College Sport: World champs back into the fray

St Kentigern's TJ Faiane against AGS in last year's final. Both schools face away trips in the first round of the new-look 1A championship. Photo / Greg Bowker

Fresh from Sanix Cup win in Japan, St Kentigern begin defence of 1st XV title at Otahuhu College on Saturday.

Newly crowned world champions St Kentigern will be on the road again when the new 1st XV season kicks off on Saturday.

Just back from their all-conquering Sanix Cup triumph in Japan, the Auckland and New Zealand champions begin their defence of their 1A title at Otahuhu College in the first round of the new-look tournament.

To be sponsored by Unitec - full details of the new arrangement to be released at a function at Eden Park this afternoon - the always keenly contested grade will have five games televised live by Sky's Rugby Channel. These will include the first round clash between 2012 world champions Kelston BHS and De La Salle who played in the 2009 event in Japan.

Unitec see the sponsorship as a natural progression after being involved with the Auckland Rugby Union (in the ITM Cup) for the past two or three seasons. They are also a Blues sponsor and have been proactive in promoting study for semi and fully professional athletes.

Papatoetoe High, promoted to the 1A championship after their 13-10 win over Tamaki College in last week's promotion relegation battle, face a tough first-up assignment with a trip to play MAGS while Tangaroa, who retained their 1A status with a 15-7 win over last season's 1B winners Dilworth, are away to Sacred Heart.

AGS, beaten by St Kentigern in last season's final, are away to Onehunga High who won last season's national co-ed final.

Thirty matches will be live on the Rugby Channel this season, including next week's North Harbour clash between Rosmini and Massey High.

In other results, Tamaki College were relegated to 1B while Sir Edmund Hillary College beat Howick College 19-18 and Pakuranga College beat Waitakere College 22-6 to gain promotion to 1B, with Howick and Waitakere relegated to 1C.