Earlier this week, the announcement of the 2023 All Blacks squad brought great pride and excitement to the St Peter's community when two of the newly selected six players announced were recent students of our school.

Samipeni Finau (2017) and Cam Roigard (2018) graduated from St Peter’s. Both boys showed outstanding talent inside the school’s specialised Rugby Programme and contributed to all areas of the school's body, mind and spirit ethos.

Former Chiefs and Waikato lock Sean Hohneck, who now serves as the school’s Deputy Principal, fondly recalls coaching both Cam Roigard and Samipeni (Peni) Finau saying. 

“I am very pleased to congratulate both these young men and their families. Sampeni and Cam had very different journeys here at St Peter's both contributed significantly on and off the rugby field. In Cam, you have a great example of how far passion for the game, hard work and a competitive edge can take you. Sampeni is a great example of a talented athlete realising his obvious potential through hard work and access to the right facilities and support.” Sean Hohneck.

The boy's entry into the International Rugby arena marks a proud moment for the St Peter's Rugby Programme. Joining St Peter’s 1993 Alumnus Keith Lowen, who was selected as second five-eight player in 2002, loose forward Finau, and halfback Roigard, add to the growing list of prestigious All Black players to graduate from St Peter’s.

Read below for more about their remarkable journey and the St Peter's Rugby Programme.

Cam Roigard: A Journey of Determination and Excellence

Cam Roigard and his brother Stefan hold a special place in the esteemed St Peter's 'Seven-Year Club.' His secondary school journey began in 2012 as a Year 7 student, and he graduated as part of the student leader peer group in Year 13, serving as a Wellbeing Prefect while garnering numerous sporting awards at school.

Roigard's commitment to the school's rugby programme and his unwavering determination in his studies played a pivotal role in his success. Despite initial setbacks of not being selected for representative teams outside of school, Roigard's relentless efforts and dedication within the St Peter's rugby setup have paid off in the long run.

His sporting journey took an exciting turn when he joined the Hurricanes as a replacement player during their 2020 pre-season programme. Thanks to his exceptional work ethic and dedication, Roigard’s contract was extended, allowing him to gain valuable experience training with the team. This experience ultimately led to his debut for Counties Manukau in the 2020 National Provincial Championship.

Roigard’s presence on the team didn’t go unnoticed, displaying perseverance and undeniable talent, resulting in his Super Rugby debut against the Crusaders and earning him a spot in the All Blacks XV in 2022. With impressive performances, Roigard capitalised on his opportunities during the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, significantly contributing to his team's success.

Throughout this incredible journey, Roigard's father, Dave, continues to be a steadfast supporter of the school, actively involved with the current St Peter’s 1st XV team as the indispensable Team Manager and Bus Driver. Dave’s unwavering support reflects the strong sense of community within St Peter's rugby, and the Roigard family's dedication is greatly appreciated.

Cam Roigard's remarkable success story is an excellent example of how a well-resourced co-educational school can support students to succeed at the highest level. St Peter's takes great pride in their students' accomplishments and looks forward to celebrating Cam’s continued success as he makes his mark in New Zealand Rugby.

Read more about Cam's All Black pathway here.

Samipeni Finau: From Fullback to Formidable Forward

Samipeni (Peni) Finau, originally from Tonga, joined St Peter's, Cambridge, in 2017 as a Year 13 boarding student. Immersing himself in the St Peter’s boarding experience whilst his family lived in Auckland, Finau embraced the diverse range of opportunities presented to him by the school. With the unyielding support of the St Peter’s boarding community, including his Broadhurst brothers, Finau focused his attention and talent, earning both the St Peter’s New Zealand Representative and School Sport Colours Awards in 2017 for Rugby.

Initially, Finau played fullback before becoming part of the school. After he arrived at St Peter’s, Finau transitioned to loose forward. In this position, his exceptional skills caught the attention of the New Zealand rugby community leading to his selection for the New Zealand Secondary Barbarians team in 2017 after an impressive season at St Peter's.

Finau's rugby journey continued with his debut for Waikato in the 2020 National Provincial Championship, and he subsequently made his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs in 2021. As a player known for his speed and power, Finau quickly established himself as a formidable presence on the field.

Read more about Samipeni Finau All Black call-up here.

St Peter’s Rugby programme

Additionally, St Peter’s is delighted to announce that current Year 13 student Theo Mag, and alumnus Dom Hedley (2022), have been selected for the upcoming Hong Kong U20 Trophy, which will take place in Kenya from July 15 to 30.

The selection of Cam Roigard and Samipeni Finau for the 2023 All Blacks squad is a proud moment for the St Peter’s Rugby Programme. Their extraordinary accomplishments are a shining example of the talent, determination, and hard work fostered by the dedicated coaches within the school.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sports coaches, managers and volunteers who have played a crucial role in shaping our athletes' journeys. St Peter's takes immense pride in the accomplishments of its former students and looks forward to cheering them on as they represent New Zealand at the sport's highest level. 

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these two outstanding individuals and their families on this fantastic achievement.