A coach of Macleans College’s victorious First XV rugby team credits the players’ determination to overcome injury obstacles and high-pressure moments during the season to claim a much-deserved title.
In a thrilling final, Macleans College First XV defeated Southern Cross Campus 31-28 to win the Auckland secondary schools rugby 1B title for the first time since 2011, on August 16 at Eden Park.
Co-coach and deputy principal, Bevan Packer, says the First XV was consistent throughout the season, winning 11 of its first 13 games including the first six in the first round “before a string of untimely injuries really tested the depth of the squad”.
“The standout player in the first half of the season was inspirational captain Jacob Ely, who led the team from the front as opposition teams struggled to contain his power and speed from No. 8.
“This form saw Ely and prop Caylis Hempleman selected for the Blues under-18 squad where both showed they have big futures in the game as they more than held their own against the best players from across the Blues region.”
Packer says injuries “decimated” the Macleans’ First XV towards the end of term two, “and at times the side struggled to find 15 fit players to take the field”.
“A loss in the final game of the first round and a narrow defeat in the first game of the championship round meant that every game from there on was a must win.
“This was made even harder with the loss of Ely to a season-ending injury and a number of other injuries to senior players.”
Packer says halfback and goalkicker Jackson Steele took over the captaincy as the team continued to record victories, “showing great resolve in grinding out wins by the narrowest margins to qualify for the semi-final in third position”.
“This earned the team an away semi-final against Tangaroa College where discipline and hard work saw a two-point win and a place in the final.”
Packer says the final against Southern Cross Campus was a hard-fought contest.
“Both sides had their chances to win, but ultimately it was Macleans’ discipline and composure under pressure that proved the difference.
“The side had shown an ability to win tight games in the build-up to the final with narrow victories in the championship round over Southern Cross 19-17, Otahuhu College 20-19, Howick College 28-27, and a semi-final win over Tangaroa College 14-12.”
In front of a large and vocal crowd at Eden Park and without their “inspirational captain” Ely,
Packer says Macleans absorbed early pressure before scoring the first points “through a well taken try to prop Caelan White before Katiloka Teaupa extended the lead to 10 points with a set move lineout try”.
Southern Cross responded, testing Macleans’ defence with their powerful runners and off-loading play.
“However, accurate kicking, smart decision-making, and relentless tackling ensured Macleans stayed in the game until the final whistle,” Packer says.
“Centre Asher Langley scored twice, but each time Southern Cross countered with tries to take the lead with eight minutes left.
“With the game hanging in the balance and fulltime looming, Macleans again used astute tactical kicking to gain field position, and the well drilled forwards went to work close to the Southern Cross goal-line with White finally burrowing over for the game-winning try.”
Steele added the conversion with time up on the clock.
Packer says the Macleans College First XV now looks forward to a three-match tour of Japan leaving in mid-September.
1B final: Macleans 31 (Asher Langley 2, Caelan White 2, Katiloka Teaupa tries; Jackson Steele 3 conversions) Southern Cross Campus 28.
Macleans College 2025 First XV squad: Caelan White, Eli Davidson, Caylis Hempleman, Katiloka Teaupa, Blake Pritchard, Rikus Botha, Jamie Fisk, Lisiate Taulepa, Jacob Ely, Jackson Steele (captain), Will Bolton, Arno Vosloo, Trent Martin, Asher Langley, Cayden Pitman, Flynn Healy, Diego Manu, Luke Fomison, Tim De Bruin, Connor Williams, Jake Evans, Tighe Healy, Tyler Marsh, Remi Meyer. Coaches: Dean Sibson, Bevan Packer, Dave Murphy. Manager: Jim Lonergan.
Representative players: Blues U18: Ely, Hempleman. Auckland Divisional U18: Ely, Hempleman, Langley, Steele, White.
