23/6/2015 The Winning Habit or Win at All costs![]() The climax to the 2013 1A final at Eden Park between St. Kentigern College and Auckland Grammar School was as dramatic as it gets. St. Kent's, defending a 49-game unbeaten streak, won a penalty with the last play. The kick was 40-meters out, on a slight angle. Step forward William Raea. The diminutive fly-half was on the edge of his range, but slotted the goal to win the championship. Standing immediately to the right of Raea was Year 11 Dalton Papalii. Papalii recalls his reaction. "It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I jumped on him and gave him a kiss. I didn't think he would get it. It was just the most surreal feeling when he kicked the goal. It's the best game I have played for St. Kent's," he says. "I think I coughed without covering my mouth before the kick. I was so nervous. The extra oxygen got the ball over," Papalii laughs. Papalii is used to getting over the top of opponents. He made his debut for the First XV in 2012 against St. Peter's College. In four years in the First XV he has won a National Top Four Championship, a Sanix World Youth Championship and only suffered defeat three times. The loose forward is First XV captain this year. How does he handle the pressure of being the captain of such a successful team? "There is a lot of pressure to perform, but we don't get too far ahead of ourselves. We focus on one game at a time," he says. "It's a privilege to captain the First XV. There is good support around me and it's a privilege to have played with guys like Blake Gibson, TJ Faiane and Sione Mafileo. They bring out the best in you." St. Kent's has an active scholarship program for leading rugby talent. Papalii insists this isn't the only reason why they are on a 12-game winning streak at present and have put together 91 wins in 97 games since 2011. "We work really hard. You can talk about working hard and then you can actually work hard. We are lucky we are well-resourced, but we use that to our advantage. We watch a lot of footage and are always seeking to improve," he says. Papalii concedes losing the 1A final to Auckland Grammar School last year was hard to take. "I hate losing. It's just the most empty feeling. Credit to Grammar, they are a great side and played well, but I hope I never feel like that again." Papalii started his rugby at openside where his quickness and strength over the ball was a real asset, but in recent times he has switched to No.8 as a growth in stature has improved his ball carrying prowess. Papalii has been a regular Auckland age group rep and last year made the Blues Under-18 squad. He is originally from a league background having played for the Pakuranga Jaguars, but he has his sights firmly set on rugby. "I would like to make one of the New Zealand teams at the end of the year, but at the moment I am worried about the next game," he says. In his spare time Papalii enjoys the outdoors, especially hunting. His name is of Samoan, Kiwi and Irish extraction. Comments are closed.
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