19 April 2025
The 2025 National 9s Tournament kicked off today seeing players and supporters from throughout Aotearoa flock to Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park. Ex-cyclone Tam’s strong winds blistered across the fields but conditions remained fine as the rain held off. Day 1 produced exciting, fast-paced matches in both boys and girls 16s grades.
The first round saw a number of convincing wins in the Boys 16s division. Wellington started the campaign strong with a solid 18-0 win against Manawatu, a nice chip and chase in the second half sealing it for them. Auckland Blue took out the Northern Swords 22-8, while Bay of Plenty held Waikato scoreless 22-0. It was slightly tighter with Auckland White versus Southland, Auckland winning 14-4.
Round two match ups were much closer, the Wellington game against Northern Swords especially. The Swords took the lead but a Wellington pass out the back of the hand in a tackle set their winger off on the right edge to level it up. Again, on the right edge, Wellington was able to spin out of a tackle before dotting over to take the half time lead 8-4. In the second half, Wellington got the first score to put the pressure on Northland, but despite 4 points later in the match it wasn’t to be going down 12-10.
Bay of Plenty took a close one against Southland 14-10, and Auckland White went 18-4 against Waikato meaning both teams were two from two, with all to play in the last round.
The match-up between Auckland White and BOP in the last round would determine rankings for Day 2 on one side of the draw, and it was Auckland that took the ascendancy 14-0. There was no coming back for BOP, Auckland White taking it out 18-8.
Southland was on the hunt for their first win of the day, leading Waikato at half time 8-4, but it was Waikato that struck back first in the second half to level it up. The second half was all Waikato though, seeing out the game after a bevy of tries 24-12.
Meanwhile Auckland Blue were leading Wellington narrowly into the half also at 6-4. Auckland then scored first in the second to lead 12-4, meaning it was all on Wellington. Wellington did score next but Auckland took a try back to take it to 16-10. A spectacular chip over the defence by Wellington, recovered under the posts saw them go within two with mere seconds to go. Wellington converted to see the game finish all tied up 16-16. That draw left them both with two wins in the section.
With Southland up against Bay of Plenty first up, it was a tight one before the last play of the first half saw Bay of Plenty break for a nice run before diving over and taking the lead. Southland then came out strong in the second half but couldn’t get over the line. Bay of Plenty made the most of the ball when they got it though, fighting their way down the field to score in the left corner. Southland managed to get one back later in the second half to keep them in the hunt. And hunt they did, coming off the scrum to the blindside to level it up 8-8 right on the buzzer.
Last year’s winners Waikato were able to hold off Auckland White to take it 14-4, whereas Manawatu took a tight one against Wellington 18-16.
In the second round Manawatu had another close game, tying with Auckland Blue 16 all. Wellington was able to get a win back against Northland, Auckland White also getting their first win, with Bay of Plenty taking out Waikato 14-6.
With no team two from two, the third round was where the teams would be split in the Girls 16s. Northland and Southland were also both looking for their first wins, up against Manawatu and Waikato respectively.
A tight match between Auckland White and Bay of Plenty saw Auckland take the early lead before Bay of Plenty fought back right before the half. Both teams exchanged tries in the second half before BOP sealed it at the end, the final score 18-10.
Auckland Blue versus Wellington ended with Wellington taking the tight win 12-8, Manawatu saw off Northland 24-12, and Waikato beat Southland 18-4.
This put Manawatu and Bay of Plenty top of their sections with all to play for on finals day.
For all draws and results, visit Sporty.
And to watch all the finals on Day 2, watch our free livestream.
