The Rotorua Girls' High School first XV are proving to be an unstoppable force this year. Last weekend, they beat Te Wharekura o Mauao 44-20 in the Baywide Girls' First XV Championship final to round out an unbeaten season and claim the title for the second consecutive year. That win was their ticket to a Chiefs region semifinal against New Plymouth Girls' High School on Saturday, the first step on what they hoped would be the pathway to a spot at the New Zealand First XV Top Four Girls' tournament later this year. Sports reporter David Beck was there.Next weekend, Rotorua Girls' High School will put it all on the line as they play Hamilton Girls' High School in the Chiefs region final for a spot at Top Four nationals.
In the semifinal on Saturday, they were dominant as they cruised to a 27-7 win over New Plymouth Girls' High School in Rotorua. Hamilton Girls' beat Manurewa High School 48-0 in the other semifinal.
![Rotorua Girls' High School first XV captain Kataraina Rauwhero-Stainton was a standout against New Plymouth Girls' High School on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/6FCZAHYZG35B3N5LQXKWZMQCRY.jpg?auth=0f239faeea09f29976104dad304f67cbd70de9c46a16257c518c26840b97670a&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The win was particularly meaningful for Rotorua Girls' captain Kataraina Rauwhero-Stainton, who is in her last year at the school. Being knockout rugby now, the next time her side loses will spell the end of her high school rugby career.
"It's a pretty cool feeling to know my season isn't over yet, even thought it is coming to an end which is pretty sad. It's been an absolute privilege to play for this school and play rugby with my best mates - we're more sisters than we are friends.