Rotorua\u2019s previous titles came more than 20 years ago, in 2003 and 2004 and in 2016 they were third, beating England\u2019s Truro College in a playoff.The Fukuoka triumph was the 10th time a New Zealand school has won the title.<\/p>\n
Rotorua Boys\u2019 High acknowledged victory with a posting on their Facebook page: \u201cFrom the first training to the final whistle, our First XV have done it and have officially been crowned champions of the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis journey has been built on hard work, sacrifice, and belief, and it\u2019s been shared by more than just the team. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo our coaches, management, and wh\u0101nau – this is yours too. A moment that will be remembered for a long time. <\/p>\n
\u201cA big mihi to Feilding High School for a hard fought and quality final that showcased the best of both teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cKia whakanuia t\u0113nei angitu nui, he hua n\u014d te kotahitanga me te whakapau kaha.\u201d<\/p>\n
Feilding, who only received a late call-up to the tournament because of the absence of a South African school this year, also expressed satisfaction with their efforts. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to thank the Sanix organisation for their long-term sponsorship of this fantastic tournament and the Japanese Rugby Football Union for running the tournament,\u201d they posted. \u201cIt has been an honour for our players and School to attend the 2026 tournament…<\/p>\n
\u201cTo all the other schools here – both Japanese and international – it has been a real eye opener to see your systems and processes as you prepare your teams ahead of matches. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have learnt a lot here at the tournament and we are grateful to have been able to observe and learn from others. We have never had an opportunity like this before.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the teams that we have played against, thank you for the opportunity to test ourselves against you. The games have been exciting, and we cherish the memories of those matches and we wish you well for all your future matches in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final scoreline was almost an exact replica of that from the National Top Four final last year, when Rotorua won 43-17.<\/p>\n
Rotorua struck first, with a second-minute try to left wing Curtis Frederick, though Feilding briefly edged ahead, 7-5, with hooker Lucas Goodman securing the first of his two tries.<\/p>\n
But Rotorua were ahead 22-12 by half time and there were further tries to No 8 Te Ariki Rogers (2), openside flanker Rylin Rasmussen (2), hooker Patelisio Tavake and sub Samuel Phillips while fullback Loky Chapman made three conversions, first-five Heretaunga Mikaere one, and replacement Michael Rogers kicked a late penalty.<\/p>\n
For Rotorua, Tavake had a barnstorming match, while the efforts of skipper Rogers in nabbing two tries matches his tally from the National Top Four final.<\/p>\n
Rotorua Boys\u2019 High have captured the Sanix World Youth Rugby Championship for the third time, after an emphatic 46-19 victory over Feilding High School in the 2026 final in Fukuoka, Japan.<\/p>\n
During the tournament Rogers notched his 50th appearance for Rotorua and team management online hailed his critical influence.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo shortcuts. No handouts. Just straight grind for the Kura. Week after week, you\u2019ve carried more than just the ball – you\u2019ve carried the mana of this team. Leading from the front, taking the hits, doing the hard stuff most don\u2019t see. That\u2019s what real captains do. This isn\u2019t just a milestone, it\u2019s a legacy being built in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a National Top Four, Moascar Cup, and Sanix World Youth title on his schoolboy resume, Rogers has a Rotorua record comparable to Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Liam Messam, who scored 38 tries in 67 games for the First XV in the early 2000s.<\/p>\n
Another to impress for Rotorua was fullback Loky Chapman, who untangled the Feilding defence in a similar fashion to predecessor Tokoaitua Owen in last year\u2019s National Top Four Final.<\/p>\n
For Feilding, openside Monty Gibson toiled gamely, but the pick of the crop was skipper and hooker Lucas Goodman, who not only showed quality, but was instrumental in setting expectations for his team, scoring two tries.<\/p>\n
Fellow front-rower Tevita Fakava also scored a try, while first-five Tuharakia Wallace-McLeod and replacement Mac Foreman made conversions for Feilding.<\/p>\n
