1st XIII Rugby League - National Secondary Schools Tournament

It wasn't meant to be for our 1st XIII rugby league team in 2023, who played with outstanding resilience in a tough tournament where a revised format meant teams played two games per day over three days. Day one saw our 1st XIII play against Mt Albert Grammar, a very different team to the Auckland competition's team; this one was littered with the best talent of Mt Albert Grammar's 1st XV rugby union team, a physical game in which St Paul's eventually ran out winners 18-4.

After a short break, it was back into the action against Kelston Boys. Once again a very different line up to the team we had played in the Auckland competition, with Kelston's 1st XV rugby team predominantly making up their National tournament league team. Some questionable officiating in the first half meant St Paul's had to work very hard to overcome a fit, physical and skillful Kelston team. With four minutes to go, St Paul's was behind on the scoreboard before desire and effort on defence meant a turnover to St Paul's with three minutes left on the clock and one more opportunity to earn a victory. Thankfully, this is exactly what St Paul's did - scoring a try with a minute to go on the clock! Winning the game by 4 points, 16-12.

Day 2 was again going to be extremely challenging after two very physical games less than 24 hours beforehand. Up first was St Thomas of Christchurch, an experienced, fit and well-drilled team not dissimilar to our own, where students cross-code playing rugby union and rugby league through the winter. After some line breaks against the run of play, St Paul's found themselves behind 10-0, the gap was closed to 10-6 and unfortunately time was against us, with a final score 14-6 after a last minute try to St Thomas. This meant a semi final vs De La Salle was on the cards, a momentous task for students who had been physically tested by some of the best and most experienced athletes in secondary school sport. John Matini (Year 12) proved to be the "super sub" against De La Salle, bringing a bag of tricks with him which eventuated into a grubber kick, rebounding off the post to score what would only be the game's only try - St Paul's running out 6-0 winners! This meant that St Paul's earnt a rematch with St Thomas in the grand final the following day.

A highly competitive and fast game where St Thomas scored first, only for St Paul's to reply with a determined try from Waka Tate (Year 12), meaning the scores were only separated by 4 points at halftime, St Thomas up 10-6. The second half was extremely competitive with valiant and desperate defence from both sides. Everything St Paul's threw at St Thomas, they had an answer for. Everything St Thomas threw at St Paul's, they had an answer for, unfortunately for the large crowd that gathered to support our team, the score remained 10-6 until the last few minutes of the game, where St Thomas converted a penalty for the final score to be 12-6.

Our young men performed so admirably with demanding and physical games against top oppositions - five games in three days. This is no easy feat, playing against the best athletes from some of New Zealand's top sporting schools. I am so proud of the way our team rallied - before the semi final, we were "the walking wounded", with players strapped up, bruised and beaten from earlier games. To hold De La Salle scoreless for the semi-final speaks so much about the resilience of our 1st XIII.

Our sincere gratitude and thank you to our volunteer coaching staff, led by Frank Fuimaono and Francis Ledger.

New Zealand secondary schools team: Malachi Filipo, Quiann Feterika-Mafoe, Jeriko Filipi-Talisau, Sio Kali (tournament MVP).

Photos of the semi final vs De La Salle. Photos courtesy of SC Sports photography.

Under 15 National Rugby League Tournament 

St Paul's College Makes History in Inaugural Under 15 Section of the National Rugby League Competition

In an historic achievement that will be etched in the annals of school sports, St Paul's College secured the title of the first-ever Under 15 champions in the National Rugby League Secondary School Competition. The journey to this remarkable victory was filled with dedication, teamwork, and unforgettable moments on (and off) the field.

The competition kicked off on Friday 1 September with St Paul's College taking on Tokoroa High. The scoreboard painted a picture of pure dominance as St Paul's College secured a resounding 44-0 win. It was evident from the start that they meant business in this inaugural year.

The following game brought a familiar opponent from the Auckland Central Zone competition. St Paul's College once again showcased their prowess, clinching victory with a commanding score of 40-0.

