Rugby: Hastings Boys end top-four knockout drought

Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV will this week play in the national secondary schools top four knockout competition for the first time since 2004.

The Kianu Kereru-Symes-captained Super 8 champions beat Wellington College 40-14 in their Hurricanes final played in Palmerston North on Saturday. This was Hastings 17th consecutive win this season.

Hastings will play Hamilton Boys' High School in their national semifinal on Friday in Palmerston North. The other semifinal will be between Mount Albert Grammar and Southland Boys' High School and the final and playoff for third will also be played at the Rugby Institute on Sunday.

Against Wellington, Hastings led 26-0 at halftime after playing with a strong wind. First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie again impressed with his directional play.

Fullback Danny Toala did well to convert five of Hastings six tries. His positional play was also spot on.

Busy No8 Devan Flanders continued his outstanding season with tremendous mobility and physical presence at the breakdown. Openside flanker Xavier Hill was again a workaholic on defence.

Dennon Robinson scored two tries for Hastings. Fellow winger Trent Hape, second five-eighth Liam Udy-Johns, McClutchie and halfback Folau Fakatava scored the others.