Story courtesy of College Sport Media

Jacob Kennedy electrified Wellington College at the 97^th annual quadrangular First XV rugby tournament. The winger or midfield back scored four tries in two games to lead Wellington College to an unlikely victory that trigged senses of euphoria not witnessed on the ‘Col terraces’ for several years.

In both games, Wellington, who hadn’t won the tourney since 2014, flipped ten-point deficits to achieve improbable victories against Christ’s College (32-26) and Whanganui Collegiate (32-31).

“Coming into the week, we were the underdogs, so winning is definitely something to remember and a very special week for us,” Kennedy said.

“We got the whole week off school, apart from Friday. On Monday we started off with a classroom session, talking about what we wanted out of the week and aimed to achieve. That moved into some training, to go over some of our plays and a light walk-through ahead of the game the next day.

“We were playing the second game on Tuesday, so we had a bit of time in the morning. We had a powhiri and then the morning tea. It’s the oldest secondary school rugby tournament in the country, so there is a lot that happens off the field.

“It was quiet on Wednesday, heading into that final. The boys were in their own space preparing for another big game.

Down 0-19 against Christ’s College on Tuesday, Wellington appeared destined for the consolation playoff. That was until Kennedy scored a 50m try dashing around the outside of Christ’s defense to establish a 27-26 advantage Wellington never lost.

“It’s our teamwork that got that try. The forwards put in the hard work early, and there were a couple of nice draws and passes and I managed to work my way around that last defender and get over the line,” Kennedy said.

“They never gave up. On the last play, we knew we had to push across as they were moving the ball wide and we were rushing to get to that edge. Fiti [Aliva] and Carisma [Faitala] got under that ball and stopped a try. They literally put their whole body on the line, and it was an amazing way to end that match.”

Whanganui Collegiate beat defending champions and Crusaders title holders Nelson College to earn their place in the final. Whanganui hadn’t won the tournament since 1991 but were warm favourites at the top school in the fiercely competitive Central North Island competition. Wellington started like a dream, surging to a 12-0 lead in as many minutes with Kennedy dotting down twice, including a 40m gallop from a dramatic intercept.  

“With the terraces packed and all that noise, I was ready. There is no other game I have been so prepared for and a nice break and a tip-on to me by co-captain Jack Riley was the perfect start.

“Then the second try was just a case of picking up the mistake from the Whanganui player and finishing off strongly.”

Whanganui regrouped quickly and using their size and illusive midfield charged ahead 26-15 with 20 minutes remaining. Something had to give, and it did. Kennedy poached a 70m intercept.

“I took a bit of a risk going for the intercept, but it paid off,” Kennedy said.

“There were a couple of key moments that I remember from the Quad and that was one of them.

“All our away results have been a bit dodgy this year, but having a big crowd on the sideline cheering us on, it is unreal. It is probably the closest our boys will get to a big-time match before playing professional rugby.”

The winning moment was a clutch penalty goal kicked by Year 11 first-five Archie Sims.

“Nailing a kick like that, from that far out, near the corner, and with that much pressure is not something that many people can do at that age,” Kennedy marvelled.

“The pressure he must have been under, it would have only been his second or third time playing in front of a crowd like that, and to be able to do something like that is special, and with two more years left in the First XV I am looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

In a case of déjà vu, Wellington was forced to defend doggedly to preserve the lead. Whanganui mounted an audacious attack from their own goal line which finished with a slight knock-on with their last raid of the match.

“I was just in shock. I wasn’t really sure if it was really over. I had given everything I had in that game, and I couldn’t believe it. The crowd was held back and weren’t allowed onto the field until we had all celebrated as a team and thanked the opposition. It was a special moment when they all came on and congratulated us.”

Kennedy emulated Jason Bowie of Whanganui Collegiate (1989) by scoring three tries in a final. Wellington won the tournament for the 38^th time. At the start of the year, Kennedy wasn’t even a winger.

“I’ve never really done athletics before. I did the 400m last year and did okay in that. This year I thought why not give the 100m a go? I did a bit of training and came third at the McEvedy Shield so I just continued that speed training on to the season. That is part of the decision to move out to the wing.”

The Saturday before ‘quad’ Wellington was beaten by St Bernard’s College in the Premiership.

“We let ourselves down against St Bernard’s and Wairarapa College, but that is the reality of it. It means it is not up to us anymore, we are relying on other teams to falter, and we need bonus points in all our remaining games.”

“We need to play to our strengths, which is moving the ball and getting our strong forwards and ball runners into the game.”

Wellington continued their resurgence on Saturday with a 64-0 win over Mana College. Kennedy scored six tries in a Premiership win that leaves the door ajar for Wellington to make the semis. It's likely six tries is a single match is a Premiership record. Malo Tuitama scored five for Scots against Hutt International Boys' School in 2014.

A Johnsonville junior, Kennedy has been a Wellington U18 Centurions representative and Hurricanes U16 player.  

Scots College tops the Premiership after a 32-17 victory over previously undefeated St Patrick’s College, Silverstream on July 2.

Article added: Wednesday 19 July 2023