Wednesday 29 April 2026
Our First XV Rugby squad have been tackling their pre-season preparations during the recent school holidays.
During Week 1 the team had a training camp in Hamilton and then played Wesley College on the way back to Auckland. The training squad consisted of 30 players and all were given the chance to have a run during the game. Although we were 7-21 down at halftime our team won the second half 33-7 to make the final score 40-28 in favour of King’s.
Tries went to James Shaw (Year 13, School), Naki Kea-Cameron (Year 11, Selwyn), Robbie Tahi (Year 11, St John's), Ruka Smythe (Year 13, Parnell) and Ruan Tahi (Year 11, St John's)(2). Conversions were kicked by James Shaw (1), and Ricoh Wilson (Year 12, Greenbank)(4).
Week 2 of the holidays saw the squad travel to Invercargill on Friday after having another training camp at King’s. They played Southland Boys High School (SBHS) in our traditional fixture. The game started well with King’s on attack and scored first with Matthias Petelo (Year 11, Marsden) crossing the line, the try was then converted by Ricoh Wilson.
We had a few more scoring opportunities which we couldn't finish while SBHS scored twice to make the score 7-12 in favour of SBHS at halftime. SBHS then scored twice early in the second half and another midway through to take the score out to 7-29. During this time King’s had many attacking forays that were not able to be finished and a lineout drive which was held up over the line.
We managed to put some sustained attacks together to finish the game with a try to Bassy Tupou (Year 13, Selwyn) with the final score 12-29 in favour of SBHS.
There were sixteen boys who made their First XV debut in the game
- Jude Brem (Year 12, School)
- Jack Burns (Year 12, Peart)
- Max Caughey (Year 13, St John's)
- Donnell Collins (Year 11, Averill)
- Sam Coulter (Year 13, School)
- Josiah Fifita (Year 12, Averill)
- Jacob Heron (Year 12, School)
- Tevita Lo (Year 11, Marsden)
- Matthias Petelo
- Tyler-Rex Samasoni-Tukuitonga (Year 13, Averill)
- Koby Schaumkel (Year 13, Selwyn)
- James Shaw (Year 13, School)
- Robbie Tahi
- Ruan Tahi
- Bassy Tupou
- Kavelle Wiki-Rawiri (Year 11, St John's)
The players will benefit greatly from what they have learnt through the holidays leading into the first game against Liston College at home Saturday 2 May.