First XV rugby: St Kentigern crush King’s to power into Auckland 1A lead

Perhaps as beaten finalists for the past three years, St Kentigern still have to shake off a reputation as a team that stumbles at the final hurdle, but every week their fundamentals are irrefutably impressive.

They have now scored 259 points in four matches to retain their lead on goal difference (over Kelston Boys’ High School) in the 1A championship.

Elsewhere, Kelston battled to a 29-17 win over ninth-placed Dilworth School, Auckland Grammar School remained in third with a 46-6 victory over St Paul’s College, and fourth-placed St Peter’s College survived a scare to beat 11th-placed Liston College 31-29 in the day’s tightest contest.

And with Sacred Heart College and Mt Albert Grammar School also chalking up wins, after four rounds the table has effectively been split into top-six, bottom-six groupings before the King’s Birthday break.

St Kentigern captain and centre Leofe Usufono led the way with two tries and a couple of assists against King’s, being either evasive or abrasive as the situation demanded, and by fulltime, his team had a points differential of 214 on the 1A table.

St Kentigern skipper Leofe Usufono breaks through for his first try.

After St Kentigern hooker Connor Mackie opened the scoring early with a trademark maul try, King’s replied instantly with a penalty try after fine combinations from front rowers Kavelle Wiki-Rawiri and skipper Christopher Hatch.

But Usufono, of Samoan heritage and a member of last year’s Blues Under-18 Development Squad, showed he was plenty developed as he broke through four tackles to re-establish a St Kentigern lead that was never again challenged.

On the left wing, the younger Maselusi Usufono was almost as dangerous and chipped in with two tries, while others to cross were front-rowers Connor Mackie and Sau Manu, halfback Keanu Graham from a quick tap before later going off with an injured wrist, muscular No 8 Toni Tuuhoko-Pole, sub D’Angelo Mikaele, and finally right winger Owen Lamb, wrestling his way over as his limbs cramped up. Fullback Cortez Kirkpatrick was a killer with five penalties.

St Kentigern had complete dominance in the scrums, at one point in the first half earning four consecutive penalties from them.

It was a tough day out for King’s, who were dominated in all departments and by the end the gulf between the teams was wider than St Kentigern’s Wilson Bay farm.

But among the wreckage, King’s Year 11 openside Donnell Collins is a player to watch, while first five Ricoh Wilson has great potential.

Over the past decade, King’s and St Kent’s have split their meetings five each. Among the more notable scorelines, St Kentigern won 44-5 in 2023 and King’s 52-19 in 2019.

Loosehead prop Sau Manu about to score for St Kentigern after collecting an inside pass.

St Kentigern’s biggest win against King’s was 50-0 in 2000 when they were 1A runners-up to Auckland Grammar, while their 2012 National Top Four-winning team, which won all 20 matches, trounced King’s 41-0. So this result stands tall in historic context.

Post-match there was also a welcoming back of members of the St Kentigern 1965 and 1966 First XV teams, alongside their King’s counterparts of the same seasons, to mark the 60-year anniversary.

St Kentigern’s home match against Auckland Grammar on June 6 should be a cracker.

Grammar had star centre Nico Stanley back from injury for the first time this season but it was his younger brother Zac Stanley, on the right wing, who starred with three tries in their 40-point win over St Paul’s.

No 8 Ashton Kirke made his presence felt with two tries, while prop William Chambers Steward and sub Arli Hokai also got on the scoresheet. For St Paul’s, fullback Siokatame Kali kicked two penalties.

Grammar face Hamilton Boys’ High School away in a traditional fixture on Wednesday.

Grammar are now unbeaten in nine 1A games (including the 32-32 draw with eventual champions King’s in the 2025 semi-final). Not that they will be interested in such stats. According to reports last week, education is Grammar’s prime focus and sport is an extracurricular activity.

