YES BOY!

What an epic weekend our Junior Rugby team had last weekend! Ōtautahi Christchurch played super host as all Super Rugby teams played Round 13 at the brand new One NZ Stadium. The Super Round marked the official opening of the stadium, and across the long weekend, 25,000+ fans came together to celebrate at Te Kaha. The atmosphere around the city was electric, and our students and supporters were treated to some outstanding rugby from the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika on Sunday afternoon.

The weekend was crammed with fixtures, events and fun experiences designed to bring the team together for what will be a successful season. On Anzac Day, the team joined the community of Oxford to commemorate soldiers from the North Canterbury community who served and never came home. The service was well attended, and many of the locals mentioned how impressed they were to see the boys paying their respect to the kaupapa e ngā mate maumahara.

St Thomas of Canterbury College hosted the Game of Three Halves. Both St Thomas’ and St Bede’s College are established rugby schools, and our boys got just what was needed—tough and skilful opposition. Coaches Chris Burke and Tony McEntyre were chuffed with how the boys stayed in the fight against much bigger opposition. First-time rugby players Rihan Richard, Louis Ung and Ryo Uejima carried the ball well, and flanker Charlie Sutherland was at his best, winning crucial turnovers. Halfbacks Isaac Jago and Mason Holtz provided quick ball to the Trinity backs, with Tommy McEntyre, Brax Murdoch, Joe Burke, Vadim Booth, Fergus Barnett and Louis Thompson combining well. Jake Lucas, Kelly Casey, Jack Burke, Mason Lynch, Jude Booth, Blake Joubert and Max Morgan-Eathorne all put in a big shift in the forwards. The team was well supported from the sidelines by parents and principal, Mrs Kate Nicholson.

Following the footy, Parakiore Aquatic and Recreation Centre was the next destination. Parakiore is named after a Kāi Tahu ancestor and is one of Christchurch’s new “anchor projects” and features swimming pools, basketball arenas, gymnasiums and five hydroslides, which the boys had a blast on. The favourite slide was the trapdoor, where “you drop for about two seconds” after having the floor disappear from underneath your feet!

Returning to Ashley Gorge after the pool, the team enjoyed some downtime playing table tennis and, of course, spotlight.

The programme for Sunday started with Mass at St Mary and St Francis de Sales Church in Rangiora. Dressed in school uniform, many of the parishioners commented on how respectful and polite the boys were. Town was buzzing, and so were the team as we approached Te Kaha One NZ Stadium. Mr Michael Jago had secured tickets to the Highlanders vs Moana Pasifika fixture, and the team was treated to a quality game of rugby between two teams that love to throw the ball around. The $683m stadium is another anchor project and an amazing asset to the city that will host sporting and music events.

He mihi nui (a huge thank you) to teachers Mr Sutherland and Mr Harris; coaches Chris Burke and Tony McEntyre; managers Jo and Nathan Murdoch; logistics coordinators Sonia and Michael Jago; and whānau who supported the team over the weekend. In the photo gallery, there is an Instagram QR code to follow that will keep you up to date over the season with the Junior and Senior teams.

2026 is going to be a massive year for Trinity Catholic College Rugby and the team plays their first competition game next Saturday vs JMC Blue at John McGlashan College, 11.15am kick-off. Supporters welcome!