Win marks decade of success for St Paul’s

Photo: JASON OXENHAM

WHAT A WIN: Members of the St Paul’s College premier league side are excited about winning their ninth Auckland championship in 10 years.

Victory in this year’s Auckland secondary schools rugby league championship marks a decade of success for the St Paul’s College premier team.

The school won its ninth title in 10 years after defeating Southern Cross 32-14 in the final at Mt Smart Stadium in June.

Coach and St Paul’s principal Mark Rice, who has guided the team for six years, says the results are a reflection of the school’s rugby league heritage.

"We’re very proud of that record. It shows a consistency over a number of years. It hasn’t been just one group of students."

St Paul’s has produced many New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis throughout its history, including Jerome Ropati, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana.

Rice says success on the league field has translated into better academic results for a number of the players.

"The idea that hard work brings reward has become very evident."

While St Paul’s has dominated the competition for such a long period, Rice says the team dynamic changes every year.

"This year we had a pretty small team. It’s not every year you have a great big side.

"It’s interesting as a coach how you change your approach – last year we used a slow power game, while this year it’s more about speed and skill."

Second rower John Palavi, 16, says it was an amazing feeling to win the championship for the school.

"We felt we achieved something big. A lot of the guys felt we wouldn’t win this year because of more competition."

Palavi is among a number of St Paul’s students in the Warriors development squad.

Meanwhile St Paul’s next major challenge is to defend their New Zealand secondary school title in Wellington later this month.

- © Fairfax NZ News