Rugby is more intrinsic to life at Va’aiga Tuigamala Field, where Kelston enjoyed their first home match of the season, staying level at the top through their bonus-point win over Dilworth, who can be a tricky proposition this season.

There were tries from forwards Logan Bernard, Nikau Wright and Satali Fretton and an excellent finish in the right-hand corner from fullback Jeremiah Toleafoa from a move set up by hooker Zak Schramm.

Dilworth benefited from a first-half penalty try and a 62nd-minute effort from skipper Solomon Westerlund, which kept it interesting.

St Peter’s made it three wins out of four away to Liston College after leading 19-17 at the break.

For St Peter’s, there were two tries apiece to skipper Tua Tupua’i-Soti and openside Karcin Puna, and one to No 8 Logan-John Sao. Consolation for Liston was securing their first two (bonus) points of the season, through four tries and losing by fewer than seven points.

Sacred Heart were untroubled in beating Botany Downs Secondary College 62-0, despite making 10 changes to their starting line-up.

The only players to keep their starting positions from a week earlier were skipper Keanu Simpson, halfback Koia Cook, centre Soane Ma’asi and wing Troy Hola, with Zion Bidois shifting from wing to fullback. Ten different Sacred players duly scored tries, which you can attribute to either strategic coaching brilliance or a mismatch.

Mt Albert Grammar also made it three wins out of four with a 48-14 home win over seventh-placed De La Salle College. For Mt Albert, openside Rhys Wilkinson scored two tries while skipper and halfback Dylan Yare got one, as did sub Jarno Andrewes.

For De La Salle, there was a try in each half to skipper Folau Sii and second five-eighths Liam Fanolua.

Auckland 1A points: St Kentigern 20, Kelston 20, Auckland Grammar 19, St Peter’s 17, Sacred Heart 16, Mt Albert Grammar 13, De La Salle 5, King’s College 5, Dilworth 4, St Paul’s 2, Liston 2, Botany Downs 0. (No matches King’s Birthday weekend.)

Rosmini return to form

Second-placed Rosmini College bounced back from their loss to Westlake Boys’ High to hammer usually-dangerous Whangārei Boys’ High School 50-7 and stay in touch at the top of the Kyocera-sponsored North Harbour 1A competition.

That result allowed Rangitoto College to climb into third place with a 41-7 home win over Mahurangi College, while leaders Westlake Boys’ High School were untroubled in beating Takapuna Grammar School 64-8.

Stars for Rosmini were No 8 Luchian Opperman with three tries and second five-eighths Lachlan Murray with two, while prop Charlie Ryder also crossed the line. For Whangārei, centre Casey Wright scored a first-half try, which he also converted.

First five Campbell Bibbie and second five Chase Kirkland scored two tries each in Rangitoto’s win over Mahurangi, whose only reply came early from flanker George Innes.

Westlake ran in 10 tries against Takapuna Grammar, with electric Fijian winger Yisrael Tukania grabbing two of them.

Takapuna have only beaten Westlake four times since the inception of the North Harbour competition in 1985. The game was a traditional fixture between 1962 and 1995, with Westlake leading 21-7.

In the closest match of the day Ōrewa College beat Massey High 26-22. There were four tries apiece, with the difference being the kicking of Ōrewa halfback Conor McCleery, who nailed three conversions as well as scoring a try himself.

But bottom-placed Massey at least collected their first two bonus points from the contest, with flanker Shaun Butler leading the way with two tries.

North Harbour draw (home team first): Ōrewa v Rangitoto, Thursday, May 28, 3.30pm. Saturday, May 30 (all noon): Takapuna v Rosmini; Mahurangi v Whangārei; Massey v Westlake. Points: Westlake 25, Rosmini 21, Rangitoto 16, Whangārei 14, Mahurangi 11, Ōrewa 10, Takapuna 4, Massey 2.

‘Notorious’ Gregor on an epic Wellington College win

Connar “Notorious” Gregor of Wellington College.

A “Notorious” chapter has been written in the annals of the capital’s oldest secondary school rugby match.

Wellington College rallied from 26-12 down to retain the Centennial Shield for a sixth consecutive time with an engrossing 31-26 victory against St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Town), to start the Wellington Premiership.

And Wellington’s openside flanker Connar “Notorious” Gregor entered college folklore as he scored a try and supplied the last pass for fullback Tom Hughson, sparking Wellington’s resurgence.

“I set a few goals before the game: get physical, add impact. I wanted to put on a show,” Gregor said. “I came on with about 25 minutes to go. We did a drive for my try. I was supposed to give it back to the hooker but got greedy. We both ended up on the floor so it really belongs to both of us.

“With Tom’s try, I wasn’t sure whether to give it or go. I guess I made the right decision.”

The Petone junior transferred from Hutt Valley High School in 2025, which meant he was unable to play in the premiership last season because of the “new to school rule”.

However, the aspiring police officer, who enjoys English, managed to play in pre-season and traditional fixtures. Against Tauranga Boys’ College, he was given the nickname “Notorious” by the Huddy Sports commentary after some rugged play and because of his name’s similarity to Irish mixed martial artist Conor “Notorious” McGregor.

But it was two former All Blacks, Wellington coaches Neemia Tialata and Piri Weepu, who were throwing vocal punches at halftime.

With a combined pack weight of 864kg, 343 First XV games, and 17 Year 13s, Town were more confident, mature and dynamic. They rocketed to a 14-point advantage. Tries were scored by Charlie Carter, Remy Fitisemanu, Zack “Zoom” Kimmins and Anaru Siohane-Hune.

“They definitely came at us with a lot of aggression and surprised us with their speed,” Gregor said.

“We’ve got a lot of leaders and trust each other though. I played with Joe Barry in the Second XV last year. He was awesome then and helped change the game by coming on at first five and getting us good field position.”

Town conceded penalties faster than Moa Point spills sewage, while Gregor’s vital interventions closed the deficit to 26-24.

The winning moment came in the 63rd minute. Captain and second five-eighths Ben Faitala speared through an initial blue wall and, with three right-foot side steps, left St Patrick’s College crumbling.

“Yeah, nah, it was pretty hectic,” Faitala told Sky Sport afterwards.

“It was awesome,” Gregor added. “He does things like that every game.”

Still, there was time for Town to fight back, which they did, slogging ahead manfully in their last salvo until they were held up over the Wellington tryline.

After a consultation between the referees, time was called, and the terraces on Dufferin St erupted like Arsenal supporters celebrating their English Premier League win earlier that morning. Wellington won the Centennial Shield for the 86th time, with the last of Town’s 47 wins in 2020. There have been eight draws.

“I was on the side of the ruck when they went over. I’m genuinely not sure if they scored. It was Fritz [Z’Kdeus Schwalger] who stopped them,” Gregor said.

“I think it helped that we played the National champions, Rotorua, the previous Saturday. Their physicality is next level. We now know what to expect in the big games.

“My family actually billeted their head boy and captain, Te Ariki Rogers. He’s a beast, but so nice. He even offered to do the dishes.”

Gregor, who scored a try against Rotorua, is one of four siblings. His mum, Katrina, manages an after-hours emergency service, and his stepdad, Scott, manages a building business.

“Notorious. The boys have embraced it,” Gregor said, “I love it, eh.”

St John’s roll Feilding

St John’s College (Hamilton) have pulled off the upset of the Central North Island championship in overcoming defending champions and Sanix World Youth Rugby Tournament finalists Feilding High School 26-5 at The Dog Pound.

Victory earned The Johnnies the Rick T. Francis Memorial Shield, which they will now defend against Wesley College – 22-10 winners over Matamata College – on June 6.

This was Feilding’s first defeat in nine games and heaviest since a 38-12 loss to St John’s in 2022 – though they still lead the head-to-head series 6-5.

