Rugby: OBHS No 7 big jersey to fill

Otago Boys' High School loose forward Slade McDowall checks out the conditions at a muddy...
Otago Boys' High School loose forward Slade McDowall checks out the conditions at a muddy Littlebourne before tomorrow's South Island final. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Every young lad who has pulled on the No 7 jersey for Otago Boys' High School in the past 14 years has been acutely aware of the bloke who came before him.

Slade McDowall is no exception. Not everyone can be like Richie McCaw, but McDowall certainly draws inspiration from McCaw's journey from OBHS loosie to arguably our greatest All Black.

''It is pretty special filling that jersey,'' the 17 year old said, adding he tries to model his game on McCaw's.

McDowall is more suited to openside but played No 8 in the 32-20 win over Southland Boys' High School last weekend and will probably anchor the scrum against St Bede's College in the South Island final of the national schools championship at Littlebourne tomorrow.

He is a rugged and combative player. