Isaac Te Aute stole the headlines at the National Top Four. In the final for Rotorua Boys’ High School he scored two tries and was named man of the match.
He wasn’t the only fine fullback on display. Josh Buchan from Otago Boys’ High School was arguably the best preformed player at the tourney.
In the semi-final, Buchan was an elusive customer for the Scots College defence.
In the third place game he scored 22 points against St. Kentigern College. Nobody has scored as many points against St. Kent’s for at least five years.
Buchan left Waitaki Boys’ High School in Year 10. Otago Boys’ coach Ryan Martin was well aware of his attributes.
“Josh has been in First XV for three years. He is able to cover every position in the backline from 10 to 15. He has worked hard to develop a strong kicking game which adds to his strong running game. He can beat multiple defenders with his potent step,” Martin says.
Against St. Kent’s he scored a 60-meter try when he dodged eight defenders. He is also a sound goal-kicker. He scored 199 points for Otago Boys, including 21 tries.
“It’s been a good season,” the understated Buchan says.
“My favourite game was when we beat Christchurch Boys’ High School. They are our big, traditional rivals.”
Buchan scored two tries in the Christchurch match.
Otago narrowly lost both matches at the National Top Four. What would Bunchan have done differently to change those results?
“I think accuracy let us down at times. We talk a lot about being accurate and we made mistakes at key times which you can’t do against top sides.”
Buchan didn’t suffer from inaccuracy. The Highlanders under-18 rep received a letter prior to the National Top Four saying he was a contender for the New Zealand Schools,’ but he never actually believed he would make the side.
“I got a text to say I was in. I was real surprised,” Buchan admits.
On Saturday in Palmerston North, Buchan was in the thick of the action for the New Zealand Schools in their feisty encounter with the New Zealand Barbarians.
Despite copping some hefty punishment from the defence, Buchan proved difficult to put down. Early in the second-half, when his side was down to 14 players, he poached an intercept and scored a vital try in the two-point win.
The New Zealand Schools head to Australia for three games in the Term Two holidays. Buchan is sure to feature prominently.