S, Bull Leasing Ltd, Danni Enterprises, Blast n Spray, Belinda & Bingo, Reid & Harrison Ltd - Yardmaster Pumps, Foster & Milroy Lawyers, Te Paapa Consultants Ltd, Raglan Surf School and Wahine Moe Harbour Cruises, and Maverick Design.

Levi Ririnui

Captain Under 15A Rugby Team 2012