Howick College’s 1st XV Girls’ rugby team have demonstrated their strength and determination by claiming a place in The New Zealand Barbarians’ National Girls’ 1st XV Championship.
They earned their spot in this year’s prestigious competition, also known as the ‘Top Four’, with an intense 36-36 draw against Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.
The result earned Howick College co-champion status, marking back-to-back titles in only their second year competing at that level.
Coach Waisake Sotutu praises his team’s effort: “We were lucky to make and win last year’s 15s final, but to do it twice in two years is truly amazing.
“We asked our girls to give everything on the field, and they certainly did.”
He also highlights Levonah Motuliki and Asha Taumoepeau-Williams, who he says “deserve special mention, as they’d already played 80 minutes for the Auckland NPC Storm Women against Waikato the Saturday before”.
The match was fiercely contested, with both teams trading points and neither giving an inch.
“It was a good tough game that identified a few chinks in our armour we can work on,” Sotutu says.
He also acknowledges their opposition: “Auckland Girls’ Grammar, under coach Lei Tuala, had an outstanding season and brought every ounce of effort to the final.
“We congratulate them on a strong campaign and a hard-fought match. They are deserving co-champions.”
Thanks to a favourable countback from an earlier win against Auckland Girls’ Grammar, Howick goes through to represent the Blues region in the Top 4 National Tournament, competing for the Hine Pounamu Trophy.
Having finished a strong second place last year, Howick College heads to Palmerston North fired up and determined to go one better this season.
