Tuesday 6 May 2025
First XV 50 vs 0 Mount Albert Grammar School
The First XV Rugby team played with skill, force and power, leading to a solid 50-nil victory against Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS).
Sunshine and King’s College supporters were a warm welcome for the team, playing their first 1A game of the season at MAGS on the Sir BG Williams field.
In the beginning, it was clear both teams were hungry to prove themselves. After a bit of back and forth between the teams, MAGS managed to gain possession and wasted no time passing to their heavier hitters. It would have been easy to lose confidence with such early big knocks, but our First XV trusted their teamwork and it proved successful. After strong protection of the gate in the rucks, and the backs giving each other great support Calvin Harris-Tavita (Year 12, Parnell) scored a try 15 minutes into the game.
The backs and forwards worked seamlessly together when Saia Manu (Year 13, Averill) scored a try at 20 minutes. Even after suffering hard tackles, the team remains calm and collected. Suddenly, out of nowhere, TJ Anae-Paila (Year 13, School) breaks through. He hasn’t left his teammates behind, though and after a couple of passes at the 22m line, Marco Miln (Year 13, Selwyn) manages to score a try and conversion, putting us in the lead by 19 points.
Building on the confidence of the last play Johan Schaumkell (Year 13, School) scores a try with eight minutes left. With a successful conversion kick by Marco, the team leaves the first half with high spirits, leading 26-0. Forwards maintained consistent pressure by being present at every ruck in the second half, which both gained metres and forced MAGS away from their game plan. Joseph Fatuvalu (Year 13, Averill) scored a try in the left corner after great phase work, and Marco Miln made another successful conversion.
After a try by Miln right under the goal posts, Ollie Anderson (Year 11, Greenbank) scored a runaway try, and the team hit back straight away with a final try from Johan Schaumkell. The trust in each other in defence was obvious and one of the best aspects of the game was keeping MAGS scoreless.
Tries: Johann Schaumkell (2), Marco Miln (2), Calvin Harris-Tavita, Ollie Anderson, Saia Manu, Joseph Fatuvalu
Conversions/penalties: Marco Miln (5)
1A debutants: Finn Thompson (Year 11, School), Ollie Anderson, and Ruka Smythe (Year 12, Parnell).
Other milestones were Joseph Fatuvalu and Tom Boucher (Year 13, Greenbank) getting their First XV caps and Marco Miln playing his 40th game for the First XV.
Next week the team play Sacred Heart College at King’s at an earlier kick-off time of 2pm.
Second XV 31 vs 12 Saint Kentigern College
A spirited clash on King’s College's No.1 field saw the Second XV deliver a commanding performance against long-time rivals, Saint Kentigern College. With a balanced blend of experience and fresh talent, King’s set the tone early through dominant forward play and sharp execution out wide. First-half tries to Taylor Bai (Year 13 Parnell) and Karson Hawkins (Year 12, Parnell) gave the home side a solid half-time lead.
A half-time substitution injected immediate energy, with Josaiah Fifita (Year 11, Averill) crossing the line straight off the second-half kick off. King’s defence, built on grit and attitude, continually turned away St Kent's attacks. Despite a relentless effort, the large St Kent's bench (with 13 subs) began to tell late in the game, and King’s conceded two tries in the dying minutes.
Tries: Taylor Bai, Karson Hawkins, Josaiah Fifita, Sam Gapes (Year 13, Selwyn), Leo Kirkland (Year 12, Selwyn).
Conversions: Matt Cunningham (Year 12, Greenbank) (3).
Colts 24 vs 22 De La Salle College
On a fine autumnal morning, the boys of King's headed over to De La Salle College for our last pre-season game before our competition commences. With only two training sessions in the bank as a set squad, a load of new faces playing together for the first time, we headed into the first game unsure of what to expect. As coaches we knew that we had prioritised behaviours that are conducive to high-performance, rather than focusing on tactical and strategic input. Therefore, it could be said we had prioritised long-term improvement instead of pursuing short-term results. This, combined with half a dozen players playing their first game of rugby in some years, was always going to be an interesting encounter.
