TBHS success stirs rugby talent scouts

Timaru Boys’ High School grabbed their highest finish yet at the national schools’ sevens tournament in Auckland.

The team only suffered one loss in their six games at Sacred Heart College at the weekend – to eventual champions Hamilton Boys High School – who beat Rotorua Boys’ 22-14 in the final.

The TBHS playoff for fifth against New Plymouth Boys’ High School was a nailbiter with the scores locked twice – at 5-all, then 10-all. Both sides scored another try but in the end a conversion by Jimmy Robertson was the difference with TBHS coming out on top 17-15.

Coach Kurt Rooney praised his side’s efforts.

‘‘We have been training for this for a long time and the boys delivered.’’

Rooney said the squad had a good balance with both size and speed.

‘‘Joel [Hill], Ryan [Greenslade] and Jimmy (Robertson) all have great ball skills and big John Vasu was also in good form.’’

Rooney said Shane Fikken and George Brown got through plenty of hard work, with some big defensive hits.

‘‘George had a big final game winning some crucial turnovers.’’

Taniela Wacokecoke also had a good tournament, but missed the game against New Plymouth with a shoulder injury.

Rooney said the team really wanted to finish strongly after the loss Hamilton Boys’.

‘‘That hurt so they were keen to prove themselves by winning their final two games.’’

Rooney said the team’s success meant a number of scouts were looking.

TBHS went through pool play unbeaten, accounting for Whangarei Boys’ High School 24-17 in a thriller, thrashing St Peters Invercargill 46-0 and cruising past Western Heights Rotorua 24-5.

TBHS then unfortunately drew defending champions and tournament favourites Hamilton Boys’ High School in quarter finals, with HBHS too classy, winning 27-5.

TBHS bounced back to beat Fielding High School 24-19 in the playoff for 5th to 8th. After being tied 12-all at halftime and 19-all at fulltime, the game went to golden point and Hill became the hero after running 60 metres down the sideline to break the deadlock.

It was the third year in a row TBHS had qualified for the national event with the experienced Brown, Fikken and Harry Bampton playing in all three.

The girls title went to Howick College, who upset Hamilton Girls’ High School 24-12 in the final.