News

The Counties Manukau Secondary Schools competition gets into full swing this week with a full round of matches in all grades.

The 1st XV Championship begins with Alfriston College taking on the Papakura High School outfit from midday at Alfriston College while Pukekohe High School (2nd XV) travels to Waiuku to face Waiuku College.

Tuakau College/Onewhero Area School meet at Hauraki Plains College meet in the final round of the match.

Rosehill College meets Papakura High School Black in the Girls 10s competition on Friday afternoon at Massey Park in Papakura.

Elsewhere, Tuakau College/Onewhero Area School plays Waiuku College at Colin Lawrie Fields in Pukekohe while Papakura High School Green and Alfriston College in the latter game at Massey Park.

There are three games in the U15 Open Boys grade with Wesley College hosting Rosehill College, Pukekohe High School visiting Waiuku College while Papakura High School travels to Alfriston College.

In the U14 Open Boys grade Tuakau/Onewhero are on the road at Pukekohe High School while Rosehill College hosts Waiuku College in the other game.

We have 44 Secondary schools teams, up from 38 teams in 2022, this is our highest number of teams since 2015."

"Our teams range in competitions and we endeavour to ensure all our schools are playing in meaningful competitions with the hope of restoring our grades and teams home in some capacity in Counties Manukau in the near future,"

Counties Manukau Rugby's Community Rugby Champion - Teenage Space lead Shaun Atamu said.

"We have eight teams in our local 1st XV Championship and six in our Under 15 open grade. We welcome a local U14 grade, which is an important transition piece out of junior club and same goes for the under 19's for our student athletes leaving school. Whilst our local Girls 10s competition are a few weeks in now and off to a great start, secondary schools finals will take place on August 19.

"Around the grounds, it has been awesome to see our secondary schools putting in the work to be set for kick off. Pukekohe High School, Rosehill College, Waiuku College and Wesley College have enjoyed strong pre-seasons.

All Manurewa High School teams have been training as one unit, Papakura High School hosted a rugby camp and Alfriston College hosted jersey presentations. It has been special to see James Cook High School return with three teams and seeing Tuakau College and Onewhero Area School combine to ensure rugby is provided for their students.

"Alongside Secondary Schools rugby, there are some exciting events for the student athletes to look forward to such as our under 16 and under 18 talent ID/development days, Winter Tournament Week rugby for seniors in August, Secondary Schools Rugby 7s late October and Club of Origin 7s and 15s set for back-to-back weeks in October."

SECONDARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION DRAW