Monday 24 August 2026
Second XV 22 vs 39 Sacred Heart College
King’s College Second XV were unable to repeat last week’s performance and secure a place in the final, following a hard-fought semi-final defeat to Sacred Heart.
King’s made a slow start and struggled at times to match the physicality of the Sacred Heart side during the opening exchanges. Despite creating several opportunities, King’s were unable to convert their pressure into points and found themselves trailing 17-0. However, a strong finish to the first half saw King’s fight their way back into the contest with a well-taken try, reducing the deficit to 17-5 at half-time.
King’s continued their improved performance after the break, scoring another try early in the second half to further reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, a number of unforced errors and a lack of discipline at key moments allowed Sacred Heart to regain control, with the opposition capitalising on King’s mistakes and extending their lead.
While the result was disappointing, the team showed good character to fight their way back into the contest and continued to compete until the final whistle. Despite the semi-final loss, the players can be proud of their efforts throughout the season. There have been more highs than lows, with some outstanding individual and collective performances along the way.
A special mention must go to the outgoing Year 13 players, who have made significant contributions to the team throughout the season and will be missed. Their commitment and contribution have played an important role in what has been an enjoyable and successful season for the Second XV.
MVP: Ruan Tahi (Year 11, St John's) and Robbie Tahi (Year 11, St John’s) who both stayed in the fight and kept us in the game until the final whistle.
1R Maroon 12 vs 68 Sacred Heart College
Our final match of the season was against top-of-the-table Sacred Heart College on their no.1 field.
Having lost against Westlake Boys' High School last weekend meant that no matter what the outcome of this weekend’s match, we could not make the final next weekend. With this in the back of our minds, our preparation this week was a bit more casual and less serious than if we had a chance to make the final, if we were to win on the weekend. Our focus shifted to getting out there, throwing the ball about and having some fun, particularly for the Year 13 students, for whom, this would be their final match wearing the Maroon jersey of King’s College.
I had made the decision to give all the boys who would normally be on the bench or not in the playing 22, the opportunity to start the match to give them playing time and to be able to show that they could wear the jersey with pride. Then, at half-time, I would bring on as many Year 13 boys as I could to allow them the honour to play out our season on the field.
There was not a lot of positivity to take out of the first half and we turned around 61-0 down. The second half, however, was a good game of rugby between two evenly matched teams. With the majority of the Year 13 boys on the field, our boys managed to win the second half 12-7, with winger Jarel Samasoni (Year 12, Averill) and first five-eighth Matt Cunningham (Year 13, Greenbank) both scoring tries. Cunningham converted one try.
The 68-12 final score was not a reflection of our season and I was very proud of every member of our team throughout the season. We played some attractive and exciting rugby along the way and made huge amounts of progress and development.
I would like to thank all of our supporters, the parents and families who supported the team throughout the season, and I wish all of the players all the best with their rugby careers, next year and beyond.
6A 15 vs 7 Sacred Heart College
The 6A team prepared well throughout the week and went into their challenge against an evenly matched Sacred Heart side knowing that the winner would earn a place in the 6A final against Auckland Grammar School. The game certainly lived up to expectations.
The first half mirrored our earlier encounter, with two committed teams battling fiercely and refusing to give an inch. With the season on the line, both sides threw everything into the contest. The 0-0 half-time score reflected the intensity and desperation shown by both teams. Defensively, we scrambled brilliantly to deny scoring opportunities, while Sacred Heart were equally determined, producing key turnovers whenever we looked close to crossing the line.
The half-time message was clear: make the most of the limited opportunities available, improve our breakdown security and continue to make your tackles.
The team responded. After sustained pressure and multiple phases, we finally broke through when one of the forwards of the day, Kade Leighton (Year 10, School), crashed over for a well-deserved team try. The conversion was unsuccessful, giving King's a 5-0 lead.
Sacred Heart responded strongly, launching several attacks and applying considerable pressure. Eventually, their persistence paid off, as they crossed for a try near the posts, which was converted to give Sacred Heart a 7-5 advantage with approximately 10 minutes remaining.
Under the leadership of Sammy Berry (Year 10, Parnell), the boys remained calm and quickly refocused. After an outstanding attacking performance throughout the game, Tommo Edgar (Year 10, School) was rewarded when he produced a brilliant 40-metre run down the sideline, beating several defenders to score in the corner with five minutes to play. Although the conversion attempt from the touchline was unsuccessful, King's regained the lead at 10-7.
The line-out was a strength throughout the match, with crucial wins and turnovers secured by Jackson Summerfield (Year 10, St Johns) and Raff Henshaw (Year 10, Peart). At the breakdown, Max Candy (Year 10, School) and Theo Monk (Year 10, School) applied relentless pressure, disrupting Sacred Heart's ball and keeping the opposition under constant stress.
That pressure was ultimately rewarded in the closing stages. As Sacred Heart attempted to force one pass too many, Riley Gardner (Year 10, St John's) pounced on a loose ball and raced away to score beneath the posts, securing the victory for King's College.
In a match filled with standout performances Ollie Knight (Year 10, Major) played with tremendous heart and control. He was influential at the base of the scrum, made countless tackles, and posed a constant threat to the Sacred Heart defence. He is deserving of a MVP performance.
The team has earned its place in the 6A final. It is a game where the winner takes it all. The boys are looking forward to the challenge ahead as they prepare during the week, to climb the mountain one more time.
14A 69 vs 5 One Tree Hill College
On Saturday, King's 14A hosted One Tree Hill College for their last home game of the regular season. With the flu ripping through the school we only had 16 players available against an opposition who brought 25 players and came to win.
From the kick-off, Niko Tipping (Year 9, Selwyn) received the ball deep and scored a length-of-the-field try. What a start! From there it was total domination with strong carries by our forwards and a commitment to the breakdowns and rucks by everyone. Even when the opposition had possession, they were pushed back time and time again.
Tackling was brutal which produced turnovers all day — each time resulting in converted tries. First-half tries to Tipping, Willoughby Wheldale (Year 9, Peart), Freddy Payne-Smith (Year 9, Parnell) and Brooklyn Collins (Year 9, Averill) took our score to 30-0 at half-time. The second half started in a similar fashion, with complete control of possession by King's and strong running which kept the scoreboard ticking over. Tries to Tipping, Collins, and a wonderful long range 80-metre special which was finished off by Emanuera Schaafhausen (Year 9, Parnell) after going through 6 pairs of hands.
A missed tackle late in the second half allowed OTC to score their only try. But King's couldn't let that sit, and scored another couple of late tries to finish their last home game with a dominant win.
MVP: Shared by two boys who stood up for their sick team mates; Schaafhausen and Jacob Webster (Year 9, Parnell) who easily played their best game of the season.
With that win, King's 14A finish top-of-the-table and head into the final next week on the back of 14 consecutive wins. One more week to finish the goal they set at the beginning of the year.
5A 0 vs 33 Sacred Heart College
“Rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.” — Walter Carey.
The score was 7-0 and the time on the clock was 0:00, indicating that the first half had finished. The referee had awarded a penalty and a half cannot end on a penalty. After some heroic defence from the whole team, SHC barged over for a try. As the dog says in the advert; ‘Bugger’.
The first half was full of manly exploits from Noah Plowman's (Year 11, Selwyn) calling card from getting under the ball when it’s over the line, to the release of the ‘Thai Torpedo’ Ethan Chatkeonopadol (Year 11, Parnell), every player gave his best. Freddie Dryden (Year 11, School) was instrumental in running hard at the opposition defence and Lennox Williams (Year 11, St John's) was totally tireless in both attack and defence. Olaf Hanson (Year 11, Selwyn) had his best game and consistently put his body on the line.
Tackle of the half was from Ed Cormack (Year 11, School) who pulled down a flying winger. Zac Ogg (Year 11, Selwyn) and Sammie Richardson (Year 11, St John's) were also metronomic in their willingness to play hard.
Taylor Kijowski (Year 11, School) was the star player and he tackles, jackals and then goes again. His work rate is enormous. If he was an engine he would be a turbo V8 and god willing a big future awaits.
Unfortunately, we fell into the trap of losing a quick score and from 7-0 down at 29 minutes we were 19-0 down after 31 minutes. The subs were sent on with specific instructions, and Jake Heatherbell (Year 11, Parnell) and Remy O’Neill (Year 11, Averiil) were the stand outs. It was great to have Charlie Andrews (Year 10, Selwyn) back after camp and Zack Anderson (Year 11, Greenbank) gave a very solid performance at full-back.
The team spent a good deal of time on attack and our inability to make those final decisions meant that, in spite of the heroic effort, we did not cross the line.
The team has been well captained by Hudson Hooker (Year 11, Parnell) and the 6 nations coaching squad of Bill, Killian and Marcel have enjoyed getting to know the young men and hopefully have provided some knowledge as they grow.
Congratulations ‘Gentlemen’ of Kings 5A 2026. The pleasure was ours.
Thank you.
U15R 12 vs 46 Mount Albert Grammar School
For our final game of the season, we faced a clinical, third-placed MAGS side. This was our third encounter of the year, with both teams heading into the decider with one win apiece.
It was an incredibly challenging week leading up to the match, with sickness and injuries tearing through the squad. Thanks to the immense commitment of the boys, we managed to scrape together exactly 16 players so we could field a team.
MAGS started strong, but our boys fought for every inch. Alfie Mahony (Year 9, School) scored a spectacular try right in the corner, leaving us trailing 24-5 at the half-time break.
Things didn’t get any easier in the second half. Early in the spell, we suffered two major injuries that unfortunately left us playing with only 14 men on the pitch for the final 20 minutes. Despite being a man down and entirely out of reserves, the boys showed ultimate character. After a brilliant break by Sam Williamson (Year 9, School) and some dominant phases from the forward pack, we put ourselves into a great position for Charlie Crighton (Year 9, Averill) to storm over for a try in the corner. Williamson successfully added the conversion.
It has undeniably been a tough, injury-plagued season. While the bounce of the ball didn't always go our way and the results weren't exactly what we had hoped for, the team produced some genuinely great rugby and grew immensely along the way. Outstanding play from every single player who stood up and gave it their all today.
A massive thank you to all of our fantastic parents and supporters for your unwavering dedication on the sidelines this year, and an especially huge thank you to the players for their grit, heart, and brotherhood all season long.