Roscommon School go for three-peat
‘‘It's been fantastic that our students have continued to challenge themselves.’’
Roscommon School begins it defence of their national Rippa Rugby Championship in Wellington today.
The team have much to live up to when they kick off against Southland, Hawke’’s Bay, Wanganui and Wellington at Wakefield Park in Island Bay.
Roscommon lifted the title in 2014 and 2015 so there is a weight of expectation riding on the shoulders of this year’s side. But with coach Alosio Taimo master minding their campaign, they’ll be relaxed and ready for the challenge.
Taimo has won three title for Roscommon where also every rugby playing boy and girl in the Manurewa school now wants in. Some fifty players tried out for the team this year.
Roscommon principal Sonia Johnston says it’s fast becoming a tradition.
‘‘Some of these students are younger siblings to players who previously won the Rippa National tournaments and they have set goals for themselves to do the same.
‘‘The competition just gets stronger each year, so it’s been fantastic that our students have continued to challenge them- selves and to realise our school motto: Whakapono ki a koeBelieve in Yourself.’’
Lurking among the 19 other teams in Wellington is another south Auckland school, one that’s eager to repeat their 2013 win when they beat Roscommon 25-15 in the final.
It’s Holy Cross School from Papatoetoe, the Auckland champions. They beat Pt England School 20-15 for the crown.
They have Buller, Tasman, Wairarapa Bush and Manawatu in their pool.
Their coach is Bryan ‘Ofamo’oni who guided Holy Cross to their only title.
‘‘It’s great to be back,’’ he says. ‘‘We missed out for the past two years but are thrilled to be back among the best teams in the country and representing Auckland.’’
‘‘We really appreciate the opportunity to play in this wonderful tournament.’’
Ioane Lui (boy captain), Kiana Poto (girl captain), Jeffrey Tautogi, Benjamin Ofa, Indiana Brown, Kaatana Brown, Freda Matamua, Talofi Kaifa, Tatiana Taihoa, Pati Fuipua.
Southland, Hawke’’s Wanganui and Wellington.
Opponents in its pool:
Bay,
Holy Cross School, Papatoetoe rippa rugby team:
Edward Asiata (boy captain), Gabrielle Lolohea (girl captain), Judah Mann, Watene McKay, Rimu Frandi, Paia EteiMichael, Gloryah-Grace Ualesi, Marietta Mata’afa and twins Bevron and Keesen SmithNansen.
Buller, Tasman, Wairarapa Bush and Manawatu
Opponents in its pool: