SPORT Rugby
The 2023 rugby season at Christ’s College will be remembered as one of the most successful in recent years. With five out of nine teams making it to the finals – and four teams securing victory – it has been a remarkable year for the College rugby programme. In this report, we delve into the achievements, coaching staff, and the outstanding players who have made this season truly exceptional. The loss of Rob Donaldson to Christ’s College rugby following his retirement is going to take some replacing but we all wish Rob well in his new journey. We know that the rugby programme that Rob has fostered and helped put in place owes him so much. Stephen Dods MiC Rugby 1ST XV Manager: Neil Porter Coach: Sam Broomhall Assistant Coach: Sam Chamberlain
teamwork and familiarising players with common patterns for the season. The involvement of a dedicated parent committee offered substantial support throughout the campaign. The Miles Toyota Premiership’s later start enabled a dedicated term-time pre-season programme for the first time. The annual ‘Going to the Well’ event, held at Spencer Park Beach, tested both the mental and physical fitness of the players. The subsequent trip to Kaikoˉura for a pre-season fixture against Marlborough Boys’ College further strengthened team cohesion. An additional challenge for the 1st XV was the unavailability of the team’s home venue, Upper, because of the Upper West construction, making it the second consecutive year without home advantage. Arrangements were made to play ‘home’ games at the Christchurch Football Club, necessitating night and Sunday matches to accommodate the club’s schedule. However, the benefit of having a home ground outweighed these scheduling adjustments. The 2023 Crusaders region competition introduced a new format, with a Miles Toyota- sponsored competition split into a premiership and a championship, each comprising 10 teams. This change led to a reduction in the round-robin games for all teams and intensified the competition for the premiership teams. The season opened with a challenging match against St Thomas of Canterbury College, the reigning champion. Despite St Thomas scoring an early converted try, College displayed dominance in territory and possession. With two converted tries before half-time and another early in the second half, College secured a
convincing 21–7 victory. Success continued with wins against Selwyn Combined – a hard-fought battle in wet conditions, ending 11–8 in College’s favour – and a Friday night fixture against Timaru Boys’ High School, with College delivering a dominant 41–3 performance. However, the traditional match against Christchurch Boys’ High School ended in a 3–37 defeat, demonstrating the tough competition. The season presented an agonising run of close losses, starting with a clash against St Bede’s College, with College behind 10–12 at half-time, then rallying to lead 13–18 before a final penalty by St Bede’s College sealed the victory. This was followed by another close loss to Marlborough Boys' College, concluding 21–23. The Quadrangular Tournament in Wellington brought mixed results, with a dominant first half against Wellington College resulting in a 26–32 loss, and a compelling victory against Nelson College, winning 38–31. Following the July holiday break, College played Shirley Boys’ High School, suffering a 19–22 defeat despite leading 19–15 at half-time. The annual match against St Andrew’s College took place in harsh conditions, with strong winds, heavy rain, and freezing temperatures. College scored two tries to lead 10–0 at half-time, but St Andrew’s College made a comeback, securing a 10–12 victory. It showcased courage and mental fortitude. As the regular season concluded, College faced Marlborough Boys’ College in the Plate semi-final, resulting in a disappointing 20–26 loss. A new addition to the fixture list was the Independent Schools 1st XV Festival, hosted by King’s
Trainer: Oscar Brown Physio: Grant Chittock
The 2023 rugby season brought a host of changes and challenges for College’s 1st XV, with a notable shift in the pre-season programme. The year commenced with a camp in Oxford, where 50 senior rugby players gathered at Koˉkoˉmuka Lodge, complemented by support from parents who provided catering. Training sessions were held at the Oxford Rugby Club, with the added element of sharing the experience with Dilworth School’s senior players from Auckland. The camp concluded with friendly matches against Dilworth School, Nelson College, and Marlborough Boys’ College. This innovative approach united the senior rugby group, fostering
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