Tuesday 26 August 2025
First XV 24 vs 29 Westlake Boys High School
On Saturday, our First XV closed out their season with a dramatic and heart-breaking 24–29 loss to Westlake Boys’ High School.
Westlake struck first with an early penalty to take a 3–0 lead, but King’s responded shortly after when TJ Anae-Paila (Year 13, School) produced a brilliant 50-metre break before offloading to Calvin Harris-Tavita (Year 12, Parnell), who finished strongly to edge King’s in front 5–3. The visitors replied with sustained pressure to score in the corner, before King’s regained the advantage through a powerful lineout drive that saw Anae-Paila crash over. At 10–8, the lead had changed hands three times in the opening stages, but a converted try before the break gave Westlake a 15–10 advantage at half-time.
The visitors carried that momentum into the second half, scoring twice in quick succession to push their lead out to 29–10 with less than 20 minutes to play. Many teams might have folded, but King’s showed tremendous resilience and character in the closing stages. With five minutes remaining, Spencer Capper (Year 13, Parnell) finished in the right-hand corner to close the gap to 15–29. Marco Miln (Year 13, Selwyn) expertly kicked the conversion to add the extra two points. Moments later, Miln saw a gap in the Westlake defence and powered through under the posts, quickly converting with a drop goal to save precious time. Suddenly, King’s were within striking distance at 24–29 with just a minute left.
From the restart, King’s launched one final surge. They went through multiple phases before releasing Capper on the wing with 60 metres of open field ahead. The winger charged downfield, only to be cut down just short of the line, with a desperate Westlake defender forcing a knock on just five metres out. It was a cruel end to what had been a strong comeback effort.
Coach Ian Robinson said after the match:
"This group have shown time and time again how they never give up. I am so proud of how the boys responded in the last 10 minutes. Character is the backbone of what we are trying to drive and to come so close to pulling it off was truly special.
I am incredibly proud of this team - the players certainly make up one of the tightest groups I have coached. I've told them that it's been a real privilege to be involved with this team - not only the players but the coaches and management too. Everyone has given their all this year to put the team first and drive what we believed would get us back to Kingsland. Personally, I am gutted for the group that they will not get to compete for a national title and that will sit with me for a while, but we have had a fairy tale journey on the road to Eden Park this year and when I get some space and time to reflect it will be up there with one of the more special times in my career."
Though the result did not fall their way, the performance epitomised the fight and spirit that has defined the First XV throughout the season. The team can take immense pride in their efforts, not just in this match but across an extraordinary campaign.
For our departing Year 13 students, Ian had a special message:
"I guess every story has a finish and while it didn’t go our way today, it won’t define us. The challenges we have faced as a group this year will set you up for success in the future. Whether you play higher honours or club footy, keep at it. You have a lot to give to the sport and I know it might hurt right now but it will pass. You have given this community so much to be proud of and for that I thank you.
Keep smiling and when you see us on the side-lines in the future make sure to come and say hello!"
King's Under 15A 26 vs 22 Saint Peter's College
Unbeaten in 2025, the King's Under 15 rugby team reached the final against Saint Peter's College (SPC).
The scene was set at Mt Wellington War Memorial Park; with blue skies, a breath of wind rolling off the Tāmaki river and a big crowd, brimming with electric energy to see these titans battle it out.
The analogy used by the wiliest old member of the coaching group, was that the forwards represent a fist holding a bull whip, and the backs are that very whip. For it to crack, the forwards need to be tight like a fist, and a sudden rapid force must be applied to ensure that whip does crack, similar to a lightening strike!
The game started with a dominant King's forward pack pushing every scrum put down the regulation 1.5m, and driving every lineout 20m down field sending SPC into disarray.
Strike 1: After a good lineout take by Patrick Sandlant (Year 10, School) and the ensuing drive, Kavelle Wiki-Rawiri (Year 10, St John's) burst away for a wind assisted 30m run, but the charge was unrewarded, thwarted by good SPC defence. Then a Ros-Alan Uepi (Year 10, St John's) run from the back of the scrum ending in a powerful cleanout by Te Hura Marsh (Year 10, School) and Jonny Ford (Year 10, Selwyn) created space for Ruan Tahi (Year 10, St John's) who used excellent footwork and speed to score in the left hand corner. Try unconverted.
Strike 2: Following a dominant scrum 10m from the SPC line Donnell Collins (Year 10, Averill) surged to the line before Jarel Samasoni (Year 10, Averill) announced himself and not to be outdone by his opposite winger scored in the right hand corner. Try unconverted.
Strike 3: Through another forward surge led by Jamie Tauelangi (Year 10, Marsden) the ball made its way to Collins who took a superb opportunity stepping off both feet to score next to the posts. Try converted by Manaariki Kea-Cameron (Year 10, Selwyn)
A couple of penalty shots were also traded in the half, at this point, if SPC had of looked over their shoulders, they would have seen the aptly named "Dunkirk" Rd as they too needed rescuing.
Half-time: King's 20-3
The change in ends not only saw a change in the Tāmaki tide but also the SPC attack, as they realised with nothing to lose they would need to apply maximum pressure. A penalty shot was taken and converted by Kea-Cameron but the beaming smile of College Headmaster Simon Lamb soon disappeared as SPC scored three terrific long range tries converting two of them.
The game was now on a knife edge, with King's leading 23-22 with battered bodies, tired legs, lungs burning and both sets of supporters at fever pitch.
A number of try saving tackles by Kea-Cameron and Josh Leighton (Year 11, School) meant the SPC attack was stopped when needed. With minutes remaining SPC were awarded a try in front of the King's posts and 5m from the goal line. This is when spectators witnessed the 'miracle' on the Tāmaki. SPC chose to tap and go, in a controversial decision they were held up over the line. King's then fought their way off their line and back deep into SPC territory.
With a turnover, SPC commenced one final attack, with a huge overlap and no one to stop them, Nikau Henwood (Year 11, St Johns) came out of the line for a blind sided shot stopping the movement dead. With the hit earning him the 'hammered em trophy' which created a fumble and eventually earned King's a penalty in front of the posts.
As the kick sailed through from Kea-Cameron the referee blew for full time and the final was won!!!
Full-time: Kings 26-22
Tries: Tahi, Samasoni, Collins
Conversions: Kea-Cameron
Penalties: Kea-Cameron (2)