  The curtain falls on the 2019 College Rugby season with this weekend’s 33rd playing of the NZSSCondor 7s tournament. Fifty-six sides will descend on Auckland’s King’s College, who have succeeded Sacred Heart as hosts for the next two years.
In the Boys division, 31 teams will be out to de-throne Hamilton Boys’ High School, who’s six titles overall include the last four. A fifth straight for the Waikato powerhouse would set a record, breaking the tie for consecutive championships they currently share with Kelston Boys’ High School (2011-14). As defending champions Hamilton BHS is the seeded side in Pool A, and should have few issues against Southland’s Gore HS, debutant minnows Mercury Area School out of the Thames Valley region, and Whangarei Boys’ High School in progressing to Sunday’s Cup section. So who are the likely challengers to Hamilton’s crown? Fellow Super 8 school Rotorua Boys’ High School are past winners and certainly have the pedigree and will be hungry after finishing runners-up to their great rivals last year. Scots College and Feilding HS are both perennial contenders though neither have yet claimed this title, having each been runners-up three times. Feilding were beaten quarter-finalists a year ago while Scots fell at the semi-finals, both beaten by Rotorua. However these three all face appreciably different assignments just to make the Cup section; Rotorua are drawn in a tough Pool C with National XV’s Champions Hastings Boys’, 2018 quarter-finalists De La Salle College, and Rangitoto College, with Feilding in Pool D alongside 2018 semi-finalists Sacred Heart, past winners Wesley College, and Christchurch Boys’. By contrast Scots will face St Peter’s, Whanganui Collegiate, and Manurewa HS. Dark horses? Outside of the aforementioned Hastings, Sacred Heart, and De La Salle consider the likes of Timaru Boys’ High School (quarter-finalists the last two years), past winners Kelston and Mt Albert Grammar, Taranaki pair New Plymouth Boys’ High and Francis Douglas, and local side Aorere College. The format is brutal though as without any crossover games only the pool winners will proceed to the Cup section, which will leave some very good sides consigned to the Bowl and Plate sections for Sunday. As one example Rotorua and Hastings will clash in their very first game of the weekend. Four schools; Otago duo Otago Boys’ and Kings HS, past winners Gisborne Boys’, and Westlake Boys’ have all declined their places after qualifying at the regional stage. Their places have been taken by St Peter’s Auckland, Howick College, Pukekohe HS, and Christchurch’s Shirley Boys’. Across in the Girls division, Hamilton Girls’ High have been almost as dominant as their city counterparts winning three titles in the past five years and being runners-up in the other two, and it’s hard to look past them as favourites once again. The chief challengers include some familiar names; 2016 winners St Mary’s (Wellington) have re-tooled while Christchurch Girls’ have been finalists and semi-finalists the past two years and have recent Top 4 15s rugby experience, and Manawatu school Manukura have been in the Cup picture as well. Howick College were perhaps a surprising winner last year but expect them to put up a stout defence of their title. With the Girls game still in a somewhat evolving stage, there’s a host of change from last year's field. For example three schools that made the Cup quarters last year – Gisborne Girls’, Putaruru College, and Sacred Heart New Plymouth – have failed to return in 2019; while others make their debut. That group includes Wellington’s Queen Margaret College, Inglewood HS, Waikato Diocesan, Paeroa College, and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College. Somewhat bizarrely and without any real explanation from the organisers, the Girls draw has not only last year's finalists both in the same pool but also playing each other first-up. In fact Pool B seems inordinately strong, with not just Hamilton and Howick but Southland and New Plymouth Girls’ High’s as well. However, with just 24 teams in six pools a loss in pool play may not prove fatal to a side’s title chances as two “lucky losers” will join the pool winners in progressing to Sunday’s Cup round. The Condor’s tournament got underway today with the two-day Under 15 editions, whereas with the senior event Hamilton Boys’ High and Howick College are the respective defending champions. Open Tournament Pools Boys: Pool A: Hamilton BHS (Wai), Whangarei BHS (Nth), Mercury Bay School (TV), Gore HS (Sth) Pool B: Tauranga BHS (BoP), Marlborough BC (Tas), Aorere College (Akl), Kings College (Akl) Pool C: Rotorua BHS (BoP), Hastings