2017 School Rugby

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer

Hamilton GHS only edged Tauranga GC 12-10 last weekend but hadn't played for 3 weeks.

I was surprised with the scoreline too as they've lost players from last year.

[Number 10]

Commentators were saying the very strong wind was behind Hamilton BHS, but I'm not convinced.

Both teams were making good distance with their kicks when kicking to the far touchline. No one was kicking to the near touchline.

[Number 10]

Hamilton BHS get their 4th try, lead 24-0 after 43 minutes.

[Number 10]

Only concern for Hamilton is their captain Quinn Tupaea went off injured just before halftime with a shoulder injury.

[Number 10]

5th try for Hamilton BHS - lead 29-0 after 49 minutes.

[Stargazer]

@Number-10 Commentators are probably right, because Hamilton played from the same side of the field as Hastings in the first half and it was benefiting Hastings. St Kent's, however, didn't do anything with the advantage in the 2nd half. Doesn't look like the wind has eased.

[Number 10]

Two more unconverted tries to Hamilton BHS - lead 39-0 after 56 minutes.

[Number 10]

Two more unconverted tries, fulltime 49-0.

[Bovidae]

Great news for the Super 8. Hopefully it's a good game and the weather plays its part. Both teams could be without key players.

Unfortunately I play sport myself on Sunday afternoons so won't be able to watch the game.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae You're right. I have seen a lot of comments on FB over the past few weeks/months downplaying the success of Hastings Boys (mostly from people in the Auckland and Wellington area) for several incorrect/unjustified reasons. One of them was that the Super 8 competition must be weaker than, particularly, the Auckland competition. I think today's results have clearly proven that that is just sour grapes.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer

From top to bottom the 1A comp probably is the strongest in the country but that doesn't mean that they also have the best teams at the top end, as today's results have shown.

[Stargazer]

Last result:

Co-ed
St Peters Cambridge 48-15 St Andrews

[mimic]

@Bovidae said in 2017 School Rugby:

@Stargazer

From top to bottom the 1A comp probably is the strongest in the country but that doesn't mean that they also have the best teams at the top end, as today's results have shown.

Depends on how you define top end..
Super 8 is in a position where they could have 2 schools in the top 4.. and skew the perception of being the top teams..

[Number 10]

Regardless of anyone's definition of strength/merit of someone's schoolboy competition, having two Super Eight teams in the national Final is a good advertisement for Super Eight rugby.

[Nepia]

I'm sure there's enough pre-comp and traditional matches played for someone who isn't as lazy as me to troll through and make a bit more informed decision.

Does anyone know the strength of teams like Dilworth, Aorere, Liston and Tamaki who bring up the rear of the competition?

[middleman]

@Bovidae
I would argue that the super 8 from top to bottom is the stronger competition. No easy games and a consistently high level remembering that the teams involved are basically the best in the whole north island except Auckland ( whose top 6 or so) are always strong and Wellington , an area that seems to flatter to deceive too often.

[Higgins]

Have you forgotten Palmerston North BHS got done by exactly 100 points this season?

[middleman]

@Higgins
Have to concede that Higgins but they did improve immensely after that. We ( ie Hastings Boys ) have suffered some hidings not too many years ago. Didn't Palmy end up with the Polson banner? Don't want to be critical of any competition and also need to be a bit humble cos who knows what will happen next year. However for 2017 Super 8 rules

[Higgins]

No they did not, Napier BHS got home 12 - 10. By the way Napier was one of only two teams that got off nil against Hastings in the Super 8.

[middleman]

@Higgins
So Palmy then beat Napier in the knockout for Top 4.