Story courtesy of College Sport Media

It is a top of the table clash between two teams with unbeaten records in this year’s Tranzit Coachlines First XV Premiership. However, before we get too excited, both these teams are already in a position to take the top two seedings and thus secure home semi-finals in the place-offs regardless of Saturday’s result. So, what is really up for grabs is bragging rights just before the holiday recess for secondary school sport.

Scots and St Patricks’s College (Silverstream) have both dominated this year’s Premiership, having each secured six four-try-bonus-point wins. Scots leads the table as they have posted larger margins. Besides a pre-season loss to top Australian school, Barker College (from Hornsby in New South Wales) the team has not really been tested. Scots have even just enjoyed a substantial 61-26 mid-week win over traditional rivals Lindisfarne College.

Silverstream come into the match after a ten-day break. Their last game was their midweek traditional against Rongotai Collage. A lack-lustre performance that was probably one of the team’s lesser displays of the season. Rongotai challenged Stream in different phases which should have provided Stream with valuable lessons on work-ons in preparation for this weekend’s clash.

Besides that one display, Stream have played consistently good rugby posting some nice wins. This includes victories in traditionals against strong opponents: St Bede’s College (Christchurch), Palmerston North Boys’ High School and New Plymouth Boys’ High School. The latter result was achieved up in the Taranaki at BHS’ infamous Gully Ground.

Stream captain, Maui Winitana-Patelesio is playing his third season in the First XV. He feels this year is different as the team is not based around individual stars but in how well the team has worked collectively. “With being in the backs, we are all pulling together in defence and putting the passes out to see our teammates get through,” he said.

St Patrick’s College (Silverstream) won the Premiership last year, however much of last year’s side finished their schooling in 2022. What is impressive, and indeed testimony to the school’s development programme, is the way a number of new players have quickly stepped up to play competitive First XV rugby.

Silverstream are realistic in knowing they face a tough challenge against a large forward pack and some considerable experience in the Scots’ midfield. In talking to teams that have already played both Stream and Scots, the definite consensus is that Scots are the team to beat. So it’s likely that Scots will go on the field as favourites. 

Scots coach Tane Tuipulotu has not had time to reflect on who are favourites. He knows, even stemming back to his schoolboy playing days that Stream is a school to never take lightly. “It’s not just the players but it’s also the people behind the scenes and the school’s traditions that need to be respected. This is the type of match-up we want so that we can see where our rugby stands.”

In their game against St Patrick’s College (Town), Scots faced some initial difficulties breaking through a nearly equally sized forward pack. On that day they were able to tap into the experience of second five, Ieti Campbell. Campbell’s ability to be a fulcrum in the backline gave his outside backs the opportunity to outplay the opposition and get initial first-half advantage. From there, the Scots forward pack resumed normal service with the team scoring five second half tries.

One of the key things this Saturday’s game could come down to is discipline. Both sides have shown an over-eagerness at the breakdown and if the banter starts flowing then mental composure will become essential. Experienced referee Hamish Mexted will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the collision zone. Again, Scots College coach Tane Tuipolutu has been strong in his messaging to his team to stay “focused on playing for school pride, your families and your teammates.”

One luxury for the game is that the Silverstream number 1 field has not been used for a number of weeks. With the last recorded fixture being played on 27 May and with the recent sunshine, the pitch will be one of the better playing surfaces in Wellington.

Scots and Silverstream are the two Titans of this year’s Premiership, for all intents and purposes they are in a league of their own.

There is a good contest brewing for the remaining two play-off berths. Wairarapa and Hutt International Boys’ School are both in good positions to make this year’s Top 4. This is something the boys from Masterton have previously achieved but if successful this will be a new experience for the boys from Trentham. These two teams will play their round seven fixture on the delayed date of 15 July at the Racecourse.

This weekend also sees an important match-up between St Patrick’s College (Town) and Rongotai College, at Evans Bay. The home team are on a bit of a roll having won three games in a row. However, Rongotai would have got a lot of positives out from their recent match with St Pat’s (Silverstream). They are a team with potential and can still build on that performance even in this later stage of the season.

2023 Tranzit Coachlines 1stXV Premiership records thus far:

St Patrick’s College (Silverstream)

• Win, Wairarapa College 47-5 (home)
• Win, Tawa College 71-7 (home, transferred)
• Win, St Bernard’s College 61-5 (home, transferred)
• Win, HIBS 48-0 (away, transferred)
• Win, Wellington College, 32-19 (away)
• Win, Rongotai College 28-12 (away)

Scots College

• Win, Mana College 87-5 (away)
• Win, Wellington College 31-0 (home)
• Win, St Patrick’s College (Town) 49-7 (home)
• Win, Rongotai College 57-19 (home)
• Win, HIBS 65-21 (home)
• Win, Wairarapa College 59-7 (away)

In all their games both Silverstream and Scots have scored four tries or more.

Article added: Thursday 29 June 2023