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1st XV watch: Isaiah Punivai shines in St Kent's quad win
By RugbyPass
New Zealand schoolboys centre and Crusaders u18 representative Isaiah Punivai helped St Kentigern's College to a convincing win in their annual quadrangular tournament this week. The star centre was on form, showing he will be a handful in the 1A competition this year. He will likely retain his starting 13 jersey in the New Zealand schoolboys with continued performances like this.
St Kentigern's were too powerful for their fellow opposition, outscoring St Andrews 62-21 in the final after beating Scots College 62-5. They were without New Zealand schoolboys first five-eighth, Rivez Reihana, who will boost the side on return as they look to capture their sixth 1A title of the decade.
Young openside Cam Church of St Kentigern's was impressive with stout defence and strong running in one start against Scots College, whilst the Kents forward pack as a whole dominated inside the opposition 22. Their front row props scored a combined 10 tries over two games.
From Scots College, Wellington number 8 Epa Sailo led from the front with a number of strong carries and committed cover defence. Fullback Roderick Solo, who burst onto the scene at the Condor Sevens nationals late last year, continued his form and will contend for the Hurricanes u18 this year and push his case forward for New Zealand schools in the outside backs.
Young first-five Oryaan Kalolo showed impressive skills for Scots College and will be one to watch for the future.
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Latest Comments
Steve Borthwick appointment was misguided based on two flawed premises.
1. An overblown sense of the quality of the premiership rugby. The gap between the Premiership and Test rugby is enormous
2. England needed an English coach who understood English Rugby and it's traditional strengths.
SB won the premiership and was an England forward and did a great job with the Japanese forwards but neither of those qualify you as a tier 1 test manager.
Maybe Felix Jones and Aled Walter's departures are down to the fact that SB is a details man, which work at club level but at test level you need the manager to manage and let the coaches get on and do what they are employed for.
SB criticism of players is straight out of Eddie Jones playbook but his loyalty to keeping out of form players borne out of his perceived sense of betrayal as a player.
In all it doesn't stack up as the qualities needed to be a modern Test coach /Manager
Go to commentsBut still Australians. Only Australia can help itself seems to be the key message.
Blaming Kiwis is deflecting from the actual problem.
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