Mexted's lineout prowess and graft...

Scots College was the most flamboyant First XV in New Zealand in 2014.

They hardly kicked the ball and adopted a 'run it from anywhere' attitude that yielded 116 tries in 21 games.

To successfully play such an audacious style of rugby requires honest forwards and lock Henry Mexted is the epitomy of that.

Mexted's lineout prowess and graft was a key part of Scots triumphs last year. It earned him selection for the Wellington Under-18's. They were unbeaten in their representative fixtures.

Ironically for a player that avoids headlines,  Mexted was the leading try scorer (along with Thomas Umaga-Jensen) for Scots at the Sanix World Youth Invitation tournament in Japan recently.

Mexted crossed for five tries in six games, including a hat-trick in the quarter final against Josho Gakuen High School.

"It was nice to score a few tries," Mexted says,

"I have been working hard on my ball carrying and support play."

Scots scored 41 tries in Japan and prior to departure 97 points in two games against Press Cup semi-finalists, Nelson College and Marlborough Boys' College. However they came unstuck in the semi-finals against Brisbane Boys' Grammar School. What went wrong?

"We conceded a try in the first-minute from a charge down and a penalty a short time later to fall behind, 10-0. They were really good at restricting us and we never recovered, " Mexted says.

Though disappointed to fall short of the world title, Mexted said the trip was a great for the First XV.

"It was great to spent a lot of time together and play six games in a week. One of the reasons we were so successful last year was because of the strong chemistry within the team. Everybody got a run in Japan and we established some patterns for the season ahead."

The tournament was won by Paarl Boys' High School from South Africa. Mexted admits Scots would have loved a crack at the South Africans.

"They were a big side, but no different from playing big sides in New Zealand like Hamilton Boys' High School."

"It was a challenge and a privilege to play so many prestigious rugby schools' in Japan. That was the highlight of the trip for me."

Scots also visited the Nagasaki bomb site and Fukuoka maul while finding time to adjust to the local diet.

 "The diet was interesting. There was a lot of rice, rice three times a day. By the end of the week big Alex Fidow could use chopsticks, but he was going stir crazy for some meat."

Henry's father Alan is a former Wellington representative. His uncle is former All Black Murray Mexted.

Scots defence of their Wellington title starts on May 23rd when they tackle St. Pats Town in a Moascar Cup defence on the Rugby Channel.


Scots In Japan

v Kyoto Seisho HS 
Result: win 28 - 15 (HT: 14 - 0)
Tries: A Cannons (2), T Umaga-Jensen, M Manuao 
Conversions: P Umaga-Jensen (4)

v Saga Technical HS 
Result: win 54 - 15 (HT: 26 - 10)
Tries: C Garden-Bachop (3), T Umaga-Jensen, A Fidow, J Schuster, E Dunlop, S Sovea 
Conversions: M Manuao (7)

v Earl Marriott Secondary School 
Result: win 74 – 3 (HT: 15 - 3)
Tries: J Loader (3), P Umaga-Jensen (2), J Boswell, T Umaga-Jensen, H Mexted, T Prescott, A Cannons, T Woods, D Meiklejohn 
Conversions: P Umaga-Jensen (6), M Manuao

Quarter final v Josho Gakuen HS 
Result: win 55 – 12 (HT: 29 – 7)
Tries: H Mexted (3), P Umaga-Jensen , J Boswell, A Cannons, A Fidow, H Mexted, M Manuao 
Conversions: P Umaga-Jensen (5)

Semi-Final v Brisbane Boys GS
Result: loss 8 – 34 (HT: 8 - 20)
Tries: J Royal 
Penalty: M Manuao

Third Place v Truro College (UK) 
Result: win 45 - 7 (HT: 19 - 0)
Tries: T Umaga-Jensen (2), P Umaga-Jensen, H Mexted, J Schuster, C Garden-Bachop, M Manuao 
Conversions: P Umaga-Jensen (5)

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