BHS (HB), De La Salle College (Akl), Rangitoto Coll (NH) Pool D: Scots College (Wgn), St Peter’s (Akl), Wanganui Collegiate (Wan), Manurewa HS (C-M) Pool E: Feilding HS (Man), Wesley College (C-M), Christchurch BHS (Can), Sacred Heart (Akl) Pool F: Francis Douglas (Tar), Mt Albert GS (Akl), Pukekohe HS (C-M), Kerikeri HS (Nth) Pool G: New Plymouth BHS (Tar), Kelston BHS (Akl), Lindisfarne College (HB), Shirley BHS (Can) Pool H: Timaru BHS (SC), St Pats Town (Wgn), Palmerston North BHS (Man), Howick College (Akl) Girls: Pool A: Mt Albert GS (Akl), Whangarei GHS (Nth), Waikato Diocesan (Wai), Paeroa College (TV) Pool B: Howick College (Akl), Hamilton GHS (Wai), Southland GHS (Sth), New Plymouth GHS (Tar) Pool C: Manukura (Man), Feilding HS (Man), Kerikeri HS (Nth), Taupo-nui-a-Tia College (KC) Pool D: Christchurch GHS (Can), Aorere College (Akl), Long Bay College (NH), Tauranga GC (BoP) Pool E: St Mary’s College (Wgn), Manurewa HS (C-M), Westlake GHS (NH), Inglewood HS (Tar) Pool F: Motueka HS (Tas), Wesley College (C-M), Lytton HS (PB), Queen Margaret College (Wgn) 30/10/2019 Sopoaga sisters following family footsteps Te Araroa Sopoaga scores for QMC against St Mary's in the Wellington Condor 7s qualifiers. PHOTO: Andy McArthur. With four older rugby playing brothers, including All Black Lima, it is little surprise that Queen Margaret College’s Sopoaga sisters are turning heads on the rugby field. Older sister Te Araroa (year 13) and Naomi (year 10) were both in top form for their school side in Monday’s Wellington Condor 7s qualifying tournament, helping their team book one of two places on offer for the national tournament in December. QMC will join 2016 national Condors champions St Mary’s College in Auckland in early December, after St Mary’s beat QMC 26-10 to win their fifth straight Wellington final. “We were just really happy to qualify for Auckland and play in the national tournament. For all of us as a group, it is just another chance for us to play together in another tournament and hopefully we can do well,” said Te Araroa. The team only came together for the first time this year for Monday’s tournament. The last rugby they played together and that most of them played at all was last year’s Condors qualifiers. “Last year we won a few games but just missed in a couple more. We lost to St Mary’s and Sacred Heart and didn’t get to the semis.” On Monday, QMC opened their tournament with a 20-5 win over Sacred Heart College, before beating St Mary’s 10-7 in their second game, that saw St Mary’s pressing hard in the dying stages before a length of the field breakout try to Paris Lokotui won the match. QMC then beat Wellington East 22-0 and then the St Mary’s second team 24-10 in the semi-final. In the final, St Mary’s 1 burst out of the gates to establish a three-try lead and went on to win. Te Araroa scored for QMC just before halftime, but St Mary’s sealed victory with another second half try. “After the semi-final, we knew we had qualified for the Condors so playing St Mary’s in the final was a good learning curve for us and we took a lot out of it,” enthused Te Araroa. This will be QMC’s first taste of the Condors, but some of the players won’t be lacking for big game experience having excelled on the national stage in other codes such as basketball and netball. Te Araroa spent much of this season playing netball for QMC in the defensive circle with Paris Lokotui who was selected as part of the NZSS netball squad earlier this year. QMC finished fifth in Wellington and 17th of 32 teams and won the Plate final over Lytton High School in September’s Lower North Island Netball Tournament. Te Araroa plays as a small forward in basketball and was a key member of their team that finished fifth at the AA Nationals in Palmerston North at the start of October, after being runner-up to Sacred Heart New Plymouth in the Zone qualifiers. “We lost our quarter-final match at basketball nationals by 2 against Westlake Girls’ High School. Before that we won all our games and topped our pool and beat Hamilton Girls’ High School in a top-of-the-table clash, which was a really big upset.” Te Araroa and Paris (Paris made the basketball nationals tournament team) and several other QMC students are involved in a combination of or all three basketball netball and rugby 7s codes. On top of that, Te Araroa also plays volleyball and a bit of touch rugby. “Except for netball, my sister also Naomi plays all the same sports and in the same teams as me, which is good.” Te Araroa and Naomi are following in the footsteps of their four brothers. Lima is the oldest, followed by Tupou, Ezekiel and Toka. All four went to Wellington