St John’s neutralised most of Feilding’s strengths and played to their own with a disciplined display to register their second win of this campaign.

The match was scoreless until the 26th minute when St John’s survived big scrum pressure to feed left wing William Hayde, who squirmed over in the corner.

And while Feilding blindside Monty Gibson briefly drew his team level from a lineout drive, it was all St John’s on the scoreboard from then on, with tries to second five Ollie Penfold, hooker Arlee Hewlett and right wing Lluteru Leilua.

On Thursday, St Paul’s Collegiate host St Peter’s in a top-of-the-table clash where the Jed Rowlands Cup is at stake and both schools warmed up for this with comfortable wins.

St Peter’s beat Francis Douglas Memorial College 42-17 away, thanks to a big second half, and now lead them 11-5 in all matches. St Paul’s defeated St John’s Hastings 36-0 and have won all 14 matches against them.

Central North Island draw (home team first, all noon): Wednesday, May 27: Lindisfarne v Whanganui. Thursday: St Paul’s v St Peter’s. Points: St Peter’s 19, St Paul’s 18, Wesley 14, Feilding 10, St John’s Hamilton 10, Lindisfarne 8, Francis Douglas 5, Matamata 5, Whanganui 0, St John’s Hastings 0.

Super 8 champs and New Plymouth Boys’ High hit record form

Palmerston North Boys’ High fullback Manaia Rudolph scores against Gisborne.

When aptly-named halfback Paice Mitchell-Hope burst 60m after three minutes to score for defending Super 8 champions Palmerston North Boys’ High School against Gisborne Boys’ High School, it was a precursor of what was to come.

Eleven tries and eight conversions later, the hosts had set a school record with 71 points against Gisborne, who fell just short of their worst Super 8 concession of 80 against Hamilton Boys’ in 2020.

Palmerston North were expected to win this match, having prevailed 53-8 last year and not lost the fixture since a 29-27 defeat in 2016. However, the margin of victory with an almost entirely new forward pack was eye-watering.

Most of Palmerston’s tries came from deep inside their own territory. It was fast, fluid, skilful rugby that identified space and exploited it. By halftime the score had blown out to 40-14. Mitchell-Hope raised the half-century in the 46th minute with another long-range surge.

Centre Caden Pardey bagged four tries and could have collected three more, unselfishly distributing to those in better positions. Balanced, cool and swift, Pardey could nudge the New Zealand Schools selection.

First five-eighths Micah Steinmetz and fullback Manaia Rudolph often injected themselves with devastating effect, and both shared the sizeable goalkicking duties. Loosehead Max Hill and No 8 and captain Ollie Read spearheaded a turbo-charged forward effort.

To their credit, Gisborne managed a four-try bonus point, with tries from Lea’asi Tupou, Coen-Theros Brown, Rori Fukushima-Hall and Kahutia Crawford. First five-eighths Ruan Ludwig kicked all four conversions. While the visitors had enough possession, their defence was flimsy.

Meanwhile, New Plymouth Boys’ High School stunned Hastings Boys’ High School 40-24 on the road. It was their biggest win against Hastings since a 71-21 defeat in 2013, when Hastings were in a rut of three wins in 56 Super 8 matches.

New Plymouth’s victory was their fourth in the last 32 Super 8 fixtures. In the same span, Hastings have won 18 matches.

The game turned just before halftime when New Plymouth winger Coredae Wipiiti-Boylan responded to an exhilarating length-of-the-field try by Hastings first five-eighths Mika Iosa with two of his own, flipping a 14-7 deficit into a 21-14 lead.

In the 31st minute, he caught a Bastien Lallemand cross-kick and two minutes later pounced on a Hastings’ spillage to sprint 40m. In the second half, Wipiiti-Boylan struck again with an interception from a similar range. Then, in the 68th minute, with New Plymouth 35-24 ahead, he made a surging run that cleared the path for replacement Richie Van Praagh to clinch it.

