Christchurch Boys’ High taste victory again in school grudge match with Christ's College

Tuesday, 3 June 2025

Christ's College host Christchurch Boys' High School 1st XV at home for the first time in five years.

Christchurch Boys’ High School 48 (Cam Jones 2, Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi, Hanroux Wessels, Jonty Leary, Frano Chaplin, Mac Chaplin tries; Jones pen, 3 con, Wessels 2 con) Christ’s College 38 (Gus Kooyman, Gavin Holder, Lachie Beirne, Austin Beer, Jan-Adriaan Van Wyk, Harrison Laing tries; Holder 4con) HT: 24-12.

Christchurch Boys’ High rugby fans clapped and fist-pumped at full-time, but never felt comfortable all day.

For the fourth straight year, Boys’ High tasted victory in the traditional inter-school match on Tuesday at the Upper sports field, edging Christ’s College 48-38 in a 13-try thriller.

This was a cracking game of schoolboy rugby, only decided in the closing minutes when Boys’ High co-captain Mac Chaplin went over to cement the win.

These two sides have been duelling since 1892, with this latest match the 140th meeting between the great rivals.

Christchurch Boys’ High wing Cam Jones dots down for one of his two tries against Christ’s College.

On a clear, still winter afternoon Christ’s College, who were heavy underdogs, pushed Boys’ High all the way in a pulsating contest.

Boys’ High supporters roared loudly at the full-time whistle but walked away from the Christ’s College school grounds knowing it could have gone either way.

Rugby was firmly the winner.

Students from both schools were ring-fenced into separate sections by crowd control barriers but were well-behaved as they attempted to keep up with the avalanche of tries.

Christchurch Boys’ High School lock Vili Finau leads the haka before the inter-school against Christ’s College on Tuesday.

There were the typical jeers and chants from either side as Christ’s College hit back every time Boys’ High scored at the other end.

Fans had their bags searched as the arrived at Christ’s College, but unlike in some years there was no breath-testing.

Prior to kick-off, a Christ’s College chap on the megaphone bellowed, “I believe that we will win” as his peers joined in vociferously.

Boys’ High No 8 Sione Manu Telefoni on the charge against Christ’s College.

Prop Gus Kooyman, who scored their first try, was a favourite with the College fans chanting “Eat ’em up, Gus” whenever a scrum packed down.

Boys’ High looked in control at half-time, ahead 24-12, before stretching their lead to 27-12 early in the second half.

But College are a gritty side and, spurred on by a sea of black-and-white in the crowd, hit back with tries each time it appeared Boys’ High would pull away.

Boys’ High oppenside flanker Jonty Leary slips out of a Christ’s College tackle at Upper on Tuesday.

The pick of the bunch was a brilliant individual effort in the first half from fullback Gavin Holder, who slipped through several would-be tacklers to score.

When hooker Jan-Adriaan Van Wyk crashed over for College with 13 minutes to go and Holder converted from the sideline, Boys’ High were clinging to a 34-33 lead.

Christ’s College students react to a try being scored by Christchurch Boys High in Tuesday’s interschool.

Again, the “I believe that we will win” tune rang out loudly as College sniffed their first inter-school triumph since 2021.

The sides traded tries before Boys’ High had the final say, with Chaplin pushing them beyond a converted try when he scored in the closing minutes.

“It was just managing the game and playing the game between the lines and forgetting about enjoying what’s happening over there now [the full-time celebrations],” Boys’ High head coach Peter Chaplin said.

“Just focusing on what’s happening on the pitch and not getting carried away with the occasion.”

Christ’s College co-coach Sam Broomhall saluted his players, who brought plenty to the occasion and gave Boys’ High a mighty scare.

“Boys’ High, they were very good in certain areas of the game around their ruck and ball carrying. Their ruck speed was very good and put us under a lot of pressure.

“They got a lot of points just getting over that gain line and we weren’t really able to get our attack or slow their ball down. They just proved too strong in that area.”