Waikato win tight final to take out Rippa Rugby Championship

Aug 23 • General News, International, School • 1595 Views • Comments Off on Waikato win tight final to take out Rippa Rugby Championship

Waikato have secured the Air New Zealand 2016 Rippa Rugby Championship title, defeating Auckland 25-15 in a tightly contested final of the two day national tournament in Wellington this afternoon.

Auckland (representing Holy Cross School in Papatoetoe) took an early lead as Waikato (Nawton Primary School from Hamilton) shook off their nerves and settled into the game, the half time score locked at 10 all. Waikato pulled away in the second half thanks in part to the lightning speed and skill of try scorer and Captain Paige Wilson.

Wilson put her team’s win down to team work and confidence.

“We have been training every day, we’ve worked really hard and we always wanted this one thing and it has happened. We feel like Olympians.”

Wilson said her team was looking forward to school tomorrow and sharing stories of their two days in Wellington.

Earlier, in the bronze final, Bay of Plenty, represented by Kawerau South School, beat Manawatu (College Street Normal School) 35-20 to take third place.

New Zealand Rugby Ambassador and former All Black, Keven Mealamu, and Black Fern, Kendra Cocksedge, were on hand at the tournament to provide support for the teams.

Mealamu said a 10-year old Keven would have loved to have been playing in a tournament like the Air New Zealand Rippa Rugby Championship.

“It’s very special to be part of. You can see how much fun the kids are having, so many smiles and laughs but the kids are competitive too.”

Cocksedge was impressed by the skills and abilities of the boys and girls playing.

“It’s really cool to give them the opportunity to come here to Wellington and be part of this. It’s such a big thing for them and so much fun.”

Two hundred Year Six boys and girls (10 years) from 20 schools across New Zealand took part in the fourth annual tournament after qualifying from regional tournaments earlier in the year.

South Canterbury, represented by Pleasant Point Primary School were awarded the team APPLAUD Award for being good sports. The individual APPLAUD award went to Buller’s Blake Craddock from St Canice’s Primary School.

New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Community Rugby, Brent Anderson, said the tournament was a great success and praised everyone involved for helping creating a positive, fun event.

“This year we included awards for demonstrating good sportsmanship because it’s key to ensuring everyone involved goes home with happy memories.

“This tournament reminds us all why we love rugby. Kids from all over the country have come together to represent their school and their province, have a good time, make friends and be part of a team. For parents, one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is a love of sport,” he said.

The tournament took place with the support of New Zealand Community Trust, Air New Zealand and New Zealand Rugby’s Principal Partner adidas.