New Zealand Rugby has many levels of competition. From the premier All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup, down to the ‘grassroots’ level. That includes First XV rugby–schoolboy age competition. One of the biggest is the Super Eight tournament that involves selected sides from the central region of the North Island. Under the spotlight, young stars shine in this invitational competition.
The Super Eight Schools concept not only involves rugby. The strength of this competition is that it covers a range of sports. Those include First XV, as well as Second XV rugby. Other sports include Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Clay Shooting, Cricket, Cross Country [running], Golf, Hockey, Football [Soccer], Tennis and Volleyball. Such a wide selection allows for schools across a wide-spectrum to challenge for national glory and representation.
The schools that compete for the Super Eight Schools title are:
- Gisborne Boys’ High
- Hamilton Boys’ High School *
- Hastings Boys’ High School
- Napier Boys’ High School (main picture)
- New Plymouth Boys’ High School
- Palmerston North Boys’ High School
- Rotorua Boys’ High School
- Tauranga Boys’ College
* Hamilton Boys High School are the reigning title holders
Formed in 1997, the New Zealand Super Eight group of schools incorporates the eight boys’ high schools from their respective provincial cities of the central North Island. The first sporting competitions commenced in 1998, involving rugby and cricket. Since that time, the Super Eight concept has grown to include not only 10 sports competitions, but also be a cultural festival and professional development programmes for management staff and curriculum teachers – courtesy of Super Eight website.
The focus on rugby (the national sport) means that First and Second XV rugby tournament has a major following. The proud histories of each of the schools means they place a high emphasis on this challenge. The teams train and play as if it were for national honours, and many of the teams present have taken that title. Seven of the last sixteen National champions, have come from Super Eight schools.
Young Stars Shine
Played over a seven round tournament, those began on June 11. The format allows for four points for a win, with a bonus point for teams scoring four tries or losing within seven points. To date, five rounds out of seven have been played, in a competitive league where two schools sit on top. Hastings BHS have played four matches, winning all and sit on 20 points. Hamilton BHS too sit on 20 points, but have played one extra game so the advantage goes to Hastings with three matches to play.
With bonus points on offer, winning with four tries is the main goal. That counts for the opposition too as well as losing by 7 points or under. Not that it is the goal, but a fair competition exists between all sides. Not every rugby player, every school get’s the opportunity that the Super Eight can offer. The Super Eight is one of several similar First XV tournaments, from the North Island to the South Island of the country.
Some of these games are also (at times) broadcast on the national sports channel SkySport. In a nationally broadcast segment, Landrover First XV Rugby is very popular with schools as it is a great way to expose the teams to a wider audience. Screened weekly in primetime viewing, it allows friends and families to see teams play. For Super Eight, it only builds on the competitive nature of the series.
Similar competitions played across the globe
These also mirror other countries, such as South Africa. There many schools hold ‘festival weeks’. In those, the inter-school challenge brings out the best in school rivalry. Sides must set goals and across all rugby playing nations, boys and girls self confidence grows through similar sports competitions. This starts at the primary age where the basics are learned. The fundamentals start first, the ball skills, tackling and the contact nature of rugby.
As well, playing as a team and communication are key. Listening to others, to your coach and learning from others. They can be Teachers who often take schools teams and through to high-performance and skills development. Some of the leading players today, like Kieran Read (pictured) started at this level and your school pride comes into play across all the ten sports within the Super Eight competition. The same challenge exists in Super Eight. Established rivalries are played out in practical competitions that pitch them over a full round-robin [seven games] that the students look forward to.
Young stars shine
This is where young stars shine and can ‘put up their hands’ toward further honours. In a way, it can be the start of a pathway for the future. Under 15, for region or club. Under 18 and then Under 20 representation can follow and many of the leading players that have passed through the junior levels of NZ Rugby, will have graduated from a tournament like this one. Additionally, Super Eight schools have produced over 100 All Blacks combined. New Plymouth BHS alone boasts 28 players–including four AB captains!
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Last Word On Sport will too ‘shine a light’ on this level. In the a follow-up article, LWOS will highlight the grand final of the Super Eight and share the results from that game in the coming weeks.
“Main photo credit”