College. “I think growing up, just being around them all the time they kind of influenced me to follow and like rugby and I just kind of fell in to playing it when I got the chance to.” Coming up, Te Araroa has four NCEA exams, the last one just before QMC heads off to Condors. Following that she is undecided as to what she will be doing next year – but what is certain is sport will be a big part of it. The Queen Margaret College basketball team that finished runner-up at the AA Nationals was: Rosie Campbell, Samantha Jenkins, Paris Lokotui, Maia Mariner, Sarina Musa, Tia Pavihi, Naomi Sopoaga, Te Araroa Sopoaga, Lilly Taulelei, Rangi Tawera The Queen Margaret College rugby 7s team that qualified for the Condor Nationals in December was (team subject to change for the Condors): Bridget Horgan, Lilly Harris Williams, Ruby Treadwell, Riley Newell, Naomi Sopoaga, Kitana Tawera, Paris Lokotui, Maia Moe Jenkins, Ajah Pritchard Lolo, Jessie Rongen, Te Araroa Sopoaga, Melania Lui-Fa'I, Sarah Caddis, Natalia Bennett  21/10/2019 Kneepens signs with All Black 7s Jacob Kneepkens playing for Francis Douglas Memorial College against New Plymouth Boys' High School earlier this year. Promising New Zealand school-boy player Jacob Kneepkens has signed with the All Blacks Sevens for two years.
The Francis Douglas High School 1st XV co-captain will move to Tauranga to join the sevens programme at the end of the school year. In 2018 Kneepkens was a member of the New Zealand Schools squad, made the tournament team at the Condor Sevens and was MVP at the inaugural Red Bull Ignite7 tournament. The accolades continued this year as he was named in the All Blacks Sevens Development team before returning to play in the New Zealand Schools team for a second campaign. All Blacks Sevens Coach Clark Laidlaw said Kneepkens’ potential was clear to see. “Jacob was part of our development programme earlier this year and we could see what a naturally talented athlete he is. And it’s not only on the field, he has a strong work ethic and is an impressive young man. “It’s exciting to know he will be joining our environment for the next two seasons, we’re looking forward to fostering his development both on and off the field,” said Laidlaw. Kneepkens follows in the footsteps of emerging stars including Rieko Ioane, Vilimoni Koroi and Etene Nanai-Seturo who started their professional rugby careers in the All Blacks Sevens programme. He also follows in the footsteps of such players as the Barrett brothers and current Wellington Lions captain Duplessi Kirifi as Francis Douglas Memorial College players. Two years ago Kneepkens caught the attention of rugby league scouts, signing an academy contract with the Parramatta Eels The squad is preparing for the start of their 2019/2020 season which packs in 10 World Series tournaments before the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Before the first World Series event in Dubai this December the squad will compete at the annual Oceania Sevens in Fiji.   Above and right: Ridge Studd captaining Wellington College against St Pat's Silverstream earlier this year. PHOTO: Club Rugby. “I’m a rugby player not Jamie Oliver,” Ridge Studd responded when asked to explain an injury which kept him out of the Under 18 Centurions representative team for a fortnight. Studd burnt his leg badly while cooking an egg. “I was cooking poached eggs and went to check a Mitre 10 Cup score. When I returned to the kitchen the pot was frothing. I went to switch off the element, but knocked the pot and the water spilled down my leg,” Studd recalled. “It bloody hurt, but I only thought I needed some cold water and a bandage. When my sister got home she insisted I go to the hospital where I was told it was more serious.” Studd is no cook, but he does have the right ingredients on a footy field. Studd was the captain of the Wellington College First XV this season, and though his team struggled, Studd’s consistency at openside flanker was recognised when he was appointed co-captain of the Under 18 Centurions. Studd provides an insight into his leadership philosophy. “As a captain I try to lead by example and bring a die for the jersey approach. In every team there are boys who want to be in the team and boys who really don’t. Although we didn’t win many games at Wellington College, I was lucky to have the support of a lot of boys who brought the same attitude.” The Centurions have brought a positive attitude to the Hurricanes Under 18 provincial tournament. The defending Trust Bank Central Secondary Schools Provincial champions will seek to defend their title on Saturday when they travel to Cooks Gardens to tackle Whanganui Under 18. Whanganui have beaten Poverty Bay (51-22), East Coast (40-14) and the Hawke’s Bay Saracens (41-18) to earn top spot by a point. Whanganui is largely comprised of boys from the Collegiate First XV who had their most successful season in many years. Whanganui beat Wellington College (5-32) at the annual quadrangular tourney in July. “Whanganui were quite niggly, and clever when they were niggly. They were quick to pounce on our mistakes and had a couple of key players who were damaging. The Fijian 8 ran it from everywhere while the 12 was good on attack and defence,” Studd observed.  