New Plymouth were unlucky not to beat Wellington Premiership champions St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, on May 14, but were more clinical in this outing.

Lallemand scored a try by bobbing and weaving in the 37th minute, slotted five conversions, and led an excellent collective backline display. Locks Blake Nicholls and Brody Leicester tore into their work. Hastings created plenty of chances and right winger John Rature scored a hat-trick, but they were left to rue moments of panic.

‘Gutsy little fellas’ surprise in Wellington Premiership

Hutt International Boys’ School (Hibs) coach Scott Ashton was elated after his “very gutsy little fellas” rallied from 27-7 down to stun St Bernard’s College 32-27 in the opening round of the Wellington Premiership.

Despite a 107-10 grading-round thumping of Tawa College last Saturday, Ashton wasn’t sure his team would accept their position in the top flight with only three genuine front-rowers, two of whom are Year 11.

However, against the beefy and belligerent Lower Hutt side, Hibs caught fire in the second spell and achieved a memorable victory.

“Unreal from our young boys,” Ashton said. “We came over the top of them with fitness and flair. I can’t single anyone out for praise. They all stepped up today. I’m a pretty happy coach.”

In 2023, Hibs made the Premiership semi-finals for the first time. The following season, they lost all nine matches, five by less than a converted try. In 2025, they beat the five schools below them, including St Bernard’s, but with only three players back from last year compared with St Bernard’s 20, the outcome was a genuine surprise.

St Bernard’s had banked a four-try bonus point by halftime with three of those tries clearly showing intent, scored by hooker Finlay Bosworth, prop Tau James-Fonoti and No 8 Lachlan Wallis.

In a seemingly hopeless position, Hibs chose to throw caution to the wind, the contrast in styles evident as winger Ben Park raced in for a hat-trick, though hooker Beau Gallagher secured the winner in the 70th and last minute.

In other matches, St Patrick’s Silverstream steamrolled to a 19th consecutive victory, 59-0 against Wairarapa College. It’s the 11th time in that sequence they have passed 50 points in a match.

Silverstream had nine individual try scorers in Jesper Pedersen, Shae Taitua, Bezalel Fereti, Ryder Thompson, Mea’Ole Ma’i, Troy Waldrom, Zion Masua, Jahvaan Hunt and Oakley Time. Jaxon Ropitini kicked seven conversions.

Scots College made an encouraging start by mauling Mana College 61-12, scoring 11 tries but converting only three. Loose forwards Thomas Lambie and Owen Cosgrove both crossed twice. A brace to rampant No 8 Jone Ralulu was the highlight of a 35-5 romp by Rathkeale College over Rongotai College.

Tries galore and last-minute glory in South Island Boys’ Schools Network

A staggering 40 tries and 322 points were scored in Saturday’s four South Island Boys’ Schools Network matches, with three games decided by four points or less.

Otago Boys’ High School beat Shirley Boys’ High School 45-41 with a last-play try, and Christ’s waited until the 66th minute to pass King’s High School 42-41.

At Littlebourne in Dunedin, it was four tries apiece and 24-24 at halftime between Otago and Shirley. Hooker Charlie Hore scored two tries for the hosts. Shirley’s first five-eighths Caleb Harrison (16 points) was in rare form and his second try put the side 36-24 ahead after 40 minutes.

The visitors held the lead until their discipline fractured. A try from halfway by Otago winger Coen Breen was a generous giveaway at 36-29. Then a series of ruck penalties allowed Otago’s suffocating lineout to advance, with replacement hooker Ruben Karawana snatching a winner in the 74th minute.

Christ’s and King’s shared five lead changes. A botched clearance by King’s, capitalised on by Christ’s, was the defining moment. In the 65th minute, halfback Jaxon Moeahu threw a terrible pass into his own in-goal area, which Lafa Tofiga cleaned up on the volley. Tofiga scrambled a kick to the 22, fielded by George Wood. The replacement outside back darted to within a whisker of the tryline.

