Champions Braced for Schools Title Defence   29 Aug 2016

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Champions Braced for Schools Title Defence

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They haven’t shown it so far this season, but Otahuhu College have hinted their defence of the NZRL National Secondary Schools crown is right on track.

Say what?

The South Aucklanders were buried deep in the pack throughout the Auckland CFL competition, won by traditional powerhouse St Paul’s College last week.

Their form has been so unconvincing that, when pools were drawn for the national tournament at Papakura later this month, Otahuhu landed in the same pool as St Paul’s, whom they defeated for the title in last year’s nail-biting final.

The rematch is scheduled for the second day of play, with the losers unlikely to progress to semi-finals.

But coach Roman Hifo admits the local competition was not his highest priority this season and he’s unfazed by that prospect of meeting St Paul’s so early in tournament week.

“We don’t come up with the draw,” he concedes. “But if we can get up over St Paul’s, that’s a massive confidence boost for us.

“One of the biggest things in our favour is that the other schools won’t have seen a lot of the players we’ll have at the nationals this season.”

For one reason or another, Hifo has lost most of those players that captured Otahuhu’s second national title 12 months ago. Their previous success was spearheaded by current Kiwis star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back in 2011.

“That result [last year] meant a lot to the boys,” reflects Hifo. “It was a reflection of the hard work we had put in through pre-season, during the season and through the national tournament.

“A lot of the boys are still buzzing from that win – it’s the highlight of their time at school.”

Hifo planned on building his title defence around a core of returning seniors, including NSST Most Valuable Player Phoenix Hunt.

But those players have moved on to higher honours that prevented them turning out for the Auckland CFL. Hooker Hunt played so well for South Sydney Rabbitohs in the SG Ball U18s competition, he stayed in Australia for their Holden Cup U20s campaign and won’t return.

Similarly, second row Joseph Vuna and wing Alfred Smalley have been focused on the Vodafone Warriors youth programme, but will be back for nationals.

“It will be great to have guys like Joseph and Alfred, who have already been there and know what nationals is all about,” says Hifo. “Those senior players will really lead the way for the others.”

Otahuhu will be further boosted by first XV players returning from their rugby commitments and Hifo is excited about the roster he can call on for this tournament.

One name he singles out to watch is Spencer Fruean, a member of the Blues U18 development squad.

“We will have a few strike players that people don’t know about. I feel very confident saying that the team we have at nationals this year will be better than last year.”

NZRL NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT

Monday, August 29

Premiership
Pool Teams Field Time
A St Paul's College v Aorere College

Referee - Sonny Whakarau

Touch - Taylor Waenga & Joseph Green 1 1pm
A Otahuhu College v Manukura School

Referee - Eric Kneepkens

Touch - Henare Chadwick & Daniel Caddy 5 1pm
B Kelston BHS v Papatoetoe HS

Referee - Tony Arnel

Touch - Nick Gibson & Jacob Lynch 3 1pm
B Mt Albert Grammar v Manurewa HS

Referee - Hone Kareko

Touch - Brendan Tarawhiti & Justyne Lui 6 1.15pm
C Wesley College v Southern Cross HS

Referee - Dave Millen

Touch - Paki Perkinson & Harley Wall 2 1.15pm
C Tokoroa HS v Aranui HS

Referee - Taylor Waenga

Touch - Paki Parkinson & Joseph Green 1 2.30pm
D Avondale College v Tamaki College

Referee - Nick Gibson

Touch - Breandan Tarawhiti & Jacob Lynch 3 2.30pm
D Westlake BHS v St Thomas of Canterbury

Referee - John Puna

Touch - Tane Manu & Russell McGregor 4 2.45pm

Development
Pool Teams Field Time
E Sir Edmund Hillary College v Mt Roskill Grammar

Referee - Jaxon McGowan

Touch - Tane Manu & Russell McGregor 4 1.15pm
E Trident HS v Francis Douglas Memorial College

Referee - Michael Rangihika

Touch - Henare Chadwick & Graeme Hill 5 2.30pm
F Papakura HS v Onehunga HS

Referee - Lindsay Dunlp

Touch - Justyne Lui & Harley Wall 2 2.45pm
F Tai Wananga bye 6 2.45pm

Download the 2016 NZRL Schools app here

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