U14B RUGBY Manager: Stephen Dods Coach: Cole Spinks The College U14B team was a pleasure to coach and be a part of this season. I have enjoyed being involved with the team. Our goal throughout the season was to prioritise the fun side of rugby. We emphasised this throughout training and gave the boys a chance to lead and be creative with drills and games, etc. It was important to create an environment where it allowed the boys to feel comfortable and speak out when needed. I think it was evident the boys felt comfortable in the environment through their actions, such as leading activities and coming to me and asking how they could improve and what they were doing well. Having a look at how the season went in itself, we did not win many games, but the growth the boys had as rugby players and young men throughout the season could easily be seen. We started off having some big scores put on us, but then, against those same teams in the later half of the season, we were competing in close games. You could see the boys start to believe that they could actually beat these teams. In the last game of the season, the semi-final, we ended up going down by only a few points against St Bede’s College, who had previously beaten us by 60-plus points. This showed how they had developed and come together as a team, trusting each other and staying in the grind of rugby. While we did not always get the results we wanted, it was important to ensure the boys were having fun in order to keep them involved with rugby at College throughout their schooling. I am proud of the boys and their strength throughout the season, and impressed by their commitment and belief. Most of all, I was happy to see their bond and the new friendships they made. Cole Spinks Coach
U55KG RUGBY Manager: Alex Robertson Coach: Chris Beer, Tim Redfern, Mark Cox Team: Tai Mckenzie (captain), Alex Aitken, Jack Beaven, Austin Beer, Matua Cox, Drew Edmundson, Cam Hill, Archie Huston, Louis de Lautour, Will Leech, Will Matheson, Arthur Meares, Luke Murney, Charlie Redfern, Daniel Robertson, Ben Rookes, George Scott, Ollie Simpson, Liam Singer, Darce Terpstra, Charlie Wood The College U55kg team had a successful and enjoyable season in 2022. With a good mix of Years 9–10 boys – most of whom regarded themselves as backs at the start of the season – the team became known as the All Backs. The U55kg team included several boys who had not played contact rugby before and others returning to the game, attracted by the weight- based concept and an opportunity to play with their mates. This year, the grade included five teams, with St Bede’s College, Christchurch Boys’ High School, and St Andrew’s College also fielding teams. With the Upper West development under way, the boys were fortunate to be able to base themselves at Upper for team trainings. The coaches focused on improving core skills, including catch and pass, tackling, efficiency at the breakdown, and decision making on attack. A combination of drills and games was used at training to develop individual skills, which helped create a competitive and fun environment. After a promising start to the season, the boys were given a reality check, losing heavily to StAC in the third game. The team was determined to put that game behind it and improve in some key areas, particularly at the breakdown and in defence. The team played some excellent rugby in the games leading up to the next clash with StAC in early July. That game proved to be a turning point in the season, with the boys putting in an outstanding team performance, before finally going down, 21–29.
St Thomas of Canterbury College After a heartfelt and meaningful Friday team meeting about bravery and brotherhood, the boys knew what to do. This was our 3rd crack at St Thomas (who had humbled us previously), and the boys were hyped. We had our game plan and structure all set. We started strongly by using our game plan very well and spreading it out wide, which was where we scored the most throughout the game. By half-time, we were leading, 21–5, which was a massive effort from the boys – getting the game plan right and everyone doing their jobs to the best of their ability made the team run perfectly. Our scrums ran well throughout the whole game with plenty of tightheads and lineout wins. We carried on using our game plan well in the second half, leading to a 38–15 win. This win assured us a place in the semi-final. Semi-final vs Christchurch Boys’ High School All the boys came out fizzing for what was by far our best game of the season. We started strongly, scoring the first try and being in a commanding position. In this game, our lineouts and driving mauls went exceptionally well. We pressured CBHS on defence and our defence was solid. For some reason, it turned a bit sloppy towards the end which let CBHS through for two 90m tries. We came back to score on both occasions and had a conversion from the touchline to win the game. Sadly, the ball hit the upright and CBHS took the game by two points. Overall, this game was one of our best for the season. The boys played a very good season and worked very hard and well as a team. This was a good start for our College rugby journey together. We wish to thank Mike Smith for all his hard work, planning and preparation, and Andrew Grace and Kieran Manawatu for their encouragement, help and assistance throughout the year. We cannot wait to play again next season and continue representing College in the game we love. Lionel Randall, Manager Gus Moylan
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