Sanix Final: <\/p>\n
Rotorua 46 (Te Ariki Rogers 2, Rylin Rasmussen 2, Curtis Fredrick, Patelisio Tavake, Samuel Phillips tries; Loky Chapman 3, Heretaunga Mikaere conversions; Michael Rogers penalty) Feilding 19 (Lucas Goodman 2, Tevita Fakava tries; Tuharakia Wallace-Mcleod, Mac Foreman conversions) HT: 22-12 to Rotorua<\/p>\n
Rotorua Boys\u2019 High Sanix squad: Tahu Aumua, Te Irimana Hatu-Edmonds Huriwai, Massey Mills, Te Ariki Rogers, Mason Barry, Samuel Howe, Awanui Owen, John Taufoou, Loky Chapman, Ollie James, Nate Phillips, Patelisio Tavake, Cruze Conroy, Prynce Love, Samuel Phillips, Nicholas Te Wake, Luke Cunningham, Tommy McBeth, Prince Potae, Taowaru Waititi, Curtis Frederick, Heretaunga Mikaere, Rylin Rasmussen, Hiwa Warbrick, Ihaia Goldring, Luke Worsp, Michael Rogers, Te Rauna Webster-Tarei. Coaches: Courtney Mita, Jeremy Te Huia, Tuwharetoa Hapi, Hika Elliot.<\/p>\n
Rotorua\u2019s 2026 Sanix results:<\/p>\n
Beat Osaka Toin High (Japan), 15-14<\/p>\n
Drew with Saga Technical (Japan), 12-12<\/p>\n
Beat Tupou College (Tonga) 22-7<\/p>\n
Beat Tokai University Osaka Gyosei High (Japan) 21-7 <\/p>\n
Beat Feilding High (NZ) 46-19<\/p>\n
Biggest Win for NZ Teams in a Sanix final<\/p>\n
2010: Hamilton BHS beat Truro College (England), 40-8<\/p>\n
2013: St Kentigern College beat Hartpury College (England), 40-8<\/p>\n
Biggest defeats for NZ teams in Sanix final<\/p>\n
2019: Paul Roos Gymnasium (South Africa) beat St Peter\u2019s College, Auckland, 52-5<\/p>\n
2018: Ratu Kadavulevu School (Fiji) beat Hastings Boys\u2019 High School, 35-5<\/p>\n
Seasonal win-loss records of NZ Sanix World Champions (win, loss, draw)<\/p>\n
2003: Rotorua BHS \u2013 21-2-1<\/p>\n
2004: Rotorua BHS \u2013 19-2<\/p>\n
2005: Christchurch BHS – 24-0<\/p>\n
2006: Christchurch BHS \u2013 22-1<\/p>\n
2010: Hamilton BHS \u2013 21-2<\/p>\n
2011: Hamilton BHS \u2013 16-4<\/p>\n
2012: Kelston BHS \u2013 16-6<\/p>\n
2013: St Kentigern College \u2013 23-1-1<\/p>\n
2014: Hamilton BHS \u2013 21-2-2<\/p>\n
2023: Hamilton BHS \u2013 18-2<\/p>\n
Sanix Champions<\/p>\n
2026 Rotorua Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2025 Osaka Toin High School (Japan)<\/p>\n
2024 Osaka Toin High School (Japan)<\/p>\n
2023 Hamilton Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2020-2022: 2022 Cancelled<\/p>\n
2019 Paul Roos (South Africa)<\/p>\n
2018 Ratu Kadavulevu School (Fiji)<\/p>\n
2017 Lycee de la Borde Basse (France)<\/p>\n
2016 Glenwood (South Africa)<\/p>\n
2015 Paul Roos (South Africa)<\/p>\n
2014 Hamilton Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2013 St Kentigern (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2012 Kelston Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2011 Hamilton Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2010 Hamilton Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2009 Dax Landes (France)<\/p>\n
2008 Glenwood (South Africa)<\/p>\n
2007 Westfields Sports (Australia)<\/p>\n
2006 Christchurch Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2005 Christchurch Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2004 Rotorua Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2003 Rotorua Boys\u2019 High (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
2002 Boland Landbou (South Africa)<\/p>\n
2001 Grey College (South Africa)<\/p>\n
2000 Kings Parramatta (Australia)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rotorua\u2019s previous titles came more than 20 years ago, in 2003 and 2004 and in 2016 they were…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":651844,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[9697,64,63,315251,20762,76251,9663,14601,309768,2649,579,1630,4717,34907,25954,760,309769,20637,85,1928,106553,8821,1720,9963],"class_list":["post-651843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-adam","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-beating","tag-boys","tag-bruce","tag-championship","tag-claim","tag-feilding","tag-final","tag-high","tag-holloway","tag-in","tag-julian","tag-rotorua","tag-rugby","tag-sanix","tag-school","tag-sports","tag-their","tag-third","tag-title","tag-world","tag-youth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/651843","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=651843"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/651843\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/651844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=651843"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=651843"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=651843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}