To the doubters above, there is no such thing as an easy rugby game in NZ.
From facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waverley-College-NZ-Rugby-Tour-2015/1548442288743702
Waverley College vs St Thomas of Canterbury (Christchurch
)
1st XV won 22-10 (tries: Narayan 2, Yoannidis, Muddle. Conversions: Narayan 1)
2nd XV won 26-10 (tries: Wallace, Drew-Morris, Tangiora, Keady. Conversions: Mood 2 Donaldson 1)
Our 2nd XV started the afternoon on a good note. This match was very physical. Waverley held strong field position early which led to a Lachlan Small try following a great team build up. Bayley Tangiora was next to score for the Blue and Gold putting Waverley ahead by 14.
St Thomas of Canterbury, our hosts, fought back a were able to put a try on the board off the back of broken play. As both teams were tired, drop ball started to come into the equation at the end of the first half in some very warm conditions.
A strong run by Jack Keady and a tidy backline move off the scrum, had Lachlan Wallace over in the corner to commence the 2nd half. The game continued to be very physical with Brooklyn Hardaker putting some big tackles on some larger opposition.
St Thomas' came back to score late, giving them a sniff. However, Lachlan Drew-Morris was able to score another nice team try. Waverley College victors 26 to 12.
The 1st XV faced up against some very well developed kiwi lads. St Thomas completed the 'Haka' before the match which I am sure will go down as a wonderful memory our boys (in both sides) will take away from the NZ experience. Our boys were very respectful as they took in this tradition.
Waverley proved to be extremely dominant early in the match, holding onto and using the ball well. A brilliant Tyzac Jordan ball to Arthur McKenna had Dion Narayan in for the first try out wide. Max Muddle was the next to go in, again with impressive build up by the team working as a unit. Waverley in front 10 to 0.
A small lapse in defence was all the opportunity St Thomas' needed to score their first try, with the host inside centre displaying very impressive footwork. At the break Waverley led 10 to 5. A highlight of the first half was the Waverley set piece including a strong scrum.
Patrick Clifton made a big charge with the ball from the kickoff, which put Waverley on the front foot early. Jaya Yoannidis was able to score wide from an impressive set move formulated by Coach Cornish. Narayan scored soon after and Waverley were up 22 to 5.
St Thomas' kept trying and testing our defence. This persistence led to a try and the home team started to get a roll on. Waverley's fitness was the telling factor in the end after the boys were able to make tackle after tackle. Waverley 1st XV 22 defeated St Thomas of Canterbury 10. Although rusty, the first Custard Pie of 2015 was celebrated.
Waverley College vs Kings High School (Dunedin)
2nd XV won 29-0.
(tries: Carr, Bell, Molloy, Drew-Morris, Donaldson. Conversions: Carr 2)
1st XV won 49-19.
(tries: McKenna, Cooper, Yoannidis, Jordan, Fuller, Muddle, Wright. Conversions: Narayan 5, Mood 2).
The 2nd XV/Development Squad started off the days rugby. The schedule of play would be 3 x 20 minute thirds for each 2nds and 1st XV matches.
Captain Zac Carr opened the scoring as Waverley held the ball well in good field position. Marco Bell then went over following a 'tight head' as the Waverley scrum seemed to be functioning well. Liam Molloy made it try number 3 for Waverley in the first third, the score now 17 to 0.
The second third provided an opportunity for Kings to test the Waverley defence. Our boys did very well not to allow any points in. Dominic Cartmer played his best game of the tour so far with some excellent tackles.
A flashy break by Franklin Elmes assisted by Bayley Tangiora had the visiting team in for the only try of the third as Lachlan Drew-Morris was able to barge over the line. The score 24 to 0.
The final third was very similar to the middle. Waverley's defence was tested out. Again the line of the defence was as solid as a rock, which included some great tackles by Joel Ellis. Following a quick turnover Waverley were able to capitalise with a good team build up in attack. This led to Benny Donaldson going over for his first 'meat pie' of the tour. Waverley winners 29 to 0.
The 1st XV charged out onto the park hoping to make it 4 from 4 for the Waves. Some excellent use of the ball early had Arthur McKenna in off a beautiful Tyzac Jordan ball. The home school then came back with a nice try to their number 8. Justin Cooper, who had an outstanding game, scored a beauty under the posts to put Waverley up 14 to 7 at the end of this third.
