Hero photograph
1st XV 2016
 
Photo by Brendan Biggs

Ist XV Coach's Report 2016

Paul Burton —

Keep fit over the break boys, it’s going to be harder and faster again in 2017!!

This year’s 1st XV had a number of fresh faces joining the fray. The forward pack welcomed player of the year Sione Afemui. Sione went on to train in the Crusader knights squad and will be looking for a big season in 2017.

Other new names included Jade Uliano, a strong impact player who will look to cement a place in the run on the team next year. The team was led by skipper Liam Robinson. He was backed up by a number of senior players including Alex Coulthard, Richmond Patea Seve, Patrick Elia, Tom Hoskin and LM Vailfale.

In the backline it was a case of “who are all the new boys”. Tapu Uliano, Lauchie Stove, Zinzaan Martin, Jalen Tangiiti-Turner, Tahemaka Nui, Josh Vaifale and Donnell Dudley all played a large number of games for the team throughout the year. These boys will be hoping for big things next year but will be challenged heavily by some of the super starts coming through the grades here at school.

The team can be proud of how competitive it was throughout the year. In years gone by the team has fallen away in certain games but this year’s crop was keen to fight to the end in every game, not willing to concede soft points.

The highlights involved beating finalist Shirley Boys 32 -17, a huge win against Roncalli away, 65-7 and in terms of crowd support the win over Lincoln 24-5 under lights on Friday night was something special. A large proportion of the school made their way out to Lincoln rugby club to support the boys. I know for the team the support of the school student body this year was a highlight. Large numbers at all home games greeted the team and this really boosted morale and college spirit. A big thank you on behalf of the team must go to the ring leaders of this, Luke Payne, Jakob Mangels and Reuben Jeffery-Butler.

There were a number of games that could be defined as “the one that got away” however the Moascar cup challenge in Nelson was very much one of them. The lead changing 12 times throughout the game, before a penalty in overtime right in front gave the holders Nelson, the opportunity to kick a penalty goal to snatch the win from our boys and with it the rights to hold one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in New Zealand school boy rugby. The team was hurting badly for some days after this loss and credit must go to head coach Phil McKendry for the way he brought the boys through this game and the remainder of the season. His passion and desire to better the skill set and performance of our boys this year was evident in every training from January right through to August. Although he sadly had to head back to Auckland to be with his family, he has left his old school in a better place and the boys were very grateful for his extraordinary committed to coach the boys through the week before for flying home for one day with his family every week.

We must also thank Brendan Biggs, our new Manager. He has done a great job of logistics this year. It’s not easy organising trips to Nelson , Oamaru, Timaru and Auckland for 22 boys but he performed the roll with no fuss.

Mitchell Barrett a year 8 student also joined the team in a video analysis roll. His footage was invaluable for the boys and was used intently on Monday afternoons for our team video sessions, Thanks Mitch!

As school boy rugby’s profile grows in New Zealand, we as coaches are continually challenged to place more time, resources and knowledge in to giving our boys the best shot at performing. Next year will be no different here St Thomas of Canterbury College. We will welcome Jonny Leo’o in to the coaching setup along with Hamish Barclay and myself. Fresh ideas and a wealth of knowledge will no doubt give this team the ability to perform under pressure on the biggest school boy stage in the region.

Keep fit over the break boys, it’s going to be harder and faster again in 2017!!

Kind regards, Paul Burton

POINT SCORERS:

50 points - L M Vaifale - 10 Tries 

45 points - Sione Afemui - 9 Tries

35 points - Lachie Stove - 2 tries / 11 conversions / 1 penalty

34 points - Patrick Elia - 3 tries / 5 conversions / 3 penalties

25 points - Zinzan Martin - 5 tries

25 points - Enoka Suisamoa - 5 tries

20 points - Jakob Mangels - 4 tries

15 points - Liam Robinson - 3 tries

15 points - Richmond Patea Seve - 3 tries  

12 points - Jalen Tangiiti-Turner - 2 tries / 1 conversion

12 points - Tapuloa Uliano - 2 tries / 1 conversion  

10 points - Tahemaka Nui - 2 tries 

5 points - Tom Hoskin - 1 try

2 points - Donnell Dudley - 1 conversion