30 August 2025
Day 2 of the 2024 NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament raised the stakes, as teams battled to secure their spots in the semi-finals. By the end of the day, the finalists across all four grades were confirmed.
Boys Premiership
The opening round of the Boys Premiership for Day 2 delivered defining results that determined the four semi-finalists.
In the combined Section A & B, Manurewa High overpowered Papatoetoe High 30-5 to secure top of the section and a place in the semis. Mt Albert followed with a 26-0 win over Alfriston, finishing second and also advancing. Despite beating Southern Cross, back-to-back champions St Thomas were eliminated due to their Day 1 loss to Manurewa, finishing third.
In Section C, St Paul’s extended their unbeaten run with a win over Rotorua Boys’, locking in first place. Kelston Boys’ then booked a semi-final spot after a dominant 40-4 performance against Tangaroa College.
Manurewa drew first blood against Kelston in the first semi-final, but the game remained close with Kelston scoring two of their own, to lead 12-6 at halftime. Manurewa hit back three minutes into the second half to equalise, but Kelston had the final say, scoring again to seal a 16-12 win and their place in the grand final.
St Paul’s proved too strong for Mt Albert in the second semi-final, controlling the game for a 24-4 victory and spot in the grand final.
Girls Championship
Over in the Girls Championship, Southern Cross had already clinched the Section A semi-final spot on Day 1, with two from two wins in the smallest section of three teams.
Auckland Girls’ three consecutive wins saw them secure first place of the combined Section B & C, followed closely by Manurewa High in second place. This put both Auckland sides through to the semis.
Section D was comfortably won by Rotorua Girls’, after their dominant 18-0 win over new entrants Sacred Heart in the first round of the day.
In the Southern Cross vs Rotorua Girls’ semi-final, Rotorua came out of the gates strong, scoring two unanswered tries in the first half. Southern Cross fought back in the second half to score two of their own, but a missed conversion saw Rotorua take the win 10-8, securing their first-ever grand final spot.
Auckland Girls whitewashed Manurewa in the other semi-final which ended 42-0. Lala Vaea, Betsy Fifita, and Tylah Fa’alili all scored a double each, to help put their team through to their fourth consecutive grand final.
Boys Championship
Following Day 1 grading, the top 8 teams entered the Shield quarter-finals, the next 8 into the Bowl, and the final 8 into the Plate.
After finishing Day 1 ranked first, Dilworth continued their winning streak and cruised into the Shield final after shutting out 2024 champions Westlake Boys’, then New Plymouth Boys’ 24-0. They’ll face Tauranga Boys’, who defeated Tamaki and James Cook High 20-8, setting up a grand final between two schools chasing their first title.
Westlake Boys’ beat Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae and will face newcomers Avondale for 5th/6th place, after Avondale’s win over Tamaki. Te Kura will meet Tamaki in the 7th/8th playoff.
Hamilton Boy’s and Christchurch’s St Bede’s will meet in the Bowl Final for 8th/9th, and Francis Douglas Memorial and Otahuhu in the Plate Final for 17th/18th.
U15 Boys Carnival
Section A frontrunners Kelston Boys’ were the first to secure a semi-final spot after dominating Hauraki Plains 42-0. This knocked 2023 and 2024 champions St Paul’s out of title contention, after Kelston defeated them on Day, leaving them in second place.
In the joint Section B & C, Southern Cross led the way with three wins from three securing their semis spot. Following closely behind finishing second in the section was Manurewa High, who recorded two wins and a draw against Western Heights High.
Section D was comfortably taken out by tournament newcomers Tipene who finished section-play undefeated. They were unable to extend their winning streak into their semi-final, being defeated 36-4 by Kelston. Joshua Poutu and Filimone Tuinauvai finished with a double each.
Manurewa will join Kelston in the grand final after beating Southern Cross 20-10, with Manurewa’s Jesiah Peteli scoring 12 of their points.
For all draw and results updates visit sporty.co.nz
On Day 2 Bruce Pulman Park Field 1 and 4 will continued to be live-streamed here nzrl.co.nz/watch-nzsst25
