The strongest schoolboy rugby side in NZ has just joined the World Schools Festival
Two of the strongest schoolboy rugby sides in the world are set to take part in the World Schools Festival in December, a press release has confirmed today. Hamilton Boys’ High of New Zealand and St Michael’s College of Ireland have both now been included in the eagerly anticipated tournament.
The World Schools Festival will see eight of the best schoolboy rugby sides on the planet take each other on in Thailand from the 11th to the 18th of December, with the winner having a right to call themselves the best rugby school in the world.
There will be huge interest surrounding the inclusion of these two schools.
Hamilton Boys’ High (New Zealand)
Hamilton are fresh from winning the 1st XV rugby title in New Zealand. This title gives them the right to call themselves the top rugby school in New Zealand for 2022. If that wasn’t exciting enough, their current side is littered with top rugby talent including the likes of Payton Spencer, the hugely gifted son of former Blues maestro Carlos.
Playing in purple and black, the team have won the favour of thousands of rugby fans this season with their attacking game and their desire to keep the ball in play. The outfit beat Napier Boys’ High to secure the First XV title in a 2-point win.
Undoubtedly many will be calling Hamilton Boys’ High one of the favourites to win the main cup of the World Schools Festival.
The 1st XV coach and deputy headmaster Nigel Hotham had this to say about today’s announcement.
“We are very excited to be playing this year. Competing at the World Schools Festival is a great opportunity for our School and the boys to play some of the very best schools in the world. It is a ground-breaking tournament, and we believe will help showcase and promote schools rugby to all rugby fans around the world. It will provide an amazing life experience and trip of a lifetime for many of our players who have never travelled overseas.”
St Michael’s College (Ireland)
St Michael’s College are rightly lauded as one of if not the best rugby school in Ireland. The Dublin-based side are regular fixtures in the closing stages of the Leinster Schools Cup. In 2022, Michael’s were narrowly beaten by Blackrock College in a final full of free-flowing rugby.
With former Ireland players such as James Ryan and Dan Leavy having attended the college, it’s clear to see why it is regarded as an obvious addition to the World Schools Festival this year.
This will be the first time that an outfit from Ireland has attended the festival. There will be plenty of expectation from the global rugby audience to see how the team competes against the sport’s best schoolboy talent.
“We are looking forward to being part of this fantastic new event,” said Andy Skehan, Director of Rugby at St Michael’s. “We are proud to be part of such a great line-up of schools from around the world. It’s truly unique. The tournament is ground-breaking, and as a rugby experience it will give our players some truly unforgettable memories of representing the College.”
Who has been announced so far in the World Schools Festival?
With the festival just a matter of weeks away, excitement has grown around which schools will be invited to take part in the festival.
St Michael’s College and Hamilton Boys’ now join Millfield school and the highly illustrious Grey College as the four teams announced so far.
Both Grey and Millfield are considered to be two of the biggest sides in schools rugby, rugby fans will no doubt be excited to see who would come out on top in these contests.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments