Rippa Rugby: Whau Valley School, Hora Hora School rewarded for big season

Whau Valley School can boast they have champions in their midst. Here, they celebrate winning the 2016 Northland Year 3-4 Rippa Championship. Photo/John Stone

The Northland Rugby Union has recognised Whau Valley School and Hora Hora School for their big rippa rugby seasons.

The respective schools were the finalists in Northland's Year 3 and 4 rippa rugby school competition.

Both sides won 11 games on the way to competing in the final at Toll Stadium, one of the curtain-raisers for the Northland vs Canterbury match.

Whau Valley won that contest and were crowned champions.

Primary schools rugby development officer Paul Hope said it was the mindset of the two sides that set them apart.

"I loved their attitude. They had talented players but it was the teamwork and never-say-die attitude that set them apart," he said.

"There was also a big effort from the coaches and teachers. There has been a lot of training over this year and the last one."

The competition, involving 50 schools across Northland, was tightly contested.

Whau Valley took out the Whangarei and Kerikeri competitions and took that good form through to the final.

Hope said the final was a great contest.

"They [Whau Valley and Hora Hora] went through the Whangarei and Kerikeri competitions and then Whau Valley went on to win at Toll Stadium," he said.

"The tries the teams scored during the final were cheered more than some of the Northland efforts."

Hora Hora Primary School were the runners-up in the 2016 Northland Year 3-4 Rippa Championship. Photo/John Stone

Hope was joined by Northland players Jordan Olsen and Sean Sweetman, along with former All Black and current club liason officer for the NRU Bruce Robertson.

Steve Lockhart coached the Whau Valley side with teacher Steve Jenkins.

The winning squad was: Memphis Eefting, Manea Harrison, Izayah Houghton-Peita, Justin John, Olive Lehmkuhl, Keenan Lockhart, Taya Monk, Richie Peapell, Tre Ringrose, Isis Stephens and Kalae Waretini-Puru.