Zae Wallace wins Player of the Year at SAS College Rugby League awards

Westlake Boys’ High School’s Zae Wallace has been named the SAS College Rugby League Player of the Year at the Auckland Rugby League awards breakfast this morning.

The 17-year-old year 13 student played a starring role for the school this year, qualifying for the championship division before falling short of making the major semi-finals.

Wallace was also awarded halfback of the year in the SAS College Rugby League 1st XIII Team of the Year.

"The college competition has been awesome this year," said Wallace.

"There was a lot more competition with schools like Wesley College coming up to compete so it's been great.

"I'm happy with the award but I wouldn't be here without the team and their hard work this season."


Already a valued team member of the Mt Albert premier team, Wallace says he's now focusing on club footy and the SAS Fox Memorial competition.

"I'm not sure what the future holds for me, but I know I need to work hard until I get to where I want to be," he said.

Junior Fiu from St Paul's College was awarded Coach of the Year for the Premier competition while Kelston's Michelle Keenan was awarded Manager of the Year.

Tamaki's Raven Takerei won top try scorer with 10 tries, while Wesley's standoff, who was also named in the 1st XIII Team of the Year Adam Pompey took home top goal kicker with 17.

In the U/15 nine-aside competition Saunoa Mika from Aorere College topped the try-scoring with nine, sharing top points scored (42 points) with Semesi Ahoatu from Onehunga High School.

MVP was awarded to Jake Rutherford from Henderson High School.

In the U/85kg competition Mangere College swept the major awards with Lucas Maiko winning top try scorer (5 tries), Raven Tongafofoa winning top goal kicker (5 goals) and Maiko also sharing top points scored (20 points each) with team mate John Korenato.

Vanguard Military School were awarded the fair play school award for the Senior A competition while Aorere's Diaz Tauhia was awarded MVP.

The SAS College Rugby League finals for the Championship, Plate and Bowl competitions will be played this Wednesday August 10 at Mt Smart Stadium #2.
Full list of winners below.

U/15 nine-aside

Top try scorer (9 tries) – Saunoa Mika (Aorere College)
Top points scorer (Joint award – 42 points) – Semesi Ahoatu (Ohehuna High School) and Saunoa Mika (Aorere College)
Manager of the Year – Lynne Van Etten (Avondale College)
Coach of the Year – Fita Hala (St Paul’s College)
MVP – Jake Rutherford (Henderson High School)

U/85kgs

Top try scorer (5 tries) – Lucas Maiko (Mangere College)
Top goal kicker (5 goals) – Raven Tongafofoa (Mangere College)
Top points scorer (Joint award – 20 points each) – John Korenato (Mangere College) and Lucas Maiko (Mangere College)
Manager of the Year – Carol Andrews (Howick College)
Coach of the Year – Joe Tere (Mangere College)
Fair play award – Howick College (2nd year running)
MVP – Jacob Hollobon (Pakuranga College)

Senior A

Top try scorer (4 tries) – Nathan Schwenke (Selwyn College)
Top goal kicker (5 goals) – Eugene Harris (Selwyn College)
Top points scorer (26 points) – Eugene Harris (Selwyn College)
Manager of the Year – Lee Ryan (Henderson High School)
Coach of the Year – Rod Fielder (Selwyn College)
Fair play award – Vanguard Military School
MVP – Diaz Tauhia (Aorere College)

Premier 1st XIII

Referee of the Year – Aaron Kesha
Top try scorer (10 tries) – Raven Takerei (Tamaki College)
Top goal kicker (17 goals) – Adam Pompey (Wesley College)
Top points scorer (66 points) – Raven Takerei (Tamaki College)
Manager of the Year – Michelle Keenan (Kelston Boys’ High School)
Coach of the Year – Junior Fiu (St Paul’s College)
School Sporting Excellence – Westlake Boys' High School
MVP – Zae Wallace (Westlake Boys' High School)

Team of the Year

Fullback of the Year – Starford Toa (St Paul's College)
Winger of the Year – Joseph Onyeke (Kelston Boys' High School)
Centre of the Year – Fine Inisi (Westlake Boys' High School)
Stand off of the Year – Adam Pompey (Wesley College)
Halfback of the Year – Zae Wallace (Westlake Boys' High School)
Prop of the Year (Joint award) – Utah Ioka (Kelston Boys' High School) and Caleb Uele (Avondale College)
Hooker of the Year – Johnny Falelua-Malio (Kelston Boys' High School)
2nd Rower of the Year – Jirah Momoisea (St Paul's College)
Loose Forward of the Year – Phillip Makatoa (Aorere College)

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