This third marked a nasty point of the match as Jack Clifford when down in pain with a knee injury. Thankfully, Kings High School staff as well as our own coaching staff were able to get Jack off to the hospital in quick time. The best news of the day was the call from Scott Coleman to say Jack was given the all clear by doctors!
Jaya Yoannidis started off on a flyer scoring a nice try early in the middle third. The home team then put their foot down and started to use the ball well. This tested
Waverley. A big tackle by Lachlan Small was not enough to hold out another try to the Kings number 8. In quick time Kings scored another on the back of a great run by their winger. Kings were well on top but Waverley still held onto a narrow lead at the end of the middle third, 21 to 19.
The fitness levels from the work the squad had done over Summer (since November 2014) was evident in the final third as Waverley played some excellent running rugby. Tries to Tyzac Jordan, Tom Fuller, Max Muddle and a ripper to Finn Wright had Waverley tasting Custard Pie again. I would also like to highlight the excellent goal kicking from Dion Narayan 5 from 5, and James Mood 2 from 2. Waverley winners 49 to 19.
Waverley College vs Gore High School (Invercargil)
2nd XV won 63 - 7
(Tries: L Wallace 4, J Keady 3, L James, A Hassan, B Tangiora, B Donaldson; Conversions: J Mood 2, Z Carr, B Tangiora)
1st XV won 42 - 0
(Tries: P Clifton, D Narayan, J Mohi, T Fuller, D Cartmer, F Elmes; Conversions: D Narayan 6)
The tour continued to Invercargill. We were greeted by sunny and fresh conditions on game day. The field was very soft which was a welcome relief to the dry and rock hard pitches we had played on in our previous matches.
Gore High School was a comparatively smaller school to Waverley. At the same time, a number of Gore High Old Boys such as Justin Marshall and Jimmy Cowan had gone on to play for the All Blacks. So although small in number, this school, like Waverley had a proud tradition in Rugby.
The 2nd XV started off the afternoon in what became a high scoring match. Jack Keady started off the scoring with a try early. Latham James went over for a good team try, which was closely followed by a Adam Hassan try off a beautiful Austin Wem pass.
While the scoreboard was looking good, Waverley lost the shape and structure which had been a focus at training. Gore High School did a great job defending the unstructured play with some very physical defence. Lachlan Wallace scored off a terrific set move created by Coach Coleman, as Waverley started to get their act together. The half time score 29 - 0.
The second half was very similar to the first as Jack Keady crossed for his second. The half time discussion was set on staying composed and being clinical, and the Blue & Gold started off in this fashion.
Donaldson was quick to score the second try of the half, but the locals hit back with a well deserved try to their inside centre. This come back was short lived as Jack Keady went in for try number 3, showing a good turn of foot on the wing.
The crowd were on their feet as Will Morton, the squad favourite, skipped away following some strong tight work by Max Torsellini. Morton was able to set Lachlan Wallace up for his second. Wallace then did the unthinkable scoring his third and forth in quick time to become the top try scorer of the tour! Waverley big winners in the end, 63 - 7.
The 1st XV had the opportunity of making it 6 wins from 6 games on tour. The desire for this achievement was displayed early as Patrick Clifton crashed over for the first 5 pointer. It was pleasing to see Patrick as well as several other boys have the opportunity of making their debut in the famous Double V on tour, something that can never be taken away.
Things turned a bit scrappy for Waverley as the home team took control of the match. This was a great test for the Waverley defensive structures, who held out so well.
On the back of this, the attacking structures took shape as Waverley produced some exciting running rugby. Justin Cooper made an excellent break and gave a miracle ball to Tom Fuller who put Dion Narayan over for a 'pretty' try.
Straight off the kick off Jackson Mohi scored out wide and the visiting side looked clinical in its attack - a sign of the commitment each player had put into the match.
Marco Bell, another debutant, came on with proud parents watching on the sidelines. This change had an immediate impact with Tyzac Jordan putting Tom Fuller over for a nice try under the sticks. The half time score 28 - 0.
Waverley held a great deal of the ball in the second half. Dominic Cartmer was disallowed a try following a quality Jordan and Narayan play, but soon justice was served as Dominic got his first try for the 1st XV. Very well deserved.
Another gorgeous passage of play had Franklin Elmes scoring under the sticks. Narayan slotted the goal quite appropriately to make it 6 from 6 conversions, as Waverley made it 6 from 6 victories on tour! A clean sweep!