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South African schools show their class yet again in World Schools Festival
The quarter finals of the World School’s Festival in Thailand served some incredible drama for rugby fans today. Schools from South Africa shocked many with a perfect set of results in the main competition.
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The opening round of the cup saw some enticing encounters with the top teams from around the world clashing to see who can call themselves the best school’s side in the world.
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The opening game saw Eton College, currently ranked 6th in England by NextGenXV take on the formidable Dr E.G.Jansen from South Africa. From the onset, it was clear the South Africans had come to play, with early quickfire tries showing the strength and power of this side.
Despite some dogged defence from the Eton side, it was not enough to stop the Boksburg-based school from winning and putting a marker as one of the favourites to win this tournament.
Westlake Boys’ vs Hartpury College was undoubtedly the game of the day, with the latter initially opening up a decent lead against the school from Auckland.
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With just 5 minutes to go in the game, Westlake trailed by 12 points. However, the New Zealand side showed their class with a blockbuster finish to score a last minute try and level the game.
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As Westlake scored the first try in the game they went through to the semi finals of the Cup.
St Michael’s proved their pedigree as the top rugby side in Ireland with their comfortable victory over Rugby Travel Academy (South Africa). Dylan McNeice scored an impressive try in the second half.
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Michael’s will be now hoping to make the finals of the tournament on Sunday.
The final game of the day for the Cup tournament saw Oakdale from South Africa stun Cardiff and Vale from Wales in an epic encounter. The Welshmen put in a brave performance after they went down a man early on in the contest.
Oakdale set out their stall early on in the game.
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Going into the tournament, many rugby fans on social media didn’t give the South African sides much of a chance in the competition. This result shows their intention to prove those doubters wrong.
In 2022, Grey College went into the festival as favourites but lost to Hamilton Boys’ in the final.
Oakdale will be hoping to go one better and win the whole thing this season.
In the Girl’s Rugby 7’s the sides from Hartpury dominated with their Acorns and Oaks side putting in dominant performances.
Daisy Aspinall proved the hype around her with an incredible solo performance in both the matches she played in.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments