In 2013 Land Rover First XV rugby televised the annual Mason Cup fixture between Whangarei Boys’ High School and Kamo High School.
It proved to be a mighty tussle won by Whangarei. Fullback Alex Barnsley scored a spectacular solo try – as good as any seen on the show. Barnsley is now in the Otago rep system.
On Saturday Whangarei are hoping to produce more spectacular moments when they tackle St. Kentigern College in the Blues Regional final.
The prospects of a Whangarei victory may appear bleak, but captain Caleb Aekins is hopeful.
“We have a lot of heart. We will give it everything. We have nothing to lose,” he says.
Whangarei haven’t lost often in recent times. In 2014 they won the weekend colts competition undefeated. In 2015 they won the 1A midweek secondary schools’ competition. In seven games Whangarei scored 241 points. They defeated Kerikeri High School 27-26 in the final.
Kerikeri thrashed Kaitaia College 48-12 on national television earlier this year. Blues Under-18 fullback Levi Clark scored a hat-trick and proved to be a handful for Whangarei.
“He was really dangerous”, Aekins says.
“He is fast and illusive. We have lots of good players up here.”
Aekins is a midfield back. He has been a Northland age group and senior sevens rep. Additionally he is a keen League player, winning a senior title with Hikurangi, and singing a contract with the NRL’s Penrith Panthers.
Who are the other players to watch for in the Whangarei Boys’ team?
“Our 10 Jade Kupa is good. He understands the game and takes the ball to the line a lot. Our No.8 Judah Andrews is big and strong,” Aekins says.
Late All Black Norm Berryman was big and strong. The old boy was a popular Northland rugby identity. He tragically passed away this year. Aekins says Norm’s death had a big impact on the community.
“I knew all about Norm because my parents were close friends of his. Some of the school did a haka at his funereal. He was a legend.”
Caleb’s father Luke is a mentor for troubled young Maori. His mum Kimberley is a receptionist.
Aekins says his parents are legends too and he hopes his team will become legends on Saturday by beating a side that has won 105 of their last 112 games, including the 2012 National top four championship.