Monday 11 August 2025
First XV 32 vs 32 Auckland Grammar School
In one of the most dramatic Auckland 1A semi-finals in recent memory, King’s College and Auckland Grammar School went try for try in a high-scoring clash that had the crowd on the edge of their seats until the very last play. The match finished locked at 32-32, but King’s claimed the victory by virtue of scoring more tries (5 vs 4), sending them through to next weekend’s final against Saint Kentigern College at Eden Park.
King’s made the perfect start, capitalising on early momentum with a well-executed lineout drive finished by Hemana Connew (Year 13, St John's) to lead 7-0. Grammar hit back in ruthless fashion, scoring two quick tries to swing the game in their favour at 14-7. The hosts responded through Joseph Fatuvalu (Year 13, Averill), who dived over in the left corner for an unconverted try to close the gap to 12-14. Moments later, a brilliant line break and blistering pace from Calvin Harris-Tavita (Year 12, Parnell) saw him run 40 metres before offloading to the supporting Saia Manu (Year 13, Averill) to regain the lead for King’s at 17-14.
Grammar, however, struck again on the stroke of half-time, crossing for their third try to edge ahead 19-17 at the break.
The second half was played with relentless intensity, and it was King’s who landed the first blow. Winning a clean lineout through Jacob Carter (Year 13, School), the ball was worked wide to TJ Anae-Paila (Year 13, School), who broke tackles before linking up with Harris-Tavita. Mid-tackle, Harris-Tavita delivered a smart inside pass to Fatuvalu for his second try of the day, putting King’s back in front 24-19.
But the lead continued to swing. A Grammar penalty closed the gap to 24-22, before a converted try pushed them ahead 29-24. Another penalty extended their advantage to 32-24 with just 10 minutes remaining, leaving King’s needing something special.
They gave exactly that. First, a penalty in front of the posts cut the deficit to five. Then with just four minutes on the clock, King’s regathered the restart and launched a sustained attack, working through multiple phases to breach Grammar’s defensive line. Spreading the ball wide, Marco Miln (Year 13, Selwyn) found Spencer Capper (Year 13, Parnell) in space on the right wing, and the winger put the ball down in the corner to level the scores. The conversion attempt sailed wide, but the tiebreak rule - awarding victory to the team with the most tries - saw King’s progress to the final.
Head Coach Ian Robinson was full of praise for his side’s resilience:
“What can you say? 32-24 down, five minutes on the clock, you’re thinking it’s not going to be our day. But the belief and courage these boys have to play to the end is phenomenal. Credit to them – they scored in the corner to win it. We didn’t break the history people talked about for 58 years, but I’m so proud we’re going back to Eden Park.”
Robinson also paid tribute to the wider King’s community:
“I really want to thank the community for coming together and creating such an amazing atmosphere - it’s one of those memories we’ll have for the rest of our lives as a group. We talked about inspiring a college, a school, and I think the boys have done that today.”
Congratulations to Spencer Capper, Josh McKay (Year 13, School) and Ricoh Wilson (Year 11, Greenbank) who received their caps after the game.
With their place in the Auckland 1A final secured, King’s will now turn their attention to Saint Kentigern College in what promises to be an epic showdown at Eden Park next Saturday at 2.20pm.
Second XV 25 vs 22 Mount Albert Grammar School
In their final home game of the season, the Second XV hosted a steadily improving Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) side, with both teams fighting for crucial points - MAGS to secure fourth spot, and King’s to keep their own top-four hopes alive.
The match was a seesaw affair, with both sides trading blows and making the most of attacking opportunities. King’s executed some excellent edge play, with Leo Kirkland’s (Year 12, Selwyn) elusive runs down the right creating havoc and helping narrow the deficit to just two points at halftime.
