20 April 2025
Finals day here at Bruce Pulman Park as teams battled it out in the morning for their chance to get to the finals. Wellington looked sharp throughout the divisions, making it to three of the four finals with the Boys 18s especially team looking to take the title out for two consecutive years.
With the weather playing ball in the main, another great day of fast-paced footy was guaranteed.
After taking out Waikato in the semis, Wellington cemented their place in the final in a bid to go back-to-back. With Bay of Plenty taking out a tough semi against Auckland Blue 8-4 with a late try, it was going to be a tough final.
Final score: Bay of Plenty Lakers 10-6
In the final showdown of the weekend, Bay of Plenty took it to the Orcas immediately. They took the kick off, gained good metres to get across the line and take the lead right from the off.
But Wellington didn’t lay down, with some good possession near the Lakers’ line seeing them get the 4 points. A great conversion in the wind giving them the 2-point buffer.
Bay of Plenty fought back. Off the kick off, on the last they managed to out sprint the Wellington defenders to recover their own kick and take back the lead. Another conversion and the Lakers were in front 10-6.
A tight second half saw both teams not able to take their opportunities. Bay of Plenty nearly had two tries on the left wing, one over the sideline just before dotting down. Wellington on the other hand, on what was to be the last play of the game, busted through to sprint 50-odd metres. Unable to connect the pass, the whistle blew and Bay of Plenty were crowned 2025 champions.
With Auckland defeated last year by Canterbury, they were looking to go one better this year. In their way in the semis were Waikato, who they dispatched 18-8. On the other side of the draw Manawatu took out the Northern Swords 20-12 to set up the final clash.
Final score: Auckland Blue 18-0
Manawatu looked to set the tone in the final, immediately busting through after the kick off. Once near the line, the final pass by the Mustangs went along the floor, unfortunately the overlap coming to nothing. Manawatu went close again near the left corner later in the game, only for Auckland to steal the pass, leaving the game scoreless.
After another steal by Auckland, an over-the-top pass set their winger off for a 70m sprint to the line. With no one able to catch her, Auckland were able to grab the lead, which they held onto as they went into half time.
In the second half, Auckland started off strong from the kick off, muscling their way up to score immediately and extend the lead. A messy kick off next and Auckland were able to get good field position. Unfortunately for them, they coughed up the ball as they crossed the line – a lifeline to Manawatu.
Manawatu were then able to make their way up the field, but 10 metres out with numbers on the right, the pass didn’t connect meaning another opportunity lost. Auckland punished the mistake making their way up the field before slicing through the defence to score again.
With one more try to Auckland before the hooter, they were just too good. Auckland grab the title with a 18-0 win.
It was an Auckland versus Auckland showdown in the semis, guaranteeing another Auckland team in the final the same as last year. But it was the White team that came out the victors, 18-6. Meanwhile, Wellington kept Bay of Plenty scoreless 22-0 to emphatically march into the finals.
Final score: Auckland White 12-6
It was end-to-end footy to open the Boys 16s clash, but with a couple of back-to-back penalties against Wellington, Auckland were able to grab some good territory. It wasn’t long before another penalty near the posts saw Auckland able to bust over – but they were held up. Eventually the Auckland half stepped the defence to open the scoring and give Auckland the lead, the only points in the first half.
It was all on in the second half with a nice step from a Wellington player sending him through the line. On the next play a hand off on the right wing saw Wellington go over to level up. And with the conversion going over, the lead was theirs, 6-4.
But Auckland caught Wellington napping off the next kick off. With easy metres down the right edge, they crossed over the line to take the lead back immediately. And with a Wellington knock on from the next kick off, Auckland struck back with a second try in just as many minutes, taking the wind out of Wellington.
With only a converted try in it, Wellington had a last-ditch effort on the left wing, a pop pass putting the winger in space but eventually Wellington was tumbled over the side line. Auckland was able to hold on for the 12-6 win, giving Auckland back-to-back titles.
Both last year’s finalists, Waikato and Wellington were on the hunt to make it to the finals again. However, whilst Waikato fell agonisingly short to Manawatu, 12-10, Wellington beat Bay of Plenty by the same scoreline to keep their hopes alive.
Final score: Manawatu Mustangs 18-0
After a close encounter yesterday between the two teams, with Manawatu coming out on top 18-16, Wellington was looking to take it to the Mustangs. But two early fumbles of the ball gave Manawatu too much field position, and the Mustangs struck first down the left edge. Not long after they had the ball back again, making good metres down the right wing before swinging to the other side for another try. Wellington did have their chance at the end of the first half but couldn’t convert, down 8-0 at the half.
With everything to do in the second for Wellington, a knock on by Manawatu off the kick off gave Wellington good impetus. As thy got closer, a dive over the line resulted in a knock on and it was another chance for Wellington gone begging.
Later, Wellington got close again down the right edge but two more tries by Manawatu, one an end-to-end try by the winger, and the gap was far too big. Wellington will rue their chances – a second year in a row as runner’s up – but Manawatu secure the title with an emphatic 18-0 win.
For all draws and results, visit Sporty.
