Once again Mr Max Maaka and Mr Kane Rowson had put in place an extensive pre-season programme, with the coaches Mr Ricky Tito, Mr Brad Cooper, and Mr Chris Luke keen to get the skills and game-plan underway. Before the end of Term 1 we had two pre-season games booked in. Heading to Waverley, Feilding HS were first up and, as always, provided a strong challenge testing a number of the new faces to 1st XV rugby. This was followed by a home fixture against Auckland heavyweights St Kentigerns College. At the end of the pre-season campaign the team had claimed two wins and the coaches had found a number of new players who were ready to step up to the challenge that the year ahead had in store.
Pre-season was replaced with the traditional part of our program at the beginning of Term 2 where the boys claimed a close-fought win over Whanganui Collegiate in the 100th fixture between the two schools. A piece of Zak McDonald brilliance provided the buffer that was needed to secure the win. This was followed by the cross-town rivalry where we looked to secure our place in the next round of the national knock-out competition. As is always the case, this was a highly-charged affair as the terraces were packed with students from both schools and their supporters. Once again the 1st XV made some key plays at key moments and took out the Carroll-George trophy 20 - 12. With Auckland Grammar next on the cards and the team four from four, they went into the home fixture with a lot of confidence that they could break the drought against Auckland Grammar. After starting poorly and conceding a number of points in the first 30 minutes, the team were able to score just before half-time, and with that secured a lot of confidence heading into the second half. After taking the lead late in the second half the team were able to hold off some determined Grammar attack to claim victory and the Faull Cup from Auckland Grammar 29 - 24. The team finished off the traditional portion of the season with a home contest against St Patricks College, Silverstream battling for the McDonald shield. In a very hard-fought contest where both teams found it hard to score points, the 1st XV eventually went down 15 - 3. Despite the last result it was a positive start to the season as they embarked on the Super 8 campaign.
The Super 8 competition reverted to its usual format which required a top-2 finish to make the final and compete for the championship. First up was Hamilton BHS and after conceding three early tries to be trailing 17 - 0 after 15 minutes, the 1st XV showed a lot of composure and determination to come back and head to the break trailing 17 - 15. Scoring first after halftime to take the lead, the team was confident and playing some very good attacking rugby. Unfortunately we could not capitalise on a few key moments in the second half and Hamilton came out winners 36 - 29.
A 13 - 5 victory in horrendous conditions on The Gully against Tauranga BC followed the next week before we headed to Palmerston North for the Barnes Cup. In what was a typically cold and windy Palmerston North fixture, both teams again struggled to get much going and despite having a chance to come out on top went down 10 - 3. Gisborne BHS followed with the need for a confidence boost heading into Hastings BHS, and that is what the team got with some strong attacking rugby and sound defensive effort to secure a 34 - 7 victory. Heading into the Hastings BHS fixture it was 1 v 3 on the Super 8 ladder and the team knew that a victory here would go a long way to securing a spot in the Super 8 final. Hastings BHS had been travelling very well, heading in unbeaten. Once again it was a close contest with the defensive effort of both teams outstanding. It took until the 24th minute for the first points to be scored with Zak McDonald crossing for the first try, before Hastings replied quickly in the 28th minute for the scores to be locked at 7 - 7 at halftime. The tight tussle resumed in the second half with both teams creating small opportunities, but with neither able to capitalise until 11 minutes into the second half, when Hastings crossed for what would prove to be the decisive try which they then converted to take a 14 - 7 lead that they would not relinquish.
After the holiday break the team headed into the last two games of the Super 8 campaign playing for pride, knowing that a final spot was out of contention. A trip to Napier would see the team involved in another tight contest, and after taking the early lead the score would see-saw throughout the match. However, Napier were able to land a telling blow with 4 minutes to play that would see them take the match 27 - 24. Rotorua BHS was the last game of the season and despite being out of the contest for the Super 8 competition, the Moascar Cup was on the line which was motivation enough for the team. Again the 1st XV were the first to score after 10 minutes to take a 7 - 0 lead. Rotorua replied with two tries of their own quickly after. The 1st XV had a sustained period of attack prior to half time inside the Rotorua BHS 22. However, they were unable to take advantage of this, and a handling error saw Rotorua race down the other end to score and take a 17 - 7 lead into the break. The two sides traded tries early in the second half before the 1st XV threw caution to the wind as they looked to come away with the win. In doing so errors crept in and Rotorua BHS were able to capitalise to add a few tries to the score. The end result was a 43 - 14 loss, which was not at all indicative of the match that had played out.
This resulted in the team finishing 5th in the Super 8 competition. The team had created opportunities throughout to challenge the top sides and stake a claim as title contenders, but it was not to be. The National Knockout Competition was next on the calendar, but this was cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown. It was a disappointing way to finish the season, particularly for the Year 13 boys who were looking forward to running out on the Gully one last time.
We had a number of boys make representative sides with Peter Te Kahu, Che Potaka, Jacob Mitchell, Patrick Howlett, and Zak McDonald making the Chiefs U18 squad, with Cullum Tito, Samuela Vakadula and Siri Rova named as standby players. Further to this, Che Potaka was named in the New Zealand Maori U18 squad to play New Zealand Secondary Schools and the New Zealand Barbarians U18 sides.
To the boys that have finished their journey here at NPBHS and with the 1st XV we wish you well in your future endeavours and know that at some point you will be back at the Gully to watch future 1st XV sides play with as much pride and dedication as you have shown during your time in the jersey.
As with any year there are many people who help out with the 1st XV: First of all to the coaches: Mr Ricky Tito, Mr Brad Cooper, Mr Chris Luke, and Mr Max Maaka. Thank you for the time and effort you have put into the side over the year. It is not just the work on the training paddock, but the time and effort you put into the boys to help them through life and school, or even just to have the time for a chat.
Thank you to our sponsors: BTW Company, WR Phillips, Bounceback Physio, Phoenix Shipping, Metalcraft, and BHL Feeds. Without your support of our school and the 1st XV we would not be in the position we are today.
Thank you to the families of the players for the support and dedication you show to the team. A number of parents have travelled up and down the country to support the team and it is greatly appreciated by players and management alike.
Last of all thank you to the players who have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort into the school and the 1st XV jersey. You have all left your own mark on the side and been a part of continuing the fine tradition that is 1st XV Rugby at New Plymouth Boys’ High School.
Mr Kayne Dunlop
1st XV Manager