Rangitoto College

Rangitoto College last won the 1A North Harbour title in 1991, successfully defending the title they won in 1990.

Even those sides can't lay claim to an achievement of the 2015 First XV, and that is beating Westlake Boys' High School and Rosmini College in the same season.

No.8 Henry Whitfield is skipper of the team. He has been involved for three years and he admits there has been a seismic shift in the culture of rugby at the school.

"We have earned more respect because we are taking ourselves seriously. A couple of years ago not everybody showed up to practice and we were a bit casual about things. Now everybody shows  up and we believe in ourselves a lot more," Whitfield says.

The change in culture has been driven by coaches Nick Cella and rugby director Dave Thomas. Thomas played for Auckland and has vast experience in the game.

Cella was a long-time Grammar Carlton representative and is much admired by the boys.

"Mr Cella is straight up, in fact he can be a hard guy, but he enjoys a laugh and relates to as really well," Whitfield says.

For the first time in 13 years, Rangitoto beat Westlake, 20-17. The lead changed hands several times, but when Westlake led 17-15 on fulltime it appeared they would deny Rangitoto again. Whitfield explains what happened next.

"I think we were the only ones who believed we could beat Westlake. We really fronted in the forwards and I think they were surprised a bit. In the last-minute we didn't panic. We won a penalty, took a quick tap and out winger Campbell Busby run away and scored. It was brilliant."

Last weekend Rangitoto edged Rosmini 8-7. Second-five Brad Ferguson scored an early try, but Rangitoto fell behind 7-5 and stayed behind for much of the game. With three minutes remaining  Eru Hudson kicked a 25-meter angled penalty and Rangitoto defended stoutly until fulltime.

Whitfield says Rangitoto believes they can win the North Harbour title, but the side "isn't getting carried away." He says every game is tough.


Did You Know?

Whitfield was born in England and rates the Jonny Wilkinson drop goal to win England the 2003 World Cup as the greatest moment he has seen in rugby.

Whitfield's grandfather Roger Whitfield won a bronze medal in the 1000m purist cycling for Great Britain at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth. He also attended the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

Openside Nick Burns scored four tries on Land Rover First XV rugby last year against Birkenhead College. He is the only individual to score four tries on the program.

 
Previous Championship Teams

1990

Captain: Carl Smith

Coaches: Mr. Cutfield, Mr. Fenton

Played: 16

Won: 12

Lost: 4

Notable Wins: St. Paul's College, Westlake BHS, Massey HS, Takapuna GS

Notable Player: Slade MacFarlane (NZ Schools/NZ Schools, 224 first class games)

Top Points Scorer: Andrew Charlesworth

Top Try Scorer: Tom Flinn

North Harbour Age Group: Chris Williams, Steven Muller, Mark Beale, Boyd Gillespie

 
1991

Captain: Boyd Gillespie (Halfback, 4 years in First XV, top try scorer)

Coaches: Mr. Cutfield, Mr. Fenton

Played: 13

Won: 12

Lost: 1

Points For: 225 (35 tries)

Points Against: 74 (6 tries)

Final: Beat Rosmini College, 4-0

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