First XV after more games

A Palmerston North school’s first XV want to play more games against top opposition.

Manukura lost 35-12 to Whanganui Collegiate School in Whanganui on Saturday in their only pre-season game.

Manukura play in the Manawatu¯ premier schools boys’ competition, which they won last year at a canter.

Coach and principal Nathan Durie wanted to play other top schools more, whether it be in Manawatu¯ or other regions, for the sake of competitive games.

He said Manukura, which had lost players to larger schools in other regions, had no other interschool or pre-season matches planned despite asking across the lower North Island.

‘‘The opportunity to play against people like [Collegiate] is really good, but when they’re only one-offs it’s kind of diving in the deep end.

‘‘If we could play more teams like that we could get better.’’

The region’s top two rugby schools, Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Feilding High School, play in the Super 8 and central North Island competitions, respectively.

Durie said strong regional competitions could keep players outside the elite schools interested.

‘‘Unless they find a solution to include the masses, people are walking out on the sport in their droves.’’

He said some players felt they had to go to an elite school if they wanted a career in rugby.

Manukura are a young side this season, with nine 15-year-olds, and were competitive in parts against Collegiate, but could not maintain it. Collegiate started strongly, scored two intercept tries and were up 22-0 at halftime before Manukura showed more fight in the second half.

Captain and loose forward Sheldon Tairea worked hard in trying circumstances, while young halfback Orlando Peni and centre Nathan Tutahione stood out.

Meanwhile, giving three tries away proved costly for a rusty Feilding High School boys’ first XV in a 20-10 loss to New Plymouth

Boys’ High School in Waverley.

Feilding made a bad start to the pre-season fixture by giving away a penalty try for an early tackle, and an intercept try at the back end of each half did not help.

Coach Justin Lock said his side had their fair share of ball but did not do enough with it and were a bit rusty.

He said they had been training for only two weeks and would continue improving. ‘‘There’s not a lot there that time won’t fix.’’

Feilding trailed 12-5 at halftime and scored a try in each half.

No 8 Eseroma Waqalevu was Feilding’s standout player, while halfback Josh Holm did well dealing with ordinary service, and blindside flanker AJ Malili-maloLauano carried strongly.

Feilding next play Hastings Boys’ High School in Hastings on Saturday next week.

The Palmerston North Boys’ High School first XV start their season against Lindisfarne College in Palmerston North this Saturday.

Manawatu¯’s top two schoolgirl sides clash in a pre-season game on Wednesday, with Feilding High School and Manukura playing at Manukura.