Back to back victories for St Thomas at the Canterbury 9's!

Team talk

In a huge effort St Thomas of Canterbury College retained their title, winning the Canterbury Secondary School Junior Rugby League 9 aside for the second year in a row. Undefeated in pool play St Thomas came up against a Linwood High School team who weren't going to give an inch. The game went into two periods of golden point - sudden death before St Thomas forced a goal line drop out that linwood put out on the full. Kicking to win the game from directly in front, the kick deflected of the post, however quick ball movement resulted in a try in the corner. Having effectively played an extra game St Thomas went into the final against a large 
Shirley Boys High School team that had steamrolled their opposition. Some great tactical kicking and agressive defence saw STCC quickly go three tries up, and some great defence shut SBHS until Elisara Vaifale sealed the win with a runaway try right on the fulltime hooter.Player of the Tournament was Suli Sulimona, but it was a great team effort, with every player standing up and doing their part. The boys were fired up by a great group of supporters, a special thanks to Domanyc Fidow-Kele and Jalen Tangiiti-Turner for their work with the boys.Also Awesome to see Lincoln High School, the only other school from the western part of Christchurch putting a team in and coming third.

warming down

victory photo

Elisara Vaifale about to score as the final hooter sounds

dog pile as Elisara Vaifale scores on the final hooter

NZRL National Secondary Schools Vodafone Warriors video Highlights Package

Interviews and highlights from the week long secondary schools rugby league tournament held in Papakura

St Thomas fall at final hurdle NZSSRL Nationals 2015

For the second time St Thomas have made the developing schools final at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League national Tournament, but like 2013 when STCC couldn't claw back Rotorua Boys High  (18-24) St Thomas have had to settle for second place, losing the final 12-18 to a tough opponent in unbeaten Wesley College who returned to the final in 2015 after their first appearance in 2014. 
The Saints showed a lot of determination and grit to race out to a 12-0 lead in the Developing Grade final against Wesley College. Much to the surprise of the big crowd the STC boys dominated in the tackle and pressured their heavily favoured opponents. Wesley fought their way back capitalising on some errors in the STC half and levelled the score at 12 all going into halftime. Ultimately the big Wesley forwards began to get on a roll and star half Wetere Pompey exploited the saints defence to score an impressive individual try which sealed the 18-12 win for Wesley college. The STCC 1st XIII can hold their heads high after a great week of football 

and a courageous display in the final . 

The future bodes well for Rugby League at the 

college with 16 players returning next year 

for the footy season with the Saints.

James Cook High School Whanau - thank you so much for being amazing hosts this week. You have made us feel at home and supported us through thick and thin. Matua Hori you are a legend! Thank you for your wise words and encouragement. A truly great man.

A massive thank you to Brian Roughan for his assistance 
and contribution up at tournament all week. 
Also to the players' families and friends who made
 the trip up to support our team during the week.

Special mention to our league brother school Aranui High School. The Haka you performed for the Saints was a massive lift for the team. Thank you so much for your support during the week.

 A massive thank you to our sponsors who helped make this trip possible through their support - Nigel Thompson Motor Car Company, Pak n Save Hornby, Ellerslie Tyre and Auto and Lucky Smythe.

Some highlights of the Tournament were STCC being a finalist in the Cultural Salute category with some rousing renditions of the college Haka, and  a motivational talk from ex-NRL player Wairangi Koopu thanks to the organisation of one of our sponsors Lucky Smythe. Wai had some great words of encouragement for the lads before their last game of pool play against Onehunga High School.

Results
pool play

vs Papakura won 52-0
vs Francis Douglas won 18-14
vs Onehunga lost 12-28

Semifinal
vs Trident College won 14-6

Final
vs wesley College lost 18-12 

Some positive feedback for our boys from Constable Seluone Seluone:

"Last week I assisted in policing the NZSSRL tournament in Papakura, Auckland.I had the pleasure of taking Klayton Tipene Waikato and Keanau Newson to a school in Otara to do a leadership talk. 

