26 August 2025
The wait for the 2025 NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament is nearly over, kicking off this Friday 29 August in Auckland and running through to Sunday. We’re set for three thrilling days of rugby league, showcasing the very best of our secondary school talent.
In the Senior Boys Premiership, the stage is set for another action-packed year. The recent emergence of St. Thomas of Canterbury College as a school rugby league powerhouse, will see them chase a three-peat after back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
Looking to end their streak are St. Paul’s College, the reigning Auckland champions and one of Aotearoa’s rugby league-strong schools. They return to the national stage in strong form, after dominating the Auckland College final with a 46-0 win over De La Salle College. St. Paul’s will be aiming to claim their first national title since 2012.
Also in the mix are Rotorua Boys’ High School, who have maintained a strong presence in the Premiership in recent years, finishing fourth in 2024. The Premiership will also see new entrants promoted from the Championship grade, adding fresh intensity to the top tier of schoolboy rugby league.
Over in the Girls Championship, the competition has stepped up a notch with 14 schools competing this year, the highest number in the grade’s history.
Since its introduction in 2022, the Girls Championship title has been won by Manurewa High School, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, and Southern Cross Campus. The 2024 champions, Southern Cross Campus, were beaten in this year’s Auckland College final by their familiar rivals, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.
Auckland Girls’ have featured in every NZSST Grand Final to date, last claiming the title in 2023, and will be one of the key teams to watch as they aim to lift the trophy once again.
The strong Southern Cross side will look to redeem their loss of the Auckland title, while fellow South Aucklanders McAuley High School and Wellington’s St. Mary’s College are also anticipated to field strong sides.
In the Boys’ Championship, 2024 grand finalists Westlake Boys High School and James Cook High School return to the fold in what is the tournament’s largest grade, featuring 24 teams battling it out over three days. Westlake will look to defend their title as several new schools join the action this year, bringing fresh talent and energy to the grade, including Gisborne Boys’ High School and Orewa College.
The U15 Boys Carnival has been dominated by St. Paul’s College since 2023, who will endeavour to complete a three-peat of their own. The Carnival will also welcome a number of new teams and talent ready to make their mark, including TIPENE (St Stephen’s), New Plymouth Boys’ High School, and Trident High School.
With record numbers, fierce rivalries, and rising talent across every grade, the 2025 National Secondary Schools Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions yet and a massive celebration of rugby league in Aotearoa.
Keep an eye out for full tournament info and the official draw coming later this week.