The Centurions team after their win over the Horowhenua-Kapiti 18s last weekend. The Centurions greatest strength appears to be togetherness and leadership. “We’ve had 36 players in the team this year, all of whom are still part of the team,” Studd stresses. “We’ve got five boys who are first year out of school and some Scots boys who have returned after their season ended. We’ve got leaders across the park which makes good playing a whole lot easier.” The Centurions have had wins over Wairarapa Bush (36-22), the Wellington Samoans (17-12) and Horowhenua-Kapiti (62-10). Last year, the Centurions beat Wairarapa Bush 50-10 in the final, while Whanganui were sixth out of eight teams. Studd, fullback Bill Tamani (Tawa College) and midfielder Sage Shaw-Tait (Scots College) each scored a double in the crushing of Horowhenua-Kapiti. Better usage of territory was the telling factor in the slender success over the Samoans. HIBS prop Harry Press (called up to the NZ Barbarians School squad) and workhorse lock Bede Brown (Rongotai College) are two forwards who have flourished in the campaign. The Centurions backline has been spearheaded by first-five Richard Evans (Hutt Valley High School). Police detective and Tawa club affiliated Damian Rapira-Davies is the Centurions head coach. Studd concluded with affirmation for another member of the team. “Daniel Peckston is one of our managers, not officially, but he’s one of those rare guys who does everything from folding jerseys to running touch. He’s a bit lippy, which is sometimes annoying, but we love him. Daniel’s passion for the game is what it’s all about.” Daniel is a current student of Hutt Valley High School. The Hurricanes U18 provinical tournament final between the Whanganui U18s and the Centurions U18s kicks off at Cooks Gardens, Whanganui on Saturday at 12.45pm.  14/9/2019 New Zealand Māori Under 18 teams named NZ Maori 2017 Photo - Credit:Andy McArthur The New Zealand Māori Rugby Board has today announced the Māori Under 18 teams for 2019.
The New Zealand Māori U18 Ngā Whatukura team will face Fiji Schools and also play in the game of three halves against New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Schools Barbarians in Palmerston North later this month. Players have been identified through regional and national camps and selected on form from school, regional and club rugby. New Zealand Māori Rugby Board Chair Dr Farah Palmer said she was excited to see young Maori talent recognised in the naming of these teams. “It will be great to see the mana of Māori rugby on display over the next two weeks as the NZ Māori U18 Ngā Whatukura team play Fiji Schools in Rotorua and also take on the New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarians schools teams in a game of three halves in Palmerston North. “This team represents the future of Māori rugby and our next generation of Māori talent whom I’m sure will move onto higher honours,” said Palmer. The New Zealand Māori Rugby Board also acknowledged and celebrated the players selected in the U18 Ngā Mareikura team. While there is no match for the under 18 girls in 2019, Palmer said the Board wanted to congratulate the efforts of the young wahine athletes this season and commented that efforts were being made to ensure a programme for this team would be established in future years. The Ngā Whatukura team will assemble in Rotorua on 17 September before matches against Fiji Schools (22 September) and in the game of three halves in Palmerston North against the New Zealand Schools and the New Zealand Schools Barbarians (26 September). New Zealand Māori U18 Ngā Whatukura team is; Blake Rogers - Scots College - Te Aupouri Carlos Karaitiana - Rotorua BHS - Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe Cassius Misa - Te Teko Rugby & Sport Club - Ngāti Kahungunu Ethan Seed - Francis Douglas MC - Te Atiawa Harry Hansen - Otago BHS - Ngāti Porou Hemopo Cunningham - Rotorua BHS - Ngāti Pikiao Hunter Nuku - Taradale RFC - Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tai Jacob Ward - Napier BHS - Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu Jayden Walker - Napier BHS - Ngāti Kahungunu Jock McKenzie - Westlake BHS - Ngāti Maniapoto Jordan Thompson-Dunn - Hastings BHS - Ngāti Kahungunu Kaharoa Takuira-Mita -Tauranga BHS - Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui Keegan McGregor - Christchurch BHS - Ngāti Raukawa Mercedes Hodge - Hastings BHS - Tūwharetoa Nephi Sanireve - Trident High School - Ngāti Awa, Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Nikora Broughton - Arataki Sports Club - Ngāti Ruanui Niwa Barlow - New Plymouth BHS - Tūwharetoa Noah Hotham - Hamilton BHS - Ngāi Tai Rocky Olsen - Whangarei BHS - Ngāti Whātua Stuart Leach - Rotorua BHS - Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe Tamaikoha Te Aute - Rangiuru Sports Club - Te Arawa Taylor Dale - Otago BHS - Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua Thomas Murray-Edwards - New Plymouth BHS - Ngāti Whakaue Tiaki Fabish - Old Boys University, Wellington - Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Whānau ā Apanui Valance Yates - St Kentigern College - Ngāpuhi Ngā Kaiako/Kaiwhakahaere Kahu Carey - Head Coach - Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Jeremy Wara - Forwards Coach - Tainui, Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Tiipa Ngatai Walker - Backs Coach - Ngāti Porou Simon Kneebone - Set Piece Coach - Ngāti Porou Duncan Cameron - Manager - Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa,Te Whānau ā Apanui, Rangitāne Mihaere Emery - Cultural Advisor - Tahoe, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Raukawa Tiki Edwards - Campaign Manager - Whakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa NZ Māori U18 Ngā Mareikura team is; Jaylyn Campbell Waitakere City Rugby Club Te Rarawa Tuia Edwards Hastings GHS Ngāti Kahungungu Vici Rose Green Hamilton GHS Ngāti Maniapoto Daeja Kaponga Putaruru College Ngāti Raukawa Jurney Blair Te Rarawa Rugby Club Te Rarawa Mia Anderson Kerikeri High school Ngāpuhi Savannah Bodman Kamo High school Ngāpuhi Raegan Robinson Karamu High school Ngāti Kahungunu Milly Mackay Petone RFC Ngāti Porou Alesha Williams New Plymouth GHS Te Atiawa Mania Nuku Hamilton GHS Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui Kelsey Teneti Lytton High School Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui Shaniqka Wall Nga Paerangi Manukura School Ngāti Tūwharetoa Cortez Te Pou Tūhoe Karamu High School Ngāti Kahungunu Raumati Rogers Marlborough Girls College Tūhoe Charm Sandilands Karamu High School Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu Holly Topp Tauranga Girls’ College Ngāi Tahu Layla Te Rini Trident High School Tūwharetoa Klee Begbie Putaruru College Ngāti Raukawa Karlee Cruickshank Central Southland Ngāpuhi Jamie Church Kavanagh Collage Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou Naia Toaolamai-Holden Christchurch Girls High Te Atiawa, Ngāti Porou Shania Kohinga North Otago Ngāti Maniapoto Ngāti Tūwharetoa Jasmine Oconnell Manukura Ngati-Kahungunu, Ngāti-Maniapoto Calista Ruruku University of Waikato Te Atihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi Ngā Kaiako/Kaiwhakahaere Jayson McRoberts Head Coach Ngāti Kahungunu Caleb Angew-Jones Assistant coach Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Geri Paul Assistant Coach Ngāti Awa Paula Taylor Anderson Manager Te Atiawa Tamara Toaloamai Assistant manager Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hāmoa Tuterangi Nepe-Apatu Support Ngāti Kahungunu  Players from 29 schools across the country have been named in the New Zealand Schools’ and New Zealand Schools’ Barbarians teams for 2019, announced by New Zealand Rugby today. A huge 1st XV season culminated last weekend with the Finals played in Palmerston North, the city will also play host to the 50 young players selected across the two representative teams. The New Zealand Schools squad features seven players that were involved in the schools programme last year, including two who have graduated from the Barbarians team. The Heartland Unions are represented in the New Zealand Schools team by Whanganui Colleagiate’s Ben Strang. Players represent a total of 12 provincial unions with the biggest representation from Auckland and Canterbury. Newly-crowned National Co-Ed champions St Kentigern College has seven players selected across the two national Schools teams, with Christchurch Boys’ High School and King’s College also strongly represented. The New Zealand Schools’ team is:  The New Zealand Schools’ Barbarians team is: is;   Christchurch Girls' High School after their South Island final win over St Hilda's Collegiate.  