Wednesday 2 September 2026
U14A 43 vs 7 De La Salle College
King’s College U14A. Auckland Secondary Schools Champions. It has a wonderful ring to it, and it is exactly what this small but extraordinary team achieved on Saturday at Dunkirk Road, Panmure.
On a wet, windy, and thoroughly miserable day, these boys saved their very best for the biggest occasion of the season. What followed was a display of ruthlessness, skill, and composure that blew away a brave De La Salle side who arrived with an upset firmly in mind. But as has been the story all year, this team prepares for every scenario. Muddy field, relentless rain, a bigger opposition, a changed kickoff time. No problem. We adapt. We thrive.
The game began at a fast pace, with both teams feeling each other out. King's forwards asserted dominance early, with every single player embracing the collision and working tirelessly at the breakdown. De La Salle were pinned in their own half for the majority of the first period. Brooklyn Collins (Year 9, Averill), Sammy Fifita (Year 9, Averill), Jacob Webster (Year 9, Parnell), Brock Biddles (Year 9, School), and Tu-Ao Hau (Year 9, St John's) were outstanding with the ball in hand, while Harrison Cunningham (Year 9, Marsden), Grayson Owers (Year 9, Marsden), and Emanuera Schaafhausen (Year 9, Parnell) epitomised the total team commitment in the tight. This platform gave the backs, Willoughby Wheldale (Year 9, Peart), Israel Kepu (Year 9, Peart), Niko Tipping (Year 9, Selwyn), Braxton Fletcher (Year 9, Greenbank), Carter Williams (Year 9, Selwyn), and Charlie Crighton (Year 9, Averill), the freedom to make repeated inroads into the opposition red zone.
A couple of held-up try calls went against King's before they cracked De La Salle's resolve. When they did, it was decisive. Crighton and Collins both crossed in the first half, and Biddles produced a stunning 50-metre effort in slippery conditions that had everyone on their feet. Tipping was equally impressive with the boot, nailing difficult sideline conversions to keep King's scoring in seven-point blocks. De La Salle managed to score from a loose King's turnover off a kickoff, the only costly error of the half, but King's did not flinch. They reset immediately, and a turnover forced by their rushing defence just before half-time led to another try.
The second half brought fresh legs in from Tom Dempsey (Year 9, Selwyn) and Kaal-el Tautari-Clarke (Year 9, St John's), whose work at the breakdown and powerful carries maintained the momentum and extinguished any flickering hope of a De La Salle comeback. Ten minutes in, further reinforcements arrived in Freddy Payne-Smith (Year 9, Parnell), Bear Wren (Year 9, Selwyn), Sam Williamson (Year 9, School), and Haupokia Raihania (Year 9, St John's), all of them making their presence felt immediately.
De La Salle had their best period of the game midway through the half, sustained possession, wave after wave of attack, and genuine opportunities to score. But even with a 30-point lead, King's refused to concede. Attempt after attempt was repelled. The defensive grit and collective resolve shown in those ten minutes was arguably the defining moment of the game, and of the season.
When possession was eventually turned over, King's punished immediately. Long-range attacks from Tipping and Kepu created the space for tries to Wheldale, Tautari-Clarke, and Collins to seal the result comprehensively.
The set piece deserves a special mention. Up against a physically bigger pack, the King's scrum was dominant, securing three tight-heads in the conditions. The line-out was equally impressive, not losing a single throw while stealing a couple of De La Salle's. It was the foundation upon which this championship was built.
Fourteen wins in a row. Top of the table all season. Auckland Champions.
"This is a remarkable achievement for a remarkable group of young men. To the players, the coaches, and everyone who has supported this team throughout 2026, thank you. This one is for all of us. And for Coach Saia." — Coach Troy Simanu.
6A 5 vs 53 Auckland Grammar School
A wet morning at Dunkirk set the scene for another chapter in the King's vs Grammar rivalry, with our 6A boys taking on Grammar in the 6A final.
The boys started well, showing plenty of intent and creating opportunities early. The entry was there, and we put Grammar under pressure from the outset. Grammar scored first, but Johnny Fell (Year 10, St John's) did what he does best, finding a way through from half-way to bring the score back to 5 all.
From there, Grammar settled into their game and showed why they have been the benchmark all season. Our boys continued to give everything they had, particularly on defence. Kade Leighton (Year 10, School) and Max Candy (Year 10, School) led the way, putting in a huge defensive effort and setting the standard for the boys around them.
Out the back, Tommo Edgar (Year 10, School) and Riley Gardner (Year 10, St John's) were again reliable for us, working hard and providing plenty of composure as the boys continued to look for opportunities.
Every player kept working hard and refused to give up, but eventually Grammar’s quality and consistency started to tell, and they went into the break 22–5 ahead.
The second half followed a similar pattern. The boys kept battling and never stopped trying, but Grammar were simply too good on the day and continued to build their lead.
Congratulations to Grammar on an outstanding season. They have been the benchmark all year and thoroughly deserve their success.
To our boys, what a season. From Week One right through until now, every single boy has improved, and we have continued to grow and get better as a team. To make the final is a massive achievement, and something everyone should be incredibly proud of.
A wet morning, a big occasion, and a group of boys who gave it everything.
Well done boys. A fantastic season from start to finish.