CNI Rugby

Big milestone for our 2017 MVP player Tupou Vaa’i.

Former Headboy and 1st XV Captain from Wesley College Rugby brings up his 50th match for the All Blacks.

Outstanding.

2026 Jordie Barrett Medal - 1st Place.

Year 13 student and captain of the Whanganui Collegiate School 1st XV James Olds is the inaugural winner of the Jordie Barrett Medal.

Playing primarily on the flank James led his side from the front and whilst WCS had a tough season Olds added some starch to the side.

Always close to the ball Olds scored 4 tries and his ferocious tackling, ability to make strong carries and also work hard for turnovers were strong features of his play. Olds gained the respect of 7 sides to earn three points and picked up a two pointer as well. He missed the St Paul's match via a blue card and was not involved in play off matches and ended up on 23 points from 9 matches.

Originally at Rathkeale College, he started at WCS in 2024 and had few games that year and has finished his 1st XV career with 46 matches. James is heading to Lincoln University to study a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing in 2027 and we are sure that he will make a good fist of what is on offer for his rugby down there with the very strong Lincoln University Rugby Club.

Congratulations James - all the best for what lies ahead.

2026 Jordie Barrett Medal - 2nd Place.

Year 13 student Reid Palmer from Lindisfarne College was a key part of the attack orientated back line that racked up loads of tries this season. Collection 9 himself during the season Reid played in a number of positions but for the big games was firmly placed at fullback.

In his third and final year for the Lindisfarne College 1st XV his season would have drawn the eye of selectors for higher honours as he is a naturally gifted player with speed and balance and a sharp eye for the try line.

Also collecting six 3 points and one 2 pointer for the season Reid finished on 20 MVP points but was placed 2nd due to Lindisfarne finishing higher in the CNI.

Well done on your time with the Lindisfarne College 1st XV Reid and all the best for what will lie ahead.

2026 Jordie Barrett Medal - 3rd Place.

Year 12 student Jay-Morris Rawiri from St John's College (Hamilton) had a very successful debut season in the CNI in 2026. Claiming third place in the Jordie Barrett MVP awards for the season Jay-Morris had a strong finish at the end of the season up the table.

A commanding presence in the lineout his game developed during the season and was a frequent try scorer for the Johnnies.

Collecting six 3 points and one 2 point - Jay-Morris finished on 20 MVP points for the season.

With a successful season under his belt expect Jay-Morris to feature strongly next year in the 2027 CNI season.

2026 CNI 1st XV Rugby Highest Points Scorer
Highest point scorer for the season was Year 13 student Jack Calcinai from St Peter's Cambridge with 127 points scored. Across the season Jack scored 6 tries, 44 conversions and 3 penalties during his 11 match CNI season.

Jackson Hay from St Paul's Collegiate was second placed with 108 points (6t, 27c, 8p).

Well behind these two that cleared 100 points we then had Jay Ladette-Pinfold (Lindisfarne), Oscar Fraser (Wesley), Emosi Vucago (FAHS), and Anson Waru (MC).

No surprise that goal kickers take out the top placings - but these six lads also know the way to the try line as well with 31 tries scored amongst them.

274 conversions were kicked and there were 37 penalties struck. No drop goals were scored this year.

Over all 25 boys kicked conversions and we had 16 boys kick a penalty. Jackson Hay kicked the most penalties with 8.

Note: - Scores as returned by the team managers on their result sheets.

2026 CNI 1st XV Rugby Top Try Scorer
Top try scorer for the season was awarded to Year 12 student Emosi Vucago from FAHS Feilding High School after scoring 9 tries across 8 matches.

Reid Palmer from Lindisfarne College also scored 9 tries but across 11 matches so Vucago picks up the award due to a superior strike rate.

Chasing them close behind them with 8 tries were Luteru Leilua (SJC Hamilton), Sam Brittin (Lindisfarne), and the FDMC pair of PJ Faoagali and Leteru Isiah.

Over all 162 boys scored 438 tries and there was one penalty try awarded.

Well done to these men from Matamata College.

Matamata College always producing the images - great to see.

Great photos 📸

Well done Alex.

Our internal team 321 award was awarded on Saturday to Alex Wrenn in our CNI Plate Final match against St John's College (Hamilton) at Owen Delany Park, Taupo.

Alex has stepped up into the 1st XV from the FAHS 2nd XV following the injury retirement of Monty Gibson for the season. Giving the middle row extra height has enabled our lineout to function to a higher level as Alex soon adjusted to the requirements at 1st XV level. On Saturday he soared in the lineout against an already well-known strong opposition lineout to win our ball and contest theirs. Alex also competed strongly around the park hitting rucks and managed to gain a couple of penalties by getting hands on the ball at a tackle.

Alex - a big step up to 1st XV rugby from 2nd XV rugby and you have grown so quickly in the few matches that you have played. To pick up a 321 in only your 6th match is very impressive and you should be proud of your growth and contribution.

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Kia Toa Kia Ngākaunui
Have Courage, Desire Greatly