Dreams come true at Southern Cross
A desire to play top flight schoolboy footy prompted William Fakatoumafi and Samuel Nahi to change schools.
Their choice of Southern Cross Campus proved inspiring.
It delivered the Year 13 students the national secondary school rugby league premiership they always wanted before leaving school. Better still, each got picked in the tournament team, a selection that has alerted NRL agents and scouts to their promise.
Fakatoumafi, who moved to Southern Cross from Alfriston College at the start of the year, was named the tournament’s best fullback. Nahi, who transferred from nearby Mangere College, was the best halfback.
A third Southern Cross player, the imposing Nitoa Kairau, who scored a double in the 44-0 thrashing of Kelston Boys’ High School in the final, was the tournament’s best second rower.
‘‘Footy,’’ was the one word answer Fakatoumafi and Nahi gave when asked why they opted for Southern Cross.
They wanted a premiership and they wanted to pit themselves against the best. It was something reigning champions Southern Cross offered but Alfriston College and Mangere College couldn’t.
They say their moves were worth the gamble. ‘‘I don’t regret the decision,’’ Warriors development player Fakatoumafi, says. ‘‘I wanted to play in the nationals and win a premiership that’s why I picked Southern Cross. I was really proud of how far we got.’’
Fakatoumafi, and Nahi, won’t be the last to come knocking on Southern Cross’ door. And they’re not likely to be just boys either. Girls wanting to play rugby will also come knocking if the track record of the school’s girls’ 1st XV is anything to go by.
They’re untouchable in Auckland where they’ve won the premiership for the last four years running. They’re also the fourth best school girl team in the country after the national championships in Palmerston North early this month.
Rod Ratu says the systems and structures put in place by the school’s sports department is behind the success of his 1st XIII and the girls’ 1st XV.
‘‘We focus producing athletes, developing their skills and shaping their attitudes towards training, learning and self improvement. Much of what they learn becomes transferable to the classroom.’’