Our 1st XV were crowned New Zealand Champions for 2024 on Sunday the 8th of September with a clinical 27-17 victory over a talented Nelson College.

Typical Palmerston North weather conditions played their part in the National Top 4 weekend as strong winds caused havoc for all teams. Our boys fought hard for a 23-19 victory against Feilding High School in the semi-final on Friday before preparing for the final showdown on Sunday.

This was a much anticipated final as Nelson College were the current holders of the Moascar Cup and had progressed throughout 2024 without losing a game. Our boys on the other hand were highly motivated to make amends for their defeat at the hands of Tauranga in the Super 8 final a month earlier. The wind was again going to be a huge factor and captain Mitch Swann elected to play with it and build an early lead in the first half. It proved to be a master stroke of a decision as first-five Dallas Rata-Makene kicked out of hand to perfection pinning Nelson back inside their own 22 over and over again. Superstar centre Ollie Guerin landed the first blow with a brilliant individual try as he cut the Nelson defence to pieces. Young fullback Jackson Botherway added the conversion for a 7-0 lead after 7 minutes of play.  

Nelson returned fire as we knew they would with two break out tries, but with missed conversions had them ahead 10-7 after 20 minutes. 

Our boys remained level headed and took control through their kicking game again as they marched into the Nelson defensive end for Alex Arnold to crash over the line in a huge display of strength and power. Jackson stepped up to the plate again for a 14-10 lead. The pressure of field position started to play its part for our boys as Nelson began to infringe to prevent further scoring opportunities. Jackson added a further two penalty goals as a result to take a 20-10 lead into the half time break. 

We knew that the second half would present a taste of our own medicine and defensively we would need to be on song as the wind would be in favour of Nelson. The question was, would a 10 point advantage be enough? 

The answer was yes! Our boys defended like soldiers and repelled Nelson over and over again as the clock slowly but surely became our friend and started to work against Nelson. Highlighted by a try saving tackle in the corner by Hiraka Waitai-Haenga and Maxwell Kara on Nelson winger as he dived for the line showing a striking resemblance to the match winning tackle by Mikaere Beattie against St Kentigern College now 10 years ago! 

Hiraka and Maxwell’s tackle proved a turning point, as our boys fought their way out of their own half and earned a scrum midfield where they executed a set move to perfection! Again, it was Ollie Guerin who busted through the Nelson line for a simple draw pass inside to Dallas who went under the posts untouched to push the score line out to 27-10. Meaning Nelson would need to score 3 times if they were to regain the lead. 

Again, our boys dug in defensively and a late try for Nelson wasn’t enough to take our hands off the NZ 1st XV Barbarians Cup and Moascar Cup. Final score 27-17. Hamilton Boys' High School - National 1st XV Champions once more! 

It’s difficult to single out any stand-out performers as every member of the team were at their very best when their best was needed. Stefan Newman and Tom Martin were faultless at lineout time. Liam Van Der Heyden, Luke Hills, Leon Mellsop, and Alex Arnold were relentless in their work rate through the middle. Caleb Grice tackled everything that came at him and Jake Rabarts carried the ball strongly, consistently putting us on the front foot. Mitch Swann and Dallas Rata-Makene dictated play to perfection and led the team around the park through their clever decision making and accurate kicking game. Hiraka Waitai-Haenga and Ollie Guerin were simply superb and proved themselves to be what we’ve always believed as the very best midfield combination in the country at schoolboy level. Ross Anderson and Maxwell Kara were always threatening on the edges and Jackson Botherway was ice cold under pressure knocking over 5/5 kicks at goal which always kept our boys two steps ahead of Nelson. 

The team would like to extend its utmost thanks to all of the support they received from the wider HBHS community not only over the weekend, but in the lead up to the event over recent weeks. It was the perfect send off for Mr Kirkham and for Mr Hotham who departed earlier in the year after 20 years of service to the 1st XV together. An astonishing achievement in itself.

This championship takes HBHS total to 6 and now outright leader for all-time 1st XV Championships over previous record holders Wesley College and Kelston Boys' High School who were tied equal with us on 5.

Congratulations to all players and management involved. What an achievement! You can now enjoy a well-deserved break.