Schools rugby: Kelston Boys’ High School team claim world title, keep trophy in NZ

Kelston Boys' High contested the final of the World Schools Rugby Festival in Abu Dhabi.

Kelston Boys’ High will return the World Schools Rugby Festival title to New Zealand for a third successive year after imposing a rare defeat on South African champions Paul Roos Gymnasium in a quality 2024 final in Abu Dhabi early on Sunday morning.

Powered by a highly talented loose forward contingent of Aio Keith, Joseph Paiali’i and Ulutoa Ai’i, a strong lineout platform, and good leadership from first-five and captain Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega, Kelston triumphed 20-12 after being behind early in an even back-and-forth contest.

It capped a memorable 2024 for West Auckland’s “Kelliblock”, after also winning their 14th Auckland First XV 1A championship in August, and then the Blues region title.

Previously Hamilton Boys’ High claimed the World Schools Rugby title in 2022 and Westlake Boys’ High in 2023. Meanwhile, in the playoff for third, Westlake beat England’s Millfield School 26-12.

In the grand final Paul Roos opened the scoring in the seventh minute from an intercept in their own 22, to have Kelston behind for the first time in the tournament.

But Kelston No 8 Keith, one of the stars of the tournament, showed some great footballing skills to hack the ball forward from a wayward pass, collect, and score out wide.

Minutes later an expansive Kelston backline move led to centre Koupa Nomotu scoring after a slick offload from Ulutoa Ai’i for a 10-5 lead, though Tyson Parsons was again unable to convert in a difficult breeze.

Paul Roos engineered a converted pick-and-go try under the posts to seize the initiative, but a Parsons’ penalty from right in front gave Kelston a 13-12 half-time lead.

With 15 minutes remaining in the match openside flanker Paiali’i extended that to an eight-point lead with a darting solo dab following inspired forward play, with Parsons converting.

Multi-talented vice-captain Paula Lu’au had a versatile presence for Kelston, both as a rock in midfield but also popping up in the lineout, while Year 10 right wing Satali Fretton was a threat all week and Parsons added a calm presence at fullback.

Papakura High School were beaten 62-0 by the Paul Roos B team in the Trophy division, but honoured Kelston’s main title win by performing a haka for them.