Defending champions draw tough pool
Otahuhu College are in the pool of death for the coming secondary school rugby league nationals in Papakura.
The defending champions are in pool A along side recently crown champions of Auckland and last year’s beaten grand finalist St Paul’s College, Aorere College and Manukura School from Palmerston North their opening day opponents on August 29 at Bruce Pulman Park.
It is tough pool for the new look Otahuhu team which struggled to make an impression in the just finished College Rugby League championship.
Only eleven months ago, they and traditional powerhouse St Paul’s, played out a thrilling national secondary school grand final with Otahuhu captain Komiti Vetenotu calmly kicking a conversion after the final hooter for an 18-17 win.
But the south Aucklanders haven’t been in that form this season. They finished in the second-tier pennant competition in the College Rugby League championship, while St Paul’s went on to beat Wesley College for the premier.
Aorere College, who open against St Paul’s, have a lot to prove to themselves after finishing in the top eight but failing to make the semi finals of the Auckland championship.
Manurewa High School, who beat Southern Cross Campus for the plate, is in pool B alongside Kelston Boys’ High School, Mt Albert Grammar School and Whangarei Boys’ High School.
Their first game is against Mt Albert Grammar School.
Papatoetoe, the 2014 development winners will contest that grade again.
The final of the five day tournament is on September 2.