"Whangārei have always been keen to join Super 8 and it's a chance to firm up a relationship with another boys' high school from throughout the North Island," Grinter said.
Grinter said welcoming Whangārei back to Rotorua was a positive experience for both schools.
On Wednesday, the Whangārei team, along with head coach Harry Darkins and their support crew, were welcomed with a pōhiri before being billeted out to the school's first XV families.
At the game, Rotorua Boys' students packed the school's new terraces to watch the home-side win 43-0.
The reunion game doubled as a challenge for the oldest and most prestigious nationwide trophy in first XV rugby - the Moascar Cup.
As the cup holders, Rotorua Boys' have to schedule at least seven challenges for the year and have played - and won - three so far.
Since records began in 1920, Whangārei Boys' claimed the Moascar Cup once, in 1953. Rotorua have held it once before, in 2003.
"When Whangārei were offered the Moascar Cup challenge they were keen to take that opportunity," Grinter said.
"For us, it's one of very few mid-week games. It was just a good time for the school to come together and help launch the winter sports season."
Darkins said it was a "huge privilege" to play Rotorua after such a long hiatus and looked forward to a continuous relationship with the school.
"It's an honour for us to be able to start this tradition again and one we hope can continue for many years to come," Darkins said.
It was a long drive and a quick stay for the travelling school but Darkins, who remembered playing Rotorua when he was a student at Whangārei, said it was a positive one.
"They definitely enjoyed themselves.
"It's awesome to test ourselves against a Super 8 team. We play in the North Harbour comp so it was good to see what the level of the Super 8 would be and where we need to be as a school and as a first XV to match those Super 8 teams."
