More AIMS schools in a league of their own

Tauranga Intermediate's Lockie Devereux takes the ball up against Southern Cross College. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rugby league is making its second appearance at an AIMS Games this week and has attracted a far stronger group of league schools than last year.

The leading contenders to contest this afternoon's finals are Southern Cross College (Mangere), Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga (Huntly), Orewa College, Whangarei Intermediate, Kaitaia Intermediate and Rotorua Intermediate.

Papamoa College and Tauranga Intermediate have been flying the Western Bay flag this week but are predominantly rugby players taking on their more experienced opponents who are steeped in league.

Tauranga Intermediate coach Jack Te Moana says it is a challenge trying to coach rugby players to play league.

"It is different to what they are used to so when they are playing at a league tournament like this, the game is really unfamiliar to them," Te Moana said.

"You are playing against schools that are league schools which makes a big difference. In Tauranga the league here is only played on Sundays and the problem with that is those who play league play rugby on the Saturday. Trying to fit in their league training with their rugby training is difficult so they are not getting the quality of coaching during the week because they have to go to rugby training.

"This AIMS tournament definitely promotes league in Tauranga and with the amount of teams we have at the tournament this year league is growing. In terms of our own schools in Tauranga, league is still a minor sport but there is hope for the future here. There are people in Tauranga doing great things for this age group in terms of Coastline reps and we have representatives from Coastline going to the nationals in a few weeks."

Tournament director and Sport BOP's Len Reid is enthusiastic about the number and quality of teams.

"We were really happy with how it went last year and we didn't think it could get much better but the standard is higher and the weather is definitely better this year," Reid said

"Out of the 14 teams we have at least six who are looking likely to play off for first and second this afternoon, so it is really, really good. It is good to bring that Auckland flavour in, with Southern Cross, Orewa and Pukekohe here. We have a good spread of teams from Northland with a team all the way from Kaitaia which is good to see.

"Here we are not doing too badly at intermediate level and at secondary school we have made some breakthroughs recently. Two weeks ago Rotorua Boys' played at the nationals for the first time and went unbeaten through the development section.

"That is a traditional rugby school which is good to see. It can't be far away now from setting up a yearly challenge Rotorua Boys' versus Tauranga Boys'. I'd love to see it and I say it would be quite an attraction."