The opening exchanges resulted in neither team being able to get any sort of consistency at set-piece, unusually strict officiating at scrum and a lineout with rock bottom cohesion resulted in neither team getting or maintaining any go forward up the pitch. Both teams are keen to rip in from the off. Both we and the opposition exchanged scores before the end of the half. Despite not spending a minute at training on defence, the missed tackles remained relatively low, and albeit against a poor attacking display from the opposition, we maintained relatively consistent line integrity.
The second half saw us lose the lead twice, a result of an already low level of cohesion lowered even more by changing half the team at half time to ensure every player had the opportunity to put their best foot forward for the first league game of the season. The amount of turnover balls was high, and neither team found a consistent way of going forward, resulting in plenty of turnovers in unfavourable positions. Despite losing the lead twice, King's stayed within a score and managed to work our way down the field to score a last-minute penalty try, which led to us taking the lead with no time left for the opposition to reply.
In summary, the values we came up with as a team during the week we’re living out to the fullest. Defensive organisation is the low-hanging fruit that can be fixed quickly. The long-term improvements will arise as we identify when to play through and around a team, and develop the skillset to provide support and continuity to our attacking play, which will make us skilful yet adaptable.
Tries: Harry Rutherford (Year 12, School), Ricoh Wilson (Year 11, Greenbank), Max Caughey (Year 12, St John's), Penalty Try.
Conversion/penalties: Josh Leighton (Year 11, School).
1R 39 vs 20 Saint Kentigern College
Our pre-season match against Saint Kentigern College at home on the King’s College No.1 field yesterday was used as a final trial for the 40+ boys who had been training together since the end of last term. Our only other match was an internal trial last term, so this really was the last opportunity for the boys to impress and to be selected for the 1R Gold team.
The match was played in three thirds and there were enough boys to make up three different teams, so every boy played in one of the stanzas. At the end of the first third, the scores were tied 5-all, with Year 11 halfback Henry Main (Year 11, School) scoring our only points with a try. The second stanza was a very positive one and we were able to score four unanswered tries to Captain – Fraser Brown (Year 13, Peart), centre – Ryan Rickit (Year 13, School), wing - Malcolm Barrow (Year 12, School) and lock – Eduan Jacobs (Year 11, Greenbank).
Fullback – Nico Eady (Year 13, Marsden) kicked one conversion for a 22-nil scoreline. In the final stanza, SKC scored three tries and we scored two, to fullback - Zavier Lindstrom (Year 12, Greenbank) and halfback - CJ Hooker (Year 13, Parnell). Cory Parlane (Year 11, Selwyn) kicked one conversion and the final score was 39-20 to us.
6A 5 vs 31 Saint Kentigern College
On Saturday morning, 6A kicked off their first game of the season away against a strong Saint Kentigern College side. Saint Kent's were first to score, however it didn’t faze our boys as they hit back with an excellent lineout move to score at the other end. Despite an early try from both teams, Saint Kent's star centre began to cause issues as he scored and created back-to-back tries.
Although the boys only scored once and suffered a convincing loss, the scoreline doesn’t reflect the competitiveness of the game and the pressure we applied on the opposition. I want to give a special mention to Remy O’Neil (Year 10, Averill) for captaining the side, and to Jack Kelt (Year 10, School) for endless brave tackles. Lots of great moments, but ultimately the boys fell short.
5A 14 vs 26 Saint Kentigern College
This was a great first-up hit out for the 5A team. New systems, new players and new coaches, yet it would be fair to say that Saint Kentigern College were completely played off the park in the first 30 minutes.
