2017 School Rugby

[Stargazer]

Hastings Boys: 47 (McClutchie 2x, Tavita-Metcalfe (2x), Mua, Udy-Johns, Naholo tries; Toala con 6x)
St Pats Stream: 17 (Masima, Higgins, Svenson tries; Boyle con)

MOTM: Devan Flanders (well deserved IMO)

That second try from McClutchie was awesome, by the way!

[Bovidae]

3 of the 4 teams in the Top 4 are the same as last year. Only the Blues region has a different school - St Kents for MAGS.

[Number 10]

@Bovidae said in 2017 School Rugby:

Final score 47-17.

Hastings took a penalty from in front at the end...and missed. Naholo only 1 try.

So the Top 4 is set:

St Kents vs Hastings BHS
Hamilton BHS v Southland BHS

Bovidae - how is the draw made?

Is it on some kind of rotation?

Last year it was:
Auckland winner v South Island winner
Chiefs winner v Hurricanes winner

[Bovidae]

@Number-10 Yes, rotated every year so each team plays a team from a different region over a 3-yr period.

Next year will be Blues vs Chiefs and Hurricanes vs South Island

[Bovidae]

A summary of the finals for all 3 competitions which starts tomorrow. St Peters beat Feilding (away) in the CNI so are capable of doing that again.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/96457467/hastings-head-to-1st-xv-championships-as-hot-favourties-but-strong-pack-looms-to-challenge-for-the-title

[Stargazer]

Friday 8 September

Hine Pounamu Trophy – Girls 1st XV
10.30am – Southern Cross Campus vs St Mary’s Wellington
11.45am – Hamilton Girls’ High School v Southland Girls’ High School

Co-ed Cup
1.30pm – Rangitoto College v Feilding High School
2.45pm – St Peter’s College Cambridge v St Andrew’s College

Barbarians 1st XV Trophy - Boys 1st XV
1.10pm – Saint Kentigern College v Hastings Boys’ High School - Televised (Rugby Channel)
2.55pm – Hamilton Boys’ High School v Southland Boys’ High School - Televised

Sunday 10th September

Hine Pounamu Trophy – Girls 1st XV
10am – 3rd v 4th
10.40am – Final - Televised

Co-ed Cup
12.30pm – 3rd v 4th
12.25pm – Final – Televised

Barbarians 1st XV Trophy - Boys 1st XV
1.30pm – 3rd v 4th
2.20pm – Final - Televised

[Nepia]

Are Hastings really strong favourites? More likely just only slight favourites as they've had a small win and draw with Hamilton this year.

[Stargazer]

@Nepia I agree. They were strong favourites for the Hurricanes Final, but the Top 4 is a different kettle of fish. They've earned their favourites role due to their unbeaten streak and the fact they lost last year's final only by one point after another unbeaten streak. But Hamilton is close, and their win over St Kent's was in preseason with both teams missing players. Southland's strength is probably the biggest unknown. I think a lot will depend on the form of the day.

[Nepia]

Anyone got an update in Hastings v St Kents?

[Stargazer]

Hastings convincingly beat St Kent's and are through to the Final!

Hastings BHS 29 - 10 St Kent's

HBHS: Jeriah Mua 2x, Danny Toala tries; Danny Toala con; Toala pen 4x
St Kent's: Rivez Reihana try, con and pen

[Stargazer]

Must say I expected a lot more resistance from St Kent's, but Hastings was much better. Hastings handled the tough, windy conditions very well, made good decisions and had a rock solid defence. St Kent's handling errors cost them dearly.

MOTM: Jeriah Mua

[Bovidae]

A very dominant performance by Hastings.

St Kents were not very smart when they were on attack but Hastings' defence was too good. I was disappointed in Nanai after the hype.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yes, Nanai did nothing to impress.

[Stargazer]

Hopefully, Fakatava's knee injury isn't serious, but I'd be surprised if he'll be able to play the final. Shame. He's been brilliant all season and then probably missing the final. Sad.

[Bovidae]

In the girls comp:

St Mary's College beat Southern Cross Campus 22-17 in SF1
Hamilton Girls' High School beat Southland Girls' High School 51-12 in SF2

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Not surprised with those 2 finalists, although the score in the second semi is much bigger than expected. Maybe Southland Girls, last year's champions, lost a lot of players since last year (talented Black Ferns 7s player Alena Saili being one of them). Anyway, I'd be surprised if Hamilton Girls don't win the final, despite St Mary's again fielding a strong team.

[Number 10]

Hamilton BHS lead Southland BHS 14-0 after 8 minutes.

[Number 10]

Yellow card to Hamilton BHS who still lead 14-0 after 17 minutes.

[Number 10]

Very strong crossfield wind.

[Stargazer]

Result from the first co-ed semi:

Feilding 44 v Rangitoto 3

This means that the Hurricanes region have all three semifinalists going through to the final and that Auckland won't be represented in the finals.

In the other co-ed semi, St Peter's School is leading 31 to 0 over St Andrews College. I won't be surprised if all Chiefs region semifinalists go through as well.