Consecutive NZ titles ‘career highlight’

Southern Cross Campus’ champion rugby league team have been given a heroes welcome.

Coach Rod Ratu and his players received a rapturous reception from appreciative school mates and teachers who are still basking in their team winning the secondary schools’ national rugby league championship at Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura.

Only a select few seniors were sideline to see their team win back-to-back premierships with a commanding seven try to none, 44-0, demolition of Kelston Boys’ High School.

The rest of the school watched every minute of the match on a live telecast on three screens located around the school. Every time Southern Cross scored, the neighbours heard about it.

Robin Staples says the win is a highlight of career as a principal.

‘‘The win by the school’s 1st XIII is one of the best of my career as a school principal. The team showed our Southern Cross Campus core character values of respect and resilience over the whole season.

‘‘This is a significant step for us in a long journey of students showing resilience to taking on a challenge and then succeeding. We’re delighted that we’ve not only done it once but now it’s back to back and I think the boys showed composure, real skill and flare and we’re just so proud of them.’’

No one though is quite as chuffed as Ratu, the coach Southern Cross Campus’ rise as a rugby league power base.

‘‘This definitely is a high point in my coaching career. It’s rare for a team to come together and put a performance like that. It was a near perfect save for a few errors in the second half. I put the win down to the power of goal setting and a camp we had in the April school holidays where the players committed themselves winning back to back titles.’’

The feel good factor wasn’t limited to just the Mangere East community where Southern Cross is located. It has filtered through to the Manukau Magpies, the Otahuhu Leopards, the Otara Scorpions and the Mangere East Hawks league clubs which all had boys in the team.

Three of Southern Cross’ best were second rower Nitoa Kairau, halfback Samuel Nahi and fullback, William Fakatoumafi. They all made the tournament team. Kairau scored a double in the final. Winger Dawson Mele scored three.