The pod system worked well, and Karter Harris (Year 10, Peart) spotted a gap and from inside his own half, a Christian Cullen-esque run saw him score the first try of the season. Ten minutes later, following some excellent ruck work and good pod play, Xavier Hazel (Year 11, Averill) squeezed over for try number 2. Both efforts were converted by James Cunningham (Year 10, Greenbank)
Half-Time: King's 14 - 0 St Kent's
There were multiple positional and personnel changes, and the team struggled to adjust. We lost two quick tries, and this was compounded by both a yellow and a red card, which meant we were down to 13 men for 10 minutes.
Adversity can be growth-inducing, and in the final 15 minutes of the second half, the King's showed some real ticker. There were 14 young men, including three who were new to rugby. They were very unlucky not to get a try with five minutes left. St Kent's scored in the final play, but the score flattered them.
The team was very well captained by Will Hargrave (Year 12, Major), and his lieutenants, Toby Richardson (Year 12, St John's) and Lucas Kidd (Year 12, Selwyn), really stepped up and showed strong leadership.
U15A 17 vs 19 Westlake Boys' High School
Having been given the opportunity to curtain raise for the Westlake vs Rangitoto First XV clash, the stage was set for an intriguing Under 15A clash.
The weather played its part, as did the two teams, who fought well until the final whistle. Westlake, having had the benefit of three pre-season games in contrast to this being our first match, showed more purpose, determination and desire, which took them out to an early 12-nil lead in the first 20 minutes of the match.
Through some great work in attack, the backs created an opportunity that led to a try to Manaariki Kea-Cameron (Year 10, Selwyn), which was converted by Caden Fuitimau (Year 10, Averill), so at the break, we were happy to be trailing by only five points.
With destructive running and scrummaging, Te Hura Marsh (Year 10, School) and Kavelle Wiki-Rawiri (Year 10, St John's) led the second half charge, and with front foot ball, the backs were able to show some sting in our tail with two excellent team tries finished off by Johnny Ford (Year 10, Selwyn).
With both teams eagerly competing at every collision, every breakdown and set piece, the match saw Westlake prevail 19-17, with their final points coming with a try after time was up.
The first match of the season sees us taking on Westlake this coming weekend, but in the King's fortress, so we will have an early opportunity to right the ledger.
U15R 19 vs 36 Saint Kentigern College
The U15R squad got their 2025 season underway with a high-energy pre-season clash at home against Saint Kentigern College. Played in ideal conditions, the match offered a valuable opportunity to assess combinations and set the tone for the year ahead.
St Kent’s made a sharp start, building an early lead through clinical attacking play. However, King’s responded well, growing in confidence as the match progressed. The first try came from Johnny Fell (Year 9, St John's), who finished off a well-constructed move to get King’s on the scoreboard. A second try followed shortly after, and in the closing moments, Miller Ward (Year 9, Parnell) capped off the team’s efforts with a powerful finish. Two out of three conversions from Jake Chapman (Year 9, School) rounded out the scoring for King’s.
Although the final scoreline read 36-19 in favour of St Kent’s, the performance from King’s showed real promise. The team impressed with their attacking intent, resilience on defence, and ability to adapt under pressure.
Coaches were encouraged by the depth of skill and teamwork on display, providing a strong foundation for the season ahead.
U14A 43 vs 19 De La Salle College
A great hit-out for the young men of the U14 Open team in their first team together.
There were some individual and collective highlights in the backline orchestrated by Daniel Parker (Year 9, Parnell) at 10 and finished well by Toby Broadhurst (Year 9, School) with two tries and Paxton Maifeleni (Year 9, Greenbank), Trey Williams (Year 9, Selwyn) and Freddie Evans (Year 9, Averill) with a try each. The bustling running of William Thompson (Year 9, St John’s) and Leo Waide (Year 9, School) saw them as the pick of the forwards.
The team ended up winners 43-19, but there are plenty of things to work on in regard to the defensive structure and set pieces. Still, one more game of experience and a good first game together.