Two Northland schools off to nationals

Northland will be represented by two schools at the upcoming NZRL National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament in Auckland.

Whangarei Boys' High School and Kamo High School have entered teams as the popularity of the competition increases.

Last year, 16 teams took part and, this year, that number has swelled to 24, forcing organisers to run two divisions at the tournament which runs from September 3-7 at Bruce Pulman Park in Papakura.

The Premiership Schools division has 16 teams and is headed by last year's winners Otahuhu College and the ever-powerful St Paul's College.

Among those out to challenge for the title are Whangarei Boys' High School, Kelston Boys' High School, Mt Albert Grammar and Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, as well as Wellington's Taita College and Christchurch's Aranui High School.

The Developing Schools section has eight teams including Kamo High School, Auckland Grammar, Central Southland College - who'll travel the greatest distance of any team to the tournament - and the host school Papakura High School.

Teams in both divisions are split into pools of four with teams playing each other over the first three days, before semifinals on Thursday. Finals day on Friday features the Developing Schools and Premiership finals.

Schools entered for the tournament are:

Premiership Schools (16 teams)

Pool A: Aorere College, Onehunga High, Otahuhu College, Taita College.

Pool B: James Cook High, Manurewa High, St Paul's College, Whangarei Boys' High.

Pool C: Aranui High, Mt Albert Grammar, Mt Roskill Grammar, Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

Pool D: Kelston Boys' High, Southern Cross Campus, Tangaroa College, Tokoroa High.

Developing Schools (8 teams)

Pool A: Kamo High, Papakura High, Papatoetoe High, St John's College.

Pool B: Auckland Grammar, Central Southland College, Fraser High, Tamaki College.