Early in the second half, a couple of lapses in concentration allowed MAGS to score quick tries, but momentum soon swung back to King’s. Even with MAGS bringing on a couple of First XV players, King’s defensive effort, led superbly by Sam Gapes (Year 13, Selwyn), lifted another gear. Sustained pressure, patience in possession, and secure ball control kept King’s on the front foot, though a few late chances went begging.
Whether it’s enough for a top-four finish now rests with the Auckland Rugby Football Union’s calculations.
Tries: Leo Kirkland, Johnny Wilson (Year 13, Parnell)(2), Noah Moss (Year 11, Parnell)
Conversion: James Shaw (Year 12, School)
Penalty: Felix Spary (Year 12, Selwyn)
Colts 12 vs 18 De La Salle College
The Colts XV faced their nemesis team last Saturday in another high-tension episode of Second XVB Schoolboy Rugby. Tāmak Makaurau put on yet another great day for rugby, with the rain holding off throughout the match. A hint of a westerly wind swept down across the field as the coin toss rewarded us with the uphill climb on the infamous De La Salle (DLS) incline, DLS Field No 2.
The boys got off to a positive start in the first half, dominating DLS for both territory and points in the first 20 minutes of the match, keeping them pinned in their half. Quick thinking from skipper lock Sam Coulter (Year 12, Parnell) on a penalty in the green zone saw him charge ahead with a quick penalty tap, scoring a converted try by Cale Ngatai (Year 11, Parnell) close to the goalposts. Five minutes later, first five-eighth Ngatai spotted space behind, executed a well-placed chip and chase, and regathered to dot down again for the boys. A little rushed in completing the conversion, Ngatai fumbled the kick to bring up a healthy 12–nil lead with 20 minutes to go in the half.
Unfortunately, the DLS big boys were now warmed up, and their ball-runners started to roll and dominate play. DLS were able to score two quick tries after camping out in our 22 for the remainder of the half, bringing the halftime score to 10–12.
Basic errors and ill-discipline on our part allowed DLS to burst open in the second half with an early converted try, stealing away the lead. From there, they maintained composure, possession, and territory through set-phase play. By this stage in the second half, the error rate and ill-discipline were becoming costly for the Colts, especially on attack, missing opportunities for points on the board (for us) and allowing DLS to gain even more momentum, confidence, and hope. With their tails up and right in front of the sticks, DLS slotted a penalty kick to put the final nail in the coffin. The Colts’ final and desperate attempts to set up a winning try fell short, and alas, the final whistle blew to confirm the defeat.
…but wait! There’s more.
Despite the loss, the Colts XV 2025 overall effort has earned them a place in a semi-final against Auckland Grammar 2B XV this coming Saturday. See you there! Virtus Pollet.
Tries: Sam Coulter, Cale Ngatai
Conversion: Cale Ngatai (1/2)
1R Maroon 10 vs 10 Mount Albert Grammar School
For our final pool match yesterday, we played Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) on our No 2 ground in a must-win match to secure our place in the semi-finals next weekend. Going into the game, we were sitting fourth on 8 points and MAGS just behind us on 5 points, so whoever won the match would proceed to the semis.
We were missing a large number of our squad for various reasons, so we were forced to shuffle players around and bring in a couple from other teams just to get a squad of 21 together on the day.
This match was a real arm-wrestle from start to finish, with neither team willing to give up territory and both showing stout defence. MAGS opened the scoring with a try midway through the first half, and we replied with an individual effort from midfielder Karson Hawkins (Year 12, Parnell). Neither try was converted, and at the half-time whistle the scores were tied at 5-all.
In the second half, our discipline let us down, and MAGS were able to pin us inside our own 22 for most of the half as the referee penalised us on multiple occasions. MAGS capitalised once, scoring from a well-worked forward drive close to our line. Their kicker was again unable to convert, and the score remained 10–5 for most of the half. With 10 minutes to go, the MAGS winger was on the end of a well-executed backline move but dropped the ball in the process of diving over the try line with no defenders near him. This let-off gave us a lifeline, and the boys rolled up their sleeves and got to work. With constant pressure and patience, we eventually worked the ball to loose forward Kobe Schaumkel (Year 12, Selwyn), who scored in the corner to tie the scores. Felix Spary (Year 12, Selwyn) was unable to convert, and it seemed as though the game would end in a 10-all draw.
