U15A RUGBY Manager: Arthur Wood Head Coach: Arthur Wood Coaches: Shun Miyake, Joshua Wood Team: Zinzan Bondarenko- Leatua (captain), Lachie Beirne (vice-captain), Rico Lemalie (vice-captain), Max Airey, Claude Armstrong, Ben Beattie, Harry Carr, Ihaka Cate, Morgan Clancy, Wil Donaldson, James Hadden, Harry Hanson, Tom Hazeldine, Tom Hodges, Gavin Holder, Felix Huston, Riki Jones, Alf Markham, George Matthews, Will Richards, Hunter Shore, Luke Woodwiss South Island Tournament: Che De Luca, Jack Hastie, Henry Hitchings, Kees MacDougall, PJ Palamo, Lui Tupuola In the 2022 season, the core of the U14A players from 2021 was joined by some new faces. The short preseason sessions excited the coaching group, as there was some great talent. The players gelled early on and continued to develop their individual and collective skillsets. As a coaching group, we wanted to ensure the players developed their core skills and that they would be able to reflect on a season in which they had fun and had made new friendships. We believed we achieved these goals. The team trained twice a week and worked hard on developing their run, catch, and pass skills. We also worked on breakdown and tackle technique and developed a simple game plan that the boys picked up fairly quickly. As their confidence and ability grew, this transferred into their on-field performances, which truly flourished at the South Island tournament. The local CRFU Metro season was divided into two halves. In the first half, there was a round robin of fixtures, with no tables and standings. This was useful given the disruptions to the squad because of Covid-19. The second half of the season landed the team in the Section 1 competition with five other teams. One of the highlights of this competition was the opportunity to play St Andrew’s College U15A at
final seconds by a drop goal (kicked by captain James Kelly), was as thrilling to watch as international rugby. Moments of excitement and brilliance were a feature in many of the team’s matches. Sometimes in rugby, results do not always reflect the genuine skill and ability of a team’s players. In one game, the team played with just 15 boys. A bench and substitute players were a privilege. The thirds became a reservoir of talent on which the 2nd XV often drew. On one hand, it allowed some of the 3rd XV’s best players to appear for the 2nd XV. However, the disruption was challenging for the team, which was never able to develop its set-piece play because of an ever-changing team list. All that said, the season was enjoyed by the players, coaches, manager and supporters. The team was coached by Gareth (Dal) D’Almeida, Tom Burt and Will Jones-Allen. Throughout the season, many parents assisted on the sidelines. They were a great support to the team. The following players deservedly received awards: James Kelly, as the 3rd XV captain; Archie Whithear received the award for the team’s Most Improved Back; Fergus Ryan was named Most Improved Forward; and Rico Steere was awarded the prize for Most Valuable Player. Angus Dysart-Paul Manager PRINCIPAL’S XV RUGBY Manager: Stephen Dods Coach: Caleb Tod The Principal’s XV was made up of senior students – both boarders and dayboys – who were looking for a more relaxed rugby season. They trained under recent Old Boy Caleb Tod once a week and played in the Christchurch Secondary Schools competition on Saturdays. It contained several talented players and one or two who had not played much rugby. At their best, they were a very good side with a solid tight five, excellent loose forwards and well-balanced backline. Caleb Tod Coach
Ngaˉ Puna Wai under lights. What a great game of rugby that see-sawed, with College winning the game in the last minute with a ‘clutch’ 45-metre penalty goal from Felix Huston. We sadly lost our semi-final match against Christchurch Boys’ High School U15A. The season concluded with an extended squad travelling to Oamaru to play in the annual South Island Invitational U15 Rugby Tournament. The boys arguably played their best rugby of the season at this tournament. They played with pride, passion, and camaraderie. They beat Marlborough Boys’ College, 17–12, and Waitaki Boys’ High School, 40–9, and lost to overall winner Southland Boys’ High School, 9–34. In the 3rd place final, they beat Shirley Boys’ High School, 32–10, reversing the loss suffered in the Metro competition. The tournament was a great success and the boys were amazing tourists. As a coaching group, we are very proud of the team’s achievements throughout the season. We thank the players for their very positive and dedicated attitude. We believe they have developed as players and, most importantly, enjoyed their season. We believe they have created a foundation for themselves to build on as they grow through the age groups. We thank Stephen Dods and Kris Miller for the work and support they have given the rugby club, along with the groundsmen for their hard work in ensuring that we have fields and facilities to train and play on. We also acknowledge the various sponsors of College rugby and, finally, the parents – our greatest and most loyal supporters during the season. Thank you one and all.
End of season prize winners Captain Zinzan Bondarenko-Leatua Most Improved Forward Max Airey Most Improved Back Luke Woodwiss Most Valuable Player Zinzan Bondarenko-Leatua
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