The Hine Pounamu Trophy that is presented to the winner of the Girls Rugby Top 4 tournament. This coming weekend’s eighth annual Girls Top 4 rugby tournament features the champion schools from the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes and combined Crusaders/Highlanders regions. Southland Girls’ High School were the South Island winners and representatives for the first seven years, and won the title in 2016. Their run of appearances has been broken and five-time Crusaders UC Cup champions Christchurch Girl’s High School will be there for the first time this year. On Friday, Christchurch GHS meet Auckland’s Onehunga High School in one semi-final, while Hamilton Girls’ High School play Manukura in the other, in a replay of last year’s decider for the Hine Pounamu Trophy (won by Hamilton). Christchurch Girls’ High School’s co-captains are first five-eighth Alice Dalzell and blindside flanker Charlotte Allen. Alice said that Christchurch GHS are excited to be going to the Top 4 for the first time. “At the start of the year our goal was to retain the UC Cup and win in the South Island, which we have achieved and we are really proud of that,” said Alice. “Going up to Palmerston North will be a new experience for the players, but we have prepared for this opportunity all season and have put in extra trainings since the start of term two.” Last year, Christchurch GHS were beaten 0-39 by Southland GHS in the South Island decider, but last weekend turned that result around by defeating Dunedin’s St Hilda’s Collegiate 71-21. “It has been great to see how our team has grown and everyone has come together so well this year,” said Alice. “We don’t have star players but everyone plays for each other.” Co-captain Charlotte agreed. “One thing we asked the girls before last weekend’s South Island final against St Hilda’s was for them to come off the field afterwards feeling like they had played the best game they had ever played in and then no matter what the score was we would be happy.” “Every girl on the field did that, and it was whole team effort and that is why we achieved the result we did against St Hilda’s.”  Christchurch GHS UC Cup champions for the fifth consecutive year. Christchurch GHS previously beat Darfield High School in the final of the Canterbury-wide UC Cup competition that is played on Wednesdays throughout the season. Heading into Friday’s Top 4 semi-finals, Christchurch GHS’s season record is: played 13, won 13, points for 835, points against 72. The leading points scorers are Mia Cochrane (159) and Naia Toaolamai- Holden (133). The top try-scorer is Alice Hutchinson, who has scored 19 tries. Co-captains Alice Dalzell and Charlotte are one of several year 13 players who have been in the team for a few seasons, so the trip to the Top 4 will be extra special for the school leavers. Equally, there will be a similar number of year 9 and 10 players in the Top 4 squad, so win, lose or draw this weekend it will be a well-balanced side and also one that they can build for the future. Some of the older players play Senior Women’s club rugby in Christchurch, for High School Old Boys. Several players also play sevens for the school and have experience playing against the North Island schools at the annual Condor 7s in December. A couple will bring experience playing other sports to a high level, such as No. 8 Jaidyn Busch who is the defending NZSS Senior Girls and U20 Women’s Australian Shot Put champion. Christchurch Girls' High School Top 4 squad: Alice Dalzell, Alice Hutchinson, Anna Sweeney, Charlotte Allen, Eliza Dalzell, Erin Humm, Gemma Diedrich, Harriet Cochrane, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Jaidyn Busch, Jordan Sanders, Jorja Miller, Kezia Fowler, Blyth,Libby Thomas, Loren Edwards, Mackenzie Allan, Maggie Kelly, Mele Fifita, Mia Cochrane, Michaela Horler, Naia Toaolamai Holden, Rhiannon Merhtens, Rylee Munro, Salome Naikau. The Top 4 trophy The girls play for the Hine Pounamu Trophy, which previously was a challenge trophy first presented in 2012 by Rugby Girl and on the line every time the holder took the field against inter-provincial opposition. It is now designated as the main prize at this tournament. Top 4 tournament winners: 2012: Feilding High School 2013: Feilding High School 2014: Hamilton Girls’ High School 2015: Hamilton Girls’ High School 2016: Southland Girls’ High School 2017: St Mary’s College 2018: Hamilton Girls’ High School 2019 Hine Pounamu Trophy semi-finals (Friday 7 September, at Massey University):
  Riley Higgins finds the tryline in a recent fixture against Rongotai College. PHOTO: Mike O'Leary. Riley Higgins is hoping this season ends in a similar fashion to 2018.
