Pegasus Post: September 07, 2023

8 Thursday September 7 2023
St Thomas’ dream run puts
them in the big league
• By Jaime Cunningham
ST THOMAS of Canterbury
College completed a dream
New Zealand secondary schools
rugby league campaign by
claiming the national title in
their first-ever finals appearance
on Saturday.
They beat St Paul’s College
(Auckland) 12-6 in a thrilling final
to go through the three-day
tournament unbeaten.
It was also the first time a
school outside of Auckland had
lifted the trophy since 2000.
A large number of St Thomas’
supporters were on the sidelines
for their second clash against
St Paul’s of the tournament at
Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland.
St Thomas’ were first to score
in the final, and followed it up
with another try shortly after.
Despite trailing early, St Paul’s
managed to dot down for one
of their own before the halftime
break to close the gap to 10-6.
A hard-fought battle followed
in the second half, with both
sides unable to score due to
some impressive defence.
However, St Thomas’ extended
their lead with a penalty kick
after a high tackle by St Paul’s.
The two points would go on to
be the only points added to the
halftime score, and enough for
St Thomas’ to claim the national
title for the first time.
St Thomas’ had only managed
to make the semi-finals twice
before this year, but never the
final.
TOUGH: St
Thomas’ beat St
Paul’s College
(Auckland) 12-6
in a thrilling
final at Bruce
Pulman Park
in Auckland on
Saturday.
PHOTOS: NEW
ZEALAND
RUGBY LEAGUE
But in 2023, St Thomas’ form
was evident not only in their
results but also their dominance
in the national secondary
schools squad selected following
the tournament.
The school boasts nine players
in the 19-strong squad set to
play in a fixture against the
NZ Clubs squad on Labour
weekend next month. Haeata
Community Campus was the
only other Christchurch school
in any of the four tournaments
last week. They finished 11th in
the boys’ championship grade.
NATIONAL SECONDARY
SCHOOLS BOYS SQUAD
Sio Kali – St. Paul’s College
Maretino Kaloudau – St.
Thomas of Canterbury College
Sheldon Heywood – St. Thomas
of Canterbury College
Jackson Stewart – St. Thomas
of Canterbury College
Malakai Cama – Rotorua Boys’
High School
Quiann Feterikamafoe – St.
Paul’s College
Meihana Pullen – St. Thomas
of Canterbury College
Malakai Filippo – St. Paul’s
College
Noah Harmer Campbell – St.
Thomas of Canterbury College
Jason Salalilo – St. Thomas of
Canterbury College
Tepatasi Laumalila – De La
Salle College
Mikaele Ilaiu – Rotorua Boys’
High School
Junior Sikuvea – De La Salle
College
Sosaia Latu – Otahuhu College
Kalani P. Donaldson – De La
Salle College
Jeriko Fillipi Talisau – St. Paul’s
College
Zeke Faga-Iti – St Thomas of
Canterbury College
Ezikele Paulo – St. Thomas of
Canterbury College
Lenox Tuiloma – St. Thomas of
Canterbury College