The echelon has been whittled down, with only two teams remaining at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Nationals, being held at Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura this week.
In what has been a week of upsets, the final two have been found in Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu College, and St Paul’s College, both schools which have tasted success on the national stage before.
The Ōtāhuhu side were very unlucky this year, missing out on their shot at Auckland’s College Rugby League title earlier on in the year, due to fielding an ineligible player.
St. Paul’s captain, Beau Cordtz, says, “I think having a physio in camp at lot of the days, doing recovery, stretches, foam rollers, just the recovery and eating well. I think it has got us to where we are today.”
Yesterday, St. Paul’s beat a spirited Mt. Albert Grammar School side, who were tipped as favourites to take the title, boasting numerous players who have already been scouted by NRL sides.
That being said, Ōtāhuhu’s march to the finals was smooth, running in an impressive 24-14 performance against Tāmaki College, in the second semi-final of the day.
The finale, scheduled for kick off on Bruce Pulman Park Field 1, is a replay of the 2011 National Secondary Schools final, in which new Vodafone Warriors recruit, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, led Ōtāhuhu to victory in the encounter.
Our sports reporter, Te Aorere Pewhairangi will have an in-depth report from the clash of the titans tonight on Te Kāea, 5:30pm.