Last year the St Pat’s Silverstream outside back injured his ankle; returning in time for the Premiership final won by Silverstream 29-22 over St Pats Town. In May 2019, Higgins broke his thumb against Napier Boys’ High School, but has returned in strong form with a Player of the Match display on national TV against St Pat’s Town and a rare, but efficient appearance at first-five in Silverstream’s 41-10 victory over Rongotai College in the semi-final last Saturday. “I haven’t played first-five since Under-15’s. We had an injury so everybody moved in one. I’m feeling good and looking forward to Sunday,” Higgins enthused. Silverstream will seek to become the first team since Wellington College in 2006 to win a hat-trick of Premiership titles. Unlike the previous two seasons Silverstream will start as underdogs against an unbeaten Scots College. Scots thumped Silverstream 34-7 about a month ago. “Scots played well that day, but we had half a dozen players injured and five second XV players on the bench,” Higgins rued. “Their backs are dangerous, but I felt we matched them in the forwards. If we stick to our structures and shutdown their danger men we’ve got a chance,” he continued. Higgins will benefit greatly from past experience. Last year, in the unfamiliar position of wing, he set up the first of three tries for lock Neyla Masima (now with the Warriors). “We were down 10-0, but showed good composure to comeback. I tried to get involved and was happy to contribute something positive,” Higgins reflected. Riley’s older brother Kienan Higgins has had positive experiences in finals. In 2017, Kienan was named Player of the Match when Silverstream beat Wellington College 17-11. This season he set up a try in Norths 25-16 win over Wainuiomata in the Wellington club rugby Jubilee Cup climax. “Kienan likes to remind me that he's won more finals. He doesn’t say anything else, but I know he’s supportive,” Riley laughed. Silverstream’s season hasn’t been a laughing matter. Their record 28-game unbeaten streak in the Premiership ended and traditional losses to New Plymouth Boys’ High School, St Bede’s College, Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Rongotai College were suffered. However the likes of Julius Masoe, Mika Felix, Jacob Beattie and Peter Lakai have shown considerable improvement in the forwards and centre Rocco Berry is back to spearhead the backline. Higgins partnership with the recently signed Warrior is perhaps the biggest weapon Silverstream has. “It’s good to have Rocco back. He’s got a lot of experience and lifts the confidence of the younger boys,” Higgins acclaimed. Scots had nine selections in the Hurricanes Under-18 camp, Silverstream none. A Silverstream victory would be a massive upset, but Silverstream won the 2010 and 2012 finals from fourth and second position respectively. “They’ve got two arms and two legs like us. There is a lot of pride in this team. We won’t make it easy for Scots,” Higgins concluded. Heading into the final, top qualifier Scots College won eight from nine matches in the round-robin this year, scoring 430 points and conceding 88. Third placed qualifier St Pat’s Silverstream won seven and lost two, scoring 348 points and letting in 111. The Premiership final between St Pats Silverstream and Scots College is at Jerry Collins Stadium at 12:10pm on Sunday. It is also finals days for all other college grades on Saturday at St Pat’s Silverstream, headlined by Tawa College and Porirua college squaring off in the Premier 2 Murray Jensen Cup final at 1.30pm.  The Polson Banner changes hands today. IMAGE: Sky TV.  The Polson Banner has now been contested 115 times. Palmerston North Boys’ High School hosted Napier Boys’ High School in their annual full sports exchange. In the senior sports, the home school won the rubber 3-2 – including winning the famous Polson Banner First XV rugby match. In the five major sports that were contested amongst the senior teams, Palmerston North BHS beat Napier BHS 27-15 in the First XV rugby, won the First XI Football 5-3 and the Senior golf 6.5 - 1.5. Napier won the First XI hockey 2-0 and also won the First V basketball 83-61. Palmerston North generally had the better of the junior match-ups – results at the bottom of this article. In the first XV