However, rugby can have many twists and turns. From the restart, with time almost up, we knocked-on, they were awarded a scrum, and we were deemed offside at the ruck. For the last play of the game, the referee awarded MAGS a penalty on the 22m, right in front of our posts. But under pressure, the MAGS player missed, and the referee blew full-time with the score still locked at 10-all.
The 2 points for the draw allowed us to finish fourth and secure our semi-final spot next Saturday, away at Sacred Heart College, who have remained undefeated all season. This will no doubt be a tough challenge, but as I have already said, rugby can hold many twists and turns, and we will prepare well this week to give it our best shot.
Tries: Karson Hawkins, Kobe Schaumkel
1R Gold 0 vs 22 Auckland Grammar School
The last game of the season saw the boys from 1R Gold put in an awesome effort with only the starting 15 players and two reserves available. A number of starters were unavailable through injury, but it was a next man up mentality which saw Gold show their courage and "never give up attitude that has been present all season..
In muddy slippery conditions, the boys tried and tried, and a few errors in crucial phases and on attack in Grammar's Red Zone let them down, unable to convert in the first half.
Half-time: 8-0 to Grammar
In the second half, the team came out firing with their stand-in Captain Jake Peacocke (Year 11, Selwyn) leading the way with his fierce defence and strong tackling. The team didn’t stop trying all half and used the ball at every opportunity, but dropped the ball again at crucial times, let us down. Grammar converts our errors and turns them into points. But the lack of fresh subs and legs got us in the end!
I'm so proud of the team that never stopped trying and emptied the tank on our last game of the year.
It was a great after-match chat where the boys were so appreciative of the t-shirts, games, and coaching this year.
The parents were so generous and grateful. The general consensus is that all our players had so much fun this year and totally enjoyed their rugby experience.
5A 7 vs 28 St Peter's College
This is a well-performing team. We have good patterns and have monopolised possession in our last three games - but we just can’t get across the white line.
We started strongly again this week, stringing together long passages of possession. Liam Parker (Year 11, Parnell) saw plenty of ball, and there was strong running from Lucas Kidd (Year 12, Selwyn) and Angad Naidu (Year 11, St John’s). It took 13 minutes before St Peter’s had any meaningful possession.
Our inability to turn pressure into points again proved costly. In their first foray into our 22, our defensive communication faltered. The St Peter’s College (SPC) halfback spotted a gap and went through untouched.
The team regrouped, with Xavier Hazel (Year 11, Averill) and Jack Long (Year 12, Greenbank) putting in strong tackles. However, a nasty ear gash to Jett Inness (Year 10, Peart) - requiring seven stitches - forced a front-row reshuffle, unsettling the team, and St Peter’s took advantage to score again.
Half-time: King’s 0–12
The second half was almost identical to the first - plenty of possession, good recycling, and strong runs from Timote Leha (Year 12, St John’s) and Zavier Linstrom (Year 12, Greenbank). We created multiple chances - a dropped ball near the line, a 3-on-1 we didn’t convert, and countless drives from five metres out - all well defended by SPC.
The breakthrough came from Alex Sonn (Year 10, Major) in his penultimate game for King’s, crossing the line with the conversion added. Game on. But just two minutes later, an error at halfway gave SPC possession, and they scored under the posts to seal the match. They added another try with the final play.
We have one final game this Saturday, which will be Alex Sonn’s last before returning to South Africa, so we’ll be motivated to perform well. A big thank you to Martin Linstrom, who stepped in to referee when no official arrived.
