Sport in Auckland: 1A First XV kicks-off this weekend

A new season of 1^st XV rugby is set to kick-off this weekend, as schools across the country go head-to-head for a shot at qualification for the illustrious National Top Four tournament in September.

Of all the regional leagues that are set to commence on Saturday afternoon, the Auckland 1A competition is the most prominent of them all.

Communications director at Auckland Rugby Sean Brookman said the secondary schools system in Auckland has acted as a nursery for New Zealand rugby, adding that the tournament is “something we want to keep nice and safe”.

Widely regarded as New Zealand’s toughest and most competitive 1^st XV tournament, the start of the 2018 campaign will undoubtedly capture the attention of not only Auckland-based schoolboy rugby followers, but all those across the nation.

Six matches will be played to open the 2018 edition of the competition.

Auckland Grammar vs Sacred Heart College

In one of the more blockbusting encounters to start the year, Auckland Grammar have been tasked with downing last year’s finalists Sacred Heart College.

While that is a daunting challenge, the hosts are no strangers to overcoming adversity. Their 61 titles speaks volumes of the depth of talent they have at their disposal, and that should be no different for the forthcoming season.

While there will be a degree of expectation that Auckland Grammar will perform well, First XV manager Chris Oates is realistic heading into the first match of the campaign.

“It’s going to be a competitive game,” he said.

“We certainly respect Sacred Heart and they’re a consistently strong opposition. I would imagine it is going to be a close game, one way or the other. Obviously, we’re looking to get the win, to get the four points, and Sacred will be looking to do exactly the same thing.”

Oates highlighted the services of tighthead prop Saula Mau will be vital for their chances of victory, with last year’s New Zealand Schools Barbarians member a key figure of the 2018 side.

Standing in the way of Mau and his teammates is a staunch Sacred Heart outfit that has looked promising over the past few weeks.

Sacred Heart director of sport Nick Guise said his squad went undefeated through, which included notable victories over St Paul’s Collegiate, Tauranga Boys’ College, cross-town rivals Mount Albert Grammar School, and last year’s national runners-up Hamilton Boys’ High School.

“We’ve had an excellent pre-season,” Mr Guise said.

“We’ve played a number of matches, undefeated and injury-free. The boys are looking fit and strong. We’ve got 13 back from last year’s squad, and we’re ready to go.”

Of those 13 returnees from last year’s title-winning team, halfback Taufa Funaki is a player Mr Guise and his colleagues are especially delighted to have in their ranks.

The Year 13 pupil was the subject of national headlines after he stole the show with his speed and agility at the Condor Sevens last December, and was a key member of the New Zealand Schools side that defeated Australia in their annual fixture in Sydney last year.

Despite the experience and ability evident throughout his side, Mr Guise was quick to repel suggestions that Sacred Heart would stroll to victory over their counterparts on Saturday.

“I would say it’s pretty even,” he said.

“These are big matches that you have to play for and win. You’ve got to play everyone in this competition to win, and it’s a tough competition to win.”

Whichever side emerges victorious in this clash between the two rugby powerhouses will be indicative of who will mount a serious challenge for the title come the end of the season in August.

When: 5 May, 2:30pm

Where: Auckland Grammar School Field 1

Mount Albert Grammar School vs St Kentigern College

The past 10 years of 1st XV rugby in Auckland has been dominated by three schools, and two of those will go head-to-head this Saturday to open their 2018 campaign.

Mount Albert Grammar School, better known as MAGS, will host the defending 1A champions Saint Kentigern College on home turf this Saturday.

After winning the Auckland and national 1st XV titles in 2016, MAGS failed to make the semi-finals in 2017, finishing a disappointing 6th place.

The credentials of head coach Geoff Moon are impressive, with a current assistant role with the Auckland Mitre 10 Cup side, and a stint with recently-promoted English club Bristol. The team has improved since his arrival, so the ability for success from the top down is achievable in 2018.

Saint Kentigern took out the Auckland title after defeating Sacred Heart 26-19 in the final in 2017. They have been the dominant powerhouse in the Auckland 1A competition, winning five of the past seven titles under coach Tai Lavea, so confidence will be riding high heading into this year.

Deputy Chairman of NZ schools rugby union Jim Lonergan said it is exciting to see the return of high school rugby, and added that this clash in is one certainly not to be missed.

“Pre-season means nothing, it’s important to see how some of those top matchups go in the first week,” he said.

Given the result of last year’s clash, where MAGS won 22-17, whoever comes out on top may not be an indication over the eventual contenders in the finals stage.

When: Saturday 5 May, 2:30pm

Where: B G Williams Field, Mount Albert Grammar School

St Peter’s College vs Kelston Boys’ High School

St Peter’s College will host Kelston Boys’ High School in what is sure to be a tense contest between two of Auckland’s leading rugby factories.

The hosts will head into this clash as favourites following their impressive effort last year, which saw them eliminated at the semi-final stage.

Keep an eye out for St Peter’s loose forward Niko Jones. The son of All Blacks legend Michael Jones made the Blues under-18 squad last year, and has been earmarked for a big campaign in 2018.

When: 5 May, 2:30pm

Where: St Peter’s College Field 1

De La Salle College vs King’s College

Two other giants of Auckland school rugby will go head to head, as King’s College visit De La Salle College.

De La Salle have been the only other school to have won the Auckland 1A competition aside from Saint Kentigern, MAGS and Auckland Grammar since 2007. King’s have been one of the more successful schools in the Auckland competition, they will be looking to redeem themselves after missing the finals last year.

Although Kings won this fixture 34-12 in 2017, a home game for De La Salle may be the difference this time round.

When: Saturday 5 May, 2:30pm.

Where: De La Salle College Field 1

Dilworth School vs Liston College

While this is a battle between two of the more unheralded sides in the 1A competition, both schools will be desperate to get their seasons off on the right note.

Liston College can count themselves lucky to have avoided the dreaded promotion/relegation play-off match after finishing in 11^th place last year, while Dilworth School will be looking to build on their 9^th place effort in their fourth consecutive season in Auckland’s elite division.

Dilworth will be expected to edge the visiting Liston outfit in the re-match of last year’s season-opener, although it should be a tightly-contested affair.

When: Saturday 5th May, 2:30pm

Where: Dilworth School Field 1

One Tree Hill College vs Aorere College

One Tree Hill qualified for the 2018 1A competition after beating last year’s wooden spooners Tamaki College convincingly 33-10 in the promotion/relegation play-off last weekend.

One Tree Hill’s surprise promotion will give the side plenty of confidence moving forward, but that will not be enough to overcome the difference in class with the rest of the competition.

Aoerere College finished 10^th on the table in 2017, with only 3 wins from 11 games, but should still be favoured in this clash.

When: Saturday 5th May, 2:30pm

Where: One Tree Hill College Field 1