**St John’s College Secures First-Ever Central North Island Championship in Historic Victory**

St John’s College (Hamilton) has made history by winning the Taine Randall Cup and claiming the Central North Island (CNI) rugby championship for the first time. Their 42-33 triumph over Feilding High School at Owen Delany Park in Taupō marks a significant milestone for the school and its rugby program.

The victory also ended Feilding High School’s dominance in the competition. The team surrendered the Rick Francis Memorial Shield after 10 successful defences and saw their impressive 16-match unbeaten streak in the CNI come to an end.

For St John’s coach Tony Su’a, the win is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. “This championship means everything to us,” Su’a said, reflecting on the journey that began seven years ago when the college’s rugby program was struggling. “When you’ve been striving for so long and finally achieve this, you realize just how much it means not only to the current team but to everyone who has been part of this program over the years.”

The turnaround for St John’s began in 2016 when Howie King, Jonny Walters, and Kevin O’Brien joined forces to revitalize the rugby program. These World Rugby-accredited coaches focused on leveraging Marist rugby connections to build team numbers and retain players. Their efforts bore fruit in 2018 when St John’s entered the CNI competition. After two previous final losses, the team finally conquered Feilding High School, a powerhouse in the Manawatū region, in this year’s decider.

The victory was a testament to Su’a’s strategic shift in approach. Following the heartbreak of back-to-back final losses, Su’a and his team adopted a new philosophy this season, emphasizing creativity and on-field decision-making over rigid structures and formations.

“We’ve encouraged the boys to think for themselves and play what’s in front of them,” Su’a explained. “It hasn’t always been easy, especially for players accustomed to a structured format, but it’s added a new dimension to our game.”

The strategy paid off, although it wasn’t without its challenges. St John’s suffered a heavy 48-15 defeat to Feilding earlier in the season, but their innovative approach began to bear fruit as the season progressed.

In the lead-up to the final, Su’a incorporated unconventional preparation methods, including a 10-pin bowling session for team bonding. This light-hearted approach mirrored a personal experience from Su’a’s youth, where a coach took the team to feed ducks before a big game, leading to a collective release of tension. The unorthodox pre-match routine appeared to work wonders, as St John’s raced to a 19-0 lead and maintained control throughout the match, leading 39-12 with just 10 minutes remaining.

Feilding High School, despite their best efforts, couldn’t overcome St John’s relentless pressure. Winger Okusitino Vea capitalized on a loose pass to score the opening try, setting the tone for the match. The standout performer, however, was centre Karlan Mosaati, who tore through Feilding’s defence with several electrifying breaks, setting up fullback Kaden Makea for two tries and nearly creating another.

The forward pack also played a crucial role, with blindside flanker Konelio Burgess and hooker Ben Parnwell delivering commanding performances. Parnwell scored two tries, while first-five Callum McCabe added four conversions and three penalties to the scoreboard.

For Feilding, No. 8 Rupeni Raviyawa was a standout, scoring and setting up a try, while prop Emori Balenaisa and several bench players added energy late in the game. Despite their efforts, Feilding fell short, with tries from James Tuituba, Dane Johnston, Alani Fakava, and Kailan Ellmers, along with three conversions by Nixon Foreman and Aston Scott, unable to bridge the gap.

The 75-point aggregate in the match set a new record for the highest-scoring CNI final, surpassing the previous record of 72 points set in a 36-36 draw between St Paul’s Collegiate and St Peter’s Cambridge in 2020.

St John’s College’s historic win not only marks a new chapter in the school’s rugby legacy but also sets a high standard for future teams to follow.

Article added: Friday 23 August 2024