With King’s stretched, Christ’s almost butchered it with a poor pass to unmarked Henry Botherway, who held his nerve with a low scoop. With a sixth straight conversion, Jackson Grace lifted Christ’s to their first win.

Initially, Christ’s barrelled ahead 28-12 with Hoani-Manuera Kahukiwa scoring three tries and contributing to a fourth. The centre is easily the biggest of the pint-sized backline.

King’s took control in the second spell with playmaker Tofiga and captain and second five Zane Rakete-Grey, a potent tandem. Together, they scored three of King’s seven tries; however, Tofiga missed four shots at goal.

At times, King’s used their size to good effect, with tries also scored by loosehead prop Semisi Fakataha and lock Kaia Pattison.

Marlborough Boys’ College outscored St Thomas of Canterbury College six tries to five but lost 38-36 on account of inferior goalkicking. St Thomas first five-eighths Pesamino Ella landed all five conversions and a 69th-minute penalty in a competitive tussle in which St Thomas were passed after a 29th-minute try to Christiano Ella.

Marlborough prop Mason Nicklin played the whole encounter and scored twice. His brother Rico Nicklin was a New Zealand Māori U18 representative last year.

Christchurch Boys’ stayed unbeaten and retained the Trustbank Cup, thrashing Nelson College 55-24. Centre William Brown struck the jackpot with 25 points.

In the Crusaders First XV competition era, which began in 2001, Christchurch have a 26-13 record against Nelson, with three draws.

South Island Points: Christchurch 20, Southland, 17, St Thomas, 12, Timaru 11, Otago 10, St Bede’s 9, Marlborough 9, Shirley 9, Christ’s 8, King’s 7, Nelson 5.

A southern tradition revived

A tradition was revived in Invercargill when Southland Boys’ High School hosted Timaru Boys’ High School in their first game since 2003.

Southland won that match 29-19 and prevailed 40-28 in the fourth round of the South Island Boys Schools Network (SIBSN) Championship on Wednesday. It was the highest-scoring game between the pair since a 41-31 Southland win in 2000.

Southland, winners of three consecutive matches, made an explosive start.

Tighthead Elliot Wilson snatched a turnover to stop a threatening incursion. The ball quickly spread to left wing Jackson Timaloa, who swatted aside multiple defenders, Southland stampeding into the visiting 22.

From the left touchline, two passes put Southland over in the opposite corner with Cruz Swain finishing. He’s done a Leicester Faingaʻanuku by switching from midfield to flanker and scored a 20th-minute try, muscling in the confines of the tighter exchanges.

This is where the always-trailing, always-honest Timaru made most of their headway. Except for a spiral pass from second five-eighths Zy Woodham that freed winger Lian Konetze, their tries were attritional efforts from the forwards.

Openside Miles Henriksen (two) and lock G.P. Van Heerden profited from their labour, with the former yet again colossal. Woodham has now kicked eight consecutive conversions.

Southland had more pizzazz out wide with midfielder Finn Hurley slotting in seamlessly at 10. Meanwhile, a bruising 32nd-minute try from Caleb Harvey, bumping off four would-be tacklers, saw the centre christened “Creatine” by local commentators.

Southland’s lineout was coldly efficient with hooker Simpson Stevenson rumbling over twice. Jack “King of Herbert St” Brook kicked five conversions.

The fixture was an annual event from 1913 to 2003. Timaru won the first game 19-0 and dominated the early history of the rivalry, winning 27 of the first 39 games, including a 44-3 thumping in 1935.

When legendary coach Clive Williams assumed the reins of the Southland First XV, the script flipped with Southland winning 20 of the next 22 games, including a 62-0 whitewash in 1985 that was so one-sided the contest was called off early. Overall, Southland have a 43-31 winning advantage with four draws.

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