rugby, Palmerston North Boys’ High School won the Polson Banner for the first time since 2015. The win was Palmerston North’s 64th in the 115th edition of the Polson Banner. In heavy underfoot conditions and weather that started off sunny but turned wet in the second half, Palmerston North played with patience on defence and extra adventure through their backs, with fullback Ruben Love a standout. They won four tries to three, to also register a bonus point win in the final Super 8 fixture of the year for both teams. The home side out-scored the visitors three tries to one to lead 17-5 at halftime. But it was Napier that made the more positive start, dominating early possession and bustling centre Jack Sheridan bursting through from 40 metres to score. Palmerston North worked their way into the contest and in the 21st minute right wing Jayden Keelan returned a kick in play and set sail for the corner flag before passing inside to fullback Love to score their opening try. In the 27th minute Keelan and Love attacked the shortside first phase from an attacking scrum near halfway, a raid that was brought down just short of the line. This soon led to their second try from a subsequent scrum close to the line through bulldozing prop Nasser Tato.  The updated Super 8 points table after this match. Just before the break, Napier missed touch with a clearing penalty and fullback Love ran the ball back up towards the 22. Palmerston North recycled quickly from the next ruck and halfback Matt Oldridge darted towards the corner and set up a try for second five-eighth Josh Ellingham.
Napier made a good fist of the opening exchanges of the second half, using their forwards to good effect up the middle and 10 minutes in were finally awarded with their second try to lively halfback Angus Kilmister after a lineout drive. Palmerston North regrouped and after being held up moments before, popular replacement prop Darius Mafileo crashed over to score what was to be the match-winner. Love’s conversion made it 24-10. With rain arriving, Napier responded with a forwards try to Reece Henderson after another series of pick and goes. But that was as close as they got, Love sealing victory with a penalty on fulltime. About the Polson Banner The Polson Banner is one of the oldest interschool rugby trophies up for grabs in New Zealand. It was first played for in 1907 but "back dated" to 1904 to record all of the fixtures between the schools. The original silk banner was donated by the 1902-12 NBHS headmaster, A.S. Polson, and has the colours and the crest of the two respective schools on the reverse sides. The scores for each year's match has been embroidered on the banner over the years. Polson Banner Statistics Played: 115 Palmerston North BHS Won: 64 Napier BHS Won: 46 Drawn: 6 Palmerston North BHS Biggest Win: 45-3, 1981, Won 51-10 in 2015. Napier BHS Biggest Win: 43-14, 2002 Polson Banner last five matches: 2015: Palmerston North BHS 51 – Napier BHS 10 2016: Palmerston North BHS 17 – Napier BHS 17 (draw) 2017: Napier BHS 12 – Palmerston North BHS (10) 2018: Napier BHS 36 – Palmerston North BHS 19 2019: Palmerston North BHS 27 – Napier BHS 15 2019 Napier – Palmerston North sports exchange results included: Rugby 27-15 win to Palmerston North in First XV Rugby 45-12 PNBHS U14 Rugby 7-5 to Napier in Second XV Rugby 17-12 to Napier in Colts Rugby 19-12 to PNBHS in Third XV Rugby Football 10-1 to PNBHS Junior A Football 0-0 draw in Second XI Football 5-3 win to Palmerston North in First XI Football Hockey 21-0 win to Palmerston North in Colts Hockey 3-0 win to Palmerston North in 2nd XI Hockey 2-0 win to Napier in First XI Hockey Basketball 88-50 win to Palmerston North in Junior A Basketball 83-61 win to Napier in Premier A Basketball Debating Wins to Palmerston North in both Junior and Senior Golf Palmerston North 6.5 - 1.5  The Chiefs U18 Development squad to match up against the Crusaders and Blues Under 18 sides this Saturday, 13 July. Team Messam will make the trip south to Blenheim to take on the Crusaders Under 18’s at Lansdowne Park. While Team Clarke will host the Blues Under 18’s at St Paul’s Collegiate. Both games will kick off at 12.30pm. The teams are: Team Messam:
Reserves:
Team Clarke:
Reserves:
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