Wesley College 26 (Alfred Hunkin, Seluini Molia, Harry Luteru, Luteru Laulala tries, Laulala 3 conversions) Rotorua Boys’ High School 20 (Aritaku Robens, Jordon Shelford, Mason Walker tries, Ryubyn Vaipo 1 conversion, 1 penalty) HT: 19-8, Wesley
Nic Ledger – Wesley Coach: 2000-2003: “This team was two years in the making. In 2000 we had lost to Westlake Boys to end our season that was pretty much unheard of, Luke Mcalister won the game for Westlake that day. In 2001 we came back older, wiser and more determined than ever to carry [...]
Jonah Lomu: “He was much more than a coach. He was my first father figure since I had left Tonga…he more than anyone was able to get inside my head.” When it comes to heavyweights in New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby few are bigger than Chris Grinter. The only man to win the Moascar Cup [...]
Wesley College has defied numbers, expectations and the form book to win through to a 7th National Top Four final, inflecting a first defeat upon St Bede’s College in 2011.
Winning the New Zealand Top 4 championship was the goal of the 1997 Wesley 1st XV. The pre season showed little evidence they would be capable of achieving such a feat, winning a modest five of ten games. However the team improved and by the time the season proper started and the Top 4 was [...]
By 1993 Jonah Lomu was Head Prefect and captain of the Wesley 1st XV. Despite losing the Counties Championship final to Pukekohe High School, when Lomu was absent, the side was big, fast, talented and a contender for National glory!
Chris Bean: First XV 1985-1988: “Chris Grinter is the best coach I ever came across. His understanding of the game and ability to transfer that to the players was outstanding. The success of Wesley rugby is due to those years he spent at the college. He laid the foundation for the success that followed with [...]
The Wesley College Old Boys Association named a greatest Wesley XV. What a team it is!
Wesley College Magazine: “The 1st XV began the year with a new coaching team, six returning players and a huge reputation to maintain from previous years. 2004 was to be a development year to build a team for the future. The end result saw a team that grew tremendously and achieved well beyond early expectations.” [...]