The Rotorua Boys’ High School 1st XV have returned to a heroes’ welcome after securing their third Sanix World Youth Rugby Championship title in Fukuoka, Japan. The team delivered a dominant 46-19 performance against Feilding High School in the final to reclaim the global trophy.

For captain Te Ariki Rogers (17) of Ngāti Whakaue, the victory was a culmination of intense preparation and adaptation. “I think leading up to the games was quite hard, adapting to the new style of rugby Japanese played,” Rogers said. “We played three games against the top teams over there and yeah it was real hard but it was also good… taking a step backwards. Having a good look at ourselves in the mirror and thinking where we are as a team, knowing that we could do better, knowing that, you know, refining those little details,” he said.

Former All Black and Rotorua Boys’ High School Rugby Director Hikawera Elliot described the win as a historic milestone, noting the school hadn’t claimed the Sanix title since 2004. “It’s actually the third time but it’s the first time our school has held the National Title and the World Sanix Title,” Elliot said. “I think the achievement that these boys have achieved over the last couple weeks has been monumental and again it just comes back to a testament of all the hard work that they’ve been willing to put in,” he said.

The team is now looking ahead to the domestic season with renewed focus. “It’s exciting really. I think just for the focus now for us as a collective and as a team is the next two pre season games… and then obviously playing our probably one of our biggest rivals Tauranga Boys College over the hill,” Rogers said.

Kua hoki mai a Raukura ki te kāinga me te Taitara o te Ao

Kua piki anō te rongo o Raukura i te ao whutupōro whai muri i tā rātou haerenga ki Hapāni mō te Whakataetae Whutupōro o te Ao o Sanix. Koinei te wā tuatoru kua riro i a rātou tēnei tohu whakahirahira.

Hei tā te Tumuaki Tuarua, tā Tūwharetoa Hapi, he huarahi uaua i takahia e ngā tama kia eke ki tēnei taumata. “He mea nui rawa atu. He uaua te huarahi ki te tuatahi, ki te top 4, Nationals, and ki te eke, ki tērā taumata ka haere koe ki Sanix and i tēnei tau, ngā tīma Hapani, yeah tino pai. Nā reira kua piki te taumata o ngā kēmu ki reira. Tino pai, tino uaua,” tā Hapi kōrero.

I te hokinga mai o te tīma ki te kura, i kitea te hihiri me te wairua pai o te huringa. “Pai te wairua, i te hokinga mai, te mea nui, te kawe mai i tērā taitara ki te Kura. Mōku ake ko te mea nui te hoki mai ki te whānau, te whakanui i te whānau i ngā tama, tērā momo āhuatanga. Engari, he wairua pai,” te kī a Hapi.