Saturday brought a new challenge in the form of Te Kopuku High School. St Paul's faced the opposition with determination and emerged victorious, prevailing with a score of 26-14.  The road to the grand final included a challenging encounter with Southern Cross Campus. St Paul's College, undeterred by the competition, triumphed with a score of 38-10.

Sunday arrived with high stakes—the grand final to determine the ultimate winner of the inaugural Under 15 section. The atmosphere was electric, and St Paul's approached the match with unwavering determination. The goal was clear: bring the coveted cup home!

The St Paul's boys left nothing on the field, playing with all their heart for their brothers next to them, their school, their families, and themselves. The final score of 26-10 was a testament to their dedication and unity. With this win, they proudly lifted the cup, a symbol of their historic achievement in a competition that marked its first-ever Under 15 section. Congratulations to Uli Toki-Fisiifetau MVP for Grand Final and MVP for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament. 

The journey to victory was paved with support and dedication from numerous individuals. The coaching and management team, Maryn Tiavaasue Murray (coach), Taisyn Williams (co-coach), Jaelin Murray (trainer), Junior Fiu (technical advisor), Jasyn Taufua (youth/social worker), Brittany Hastings-Kutty (physio), Rangi Fiu and Oliana Eniata (managers), all played an integral role in nurturing and guiding these young athletes.

A heartfelt thank you is extended to all those who supported St Paul's College throughout this exhilarating tournament. Your unwavering support and aroha (love) were instrumental in this historic achievement.

This victory not only belongs to St Paul's College but also to the entire community that rallied behind these young athletes. It's a testament to what can be achieved with determination, unity, and the support of a passionate community.

Confortare Esto Vir

St Paul’s Football Season Wrap

2023 saw St Paul’s enter a football team into College Sport competition for the first time since 1997. A squad of 16 young men was chosen over a four week trial process in March to represent the school in the 13th Grade competition. A large number of players new to the sport, accompanied by a much smaller number of more experienced players, committed to College over club, and quickly came together to form a very tight knit group. A group who were prepared to learn, work hard for each other on the field and ultimately prove a very entertaining team to watch!

In nine games this season, the team scored a total of 42 goals with eight young men collecting goals. A total of four hat tricks were scored by Ebenezer Asnake (Year 8), Michael Te’o (Year 10), and Diego Osikai (Year 9) who scored two hatricks. A tally up of goal scorers saw Diego Osikai score 17 goals for the season, Ryan Halfpenny (Year 9) score 8, Michael Te’o 7, Ebenezer Asnake 5, Hugo Lloyd (Year 9) score 2, and 1 each for Douglas Calvert (Year 9), Iverson Niuula (Year 9) and Ignatius Veukiso (Year 8).

Marseille Niuula (Year 9) was the goalkeeper for the season with three clean sheets and a great first season in a sport he has never played. Leo Zigliani (Year 9) and Neil Fernandes (Year 10) were very strong defenders for the side, with Liam Miller (Year 9) and Maximo Dadah (Year 9) along with Kalani Liddall-Sua (Year 10) providing midfield support. "The twins" Loa Taufa and Isope Taufa (Year 10) moved seamlessly through any roles asked of them in their first year of football.

All the development over the course of the 2023 season has been outstanding. It comes from the learning and disciplined attitudes shown in trainings and on game days by the young men. Each week they have improved and shown respect to the opposition, with a number of teams very complementary about the behaviour and sportsmanship of our young men.

The side finished the season with six wins, two losses, and one draw - a record which saw them finish a very successful first season in equal 1st place. The sideline for our boys was always the most supported and vocal each week, and on behalf of the players and the coaching staff of Mr Halfpenny, Mr Serra (St Paul's Old Boy), and Ms Lloyd, we thank everyone who watched the team this season and hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.

This group of young men have big goals of moving forward as a team and putting St Paul’s College well and truly on the map for football, with 2023 being the first stepping stone along this path.