Try: Alex Sonn
Conversion: Zavier Linstrom
U15A 10 vs 8 St Peter's College
For centuries, local Māori dragged waka from the east coast to the west, and vice versa, mere metres from where the King’s school grounds currently sit. The same team effort and mental fortitude would be required to win this top-of-the-table clash with St Peter’s College (SPC), a team whose 2025 for-and-against reads like a healthy cricket score.
With a huge, supportive crowd, both teams put on an exhibition of high-pressure rugby.
King’s spent the first 10 minutes playing 'keep away' with the ball, not allowing SPC to touch it through dominant pick-and-go and ruck possession that took us deep into enemy territory. A pinpoint grubber kick by Robert Tahi (Year 10, St John’s) pierced the SPC line, and prolific try-scorer Ben Leith (Year 11, St John’s) regathered and dived over in the left-hand corner. Try unconverted.
In the next 10 minutes, SPC converted a penalty from in front but were already showing signs of strain under mounting King’s pressure in the lineout and in ball handling.
Following a lineout steal inside our 22 by Ros-Alan Uepi (Year 10, St John’s) - and through some quick thinking in our exit play - we created possibly the best try of the season. Manaariki Kea-Cameron (Year 10, Selwyn), catching the ball on his own try line, evaded five would-be tacklers with a step so big he could have crossed the aforementioned east-to-west portage in one stride. Accelerating into open space, he passed, and through quick hands the ball reached Robert Tahi, who ran from halfway to score in the left-hand corner - 100m from the start of the movement. Try unconverted.
Half-time: King’s 10–3
SPC’s motto - Spirit, Pride, Commitment - was on display, but it was King’s who embodied all three in the second half, spending the entire period repelling attack after attack. Huge tackle counts from Mathias Petelo (Year 10, Marsden), Johnny Ford (Year 10, Selwyn), and Nikau Henwood (Year 11, St John’s) led our defence. SPC eventually broke through as fatigue set in, scoring a try that went unconverted.
Both sides had opportunities to kick penalties for the lead, but true to form, both preferred to run the ball. Despite the tense finish, the final score remained King’s 10–8.
Finishing the regular season unbeaten is no small feat, especially given the challenges of sickness, injury, Year 10 camp commitments, and at times having only one or two reserves.
Next week, following in the footsteps of the First XV, we take on old rivals Auckland Grammar in a home semi-final. A win will only come if we again paddle our waka together, in unison, towards our final destination.
U15R 22 vs 27 Howick College
In the final match before the semi-finals, King’s U15R hosted Howick College, eager to avenge their earlier-season loss. Howick opened the scoring, but Raff Henshaw (Year 9, Peart) hit back with a determined try. Despite strong work from Johnny Fell (Year 9, St John’s) and Miller Ward (Year 9, School), Howick maintained the upper hand, leading 5–22 at half-time.
King’s came out firing after the break. Jack Rutherford (Year 9, School) scored almost immediately, Harry Thomson (Year 9, Marsden) followed soon after, and with just three minutes left, Nico Fleming (Year 9, Greenbank) powered over to level the scores at 22–22.
Believing the draw would be enough to secure a semi-final spot, King’s briefly relaxed - and Howick pounced. In the dying moments, they crossed for the match-winning try, sealing a 22–27 victory.
It was a spirited fightback that showcased the team’s resilience and attacking flair, but also a reminder that the game isn’t over until the final whistle. Time will tell if we’ve done enough to make the semi-finals.
U14A 3 vs 28 Sacred Heart College
The last game for the U14 Open rugby team was against Sacred Heart College.
We matched them well in terms of territory and possession but were outflanked a couple of times and missed key tackles twice in each half, resulting in a 3–28 loss. A sole Daniel Parker (Year 9, Parnell) penalty was our only reward. Fili Autagavaia (Year 9, Peart) and Kalani Mafi (Year 9, Greenbank) tackled well, and Leo Waide (Year 9, School) was the standout ball carrier.
It was a tough season for a group that learned a lot and has plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
Penalty: Daniel Parker