Monday 19 October 2026
Backed up by some of the same players from Friday's Rugby Sevens tournament, we had plenty of tired legs and battered bodies. We played a number of players out of position during games as part of our development plan, especially as we were short of three pivotal middle-players.
Thankfully, this did not seem to slow the team down and our first game against Hamilton Boys' High School (ranked second) was one-way traffic! An outstanding dive by Ruka Smythe (Year 13, Parnell) started the scoring and the team was to add nine other touch downs to this. Robbie Dunn (Year 12, Marsden) scored two with nice chop-lines off Smythe’s long passes. Big Finn Jones (Year 13, Parnell) (2), Karson Hawkins (Year 13, Parnell), James Shaw (Year 13, School) (2), Josh Leighton (Year 12, School) and Josiah Lea'aetalafo'ou (Year 10, Averill) all scored to easily win 10–4.
Next up was Rotorua Boys' High School and a commanding 9–2 victory ensured a semi-final spot! Tries were scored by captain Smythe (2), Naki Kea-Cameron (Year 11, Selwyn) (2), Trey Williams (Year 10, Selwyn) (2), Felix Spary, Jones and Robbie Tahi.
The semi-final was against New Plymouth Boys' High School, a team we have dominated over recent years at nationals, so there was some underlying tension. A fantastic game ensued, which saw it drawn at 5-all with 5 minutes to go. Huge credit to NPBHS, who kicked on and ended up winning 5–8. Our tries were scored by Lea'aetalafo'ou, Hawkins, Shaw, Spary and Smythe.
Our key middles ran themselves to a standstill with both Smythe and Spary being outstanding all day. Some of the youngsters were promoted into the middle and responded well; Daniel Parker (Year 10, Parnell), Williams and Lea'aetalafo'ou are all great future prospects. NPBHS went on to win the whole tournament, beating Hamilton Boys' High School in the final with our King’s College team finishing third.
Thank you to Lucky Smythe (coaching) and to the wonderful parents who travelled to support us!