These guys were professional (excellent choice wearing full school uniform - some schools were dressed to lounge around and watch a movie, shameful and poor effort!), well spoken and engaged well with the kids.Just wanted to point out what an asset they are to the school and they represented not only themselves and the school with distinction, but Canterbury as a whole...It was refreshing for me, a youth aid officer to interact with positive, motivated and driven youth. I wish them all the best and keep up the great work at the school!

and Duane mann:

“I don’t get to see the teams from Christchurch very often and, back in the day, Aranui were strong contenders at national tournaments...St Thomas was playing on the field next to them, so I was watching both and both were quite strong. They were quite physical, especially in the forwards, and wore their opposition down.“Their halves .. had pretty smart kicking games and .. props had some nice one-on-one contacts.”

Set for Nationals!

Two more days to go before the New Zealand Secondary School Rugby League Nationals in Auckland!
 Our Team is Klayton Waikato, Tahemaka Nui, Will Bartels, Brodie Floris,  keanau Newson,  Keana Wanoa, Taani Taufa, Asoono Puni, Amani Ah Kuoi, malyche Tafili, Delane Luke, Moresby Peseta, Tyran Taugofie, TJ Taufale,  Hugo Moffett, Brodie Grieg,  Faafetai Tuu, Auckland Tuu, Enoka Mataafa, and Zinzan Martin.

We wouldn't have been able to make this trip without the generous support of  Lucky Smythe,  Pak n Save Hornby, Nigel Thompson Motors and Ellerslie Automotive and Tyres

With players from our school 1st XV, Papanui Tigers, Hornby Panthers, Halswell Hornets, Linwood Keas and the Celebration Lions hope to reaching the emerging schools final, as we did in 2013, but go one better and win it.

Our draw
Monday
Game 1 2.45pm vs Papakura HS
Tuesday
Game 2 10 am vs Francis Douglas Memorial College
Wednesday
Game 2 10 am vs Francis Douglas Memorial College
Thursday
Semi
Friday
Finals

Emerging Schools pools and draws for Nationals

Emerging schools pools and draws for New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament

monday 2.45 vs Papakura HS

Tuesday 10am vs Francis Douglas Memorial

Wednesday 11.45am vs Onehunga HS

Thursday Semifinals

Friday Finals

Trade Me Fundraiser for the NZSSRL Tourney in Auckland

As part of our fundraising for the trip to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Nationals in Auckland this September, we are selling some collectibles on Trademe, including a training Shirt and Singlet generously donated by the Cronulla Sharks and signed by Nu Brown, and a Northern Territories Indigenous All Stars Jersey generously donated by Paul Ruri.
Travel away to tournaments is always expensive, and it is a stretch for some of our boys to make it, so please bid on these items and check our listings for updates!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/rugby-league/apparel/other/auction-901535321.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/rugby-league/apparel/other/auction-901543711.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/rugby-league/apparel/other/auction-901533111.htm

Fundraising begins for NZSSRL Nationals in Auckland!

Our Boys have to raise $8,000 to reach the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Nationals being held in Auckland in early September. 
We are fundraising and looking for sponsors to get there but Travel away to tournaments is always expensive, and it is a stretch for some of our boys to make it, so please support us by Sponsoring us, donating online at Givealittle, bidding on one of our Trade Me auctions, or just by sharing this message on your Social Media


Givealittle is a crowdfunding site that we have a page on and is a great way to contribute and show support.

We are looking for a major jersey front sponsor, and individual sleeve sponsors ($250).
Our sponsors  will acknowledgement of your support in media such as NZ League magazine and local media, our school magazine and newsletters. Display of your logo on our website, mobile app, and facebook page. Their logo displayed at the NZSSRL Tournament, our school training camp in December and other league oriented events, such as last years anti bullying and rugby league skills clinic, run by the Cronulla Sharks and covered by Television One News.
Last year participation in this tournament was covered by Radio Sport, TV One, TV 3, Maori TV and sky TV, and is likely to be covered again this year.

We are selling some collectibles on Trademe, including Cronulla Training shirts and singlets signed by Nu Brown and a Northern Territories RL Jersey donated by Paul Ruri

Just posting this page on your social networks and sharing it with your friends will also go a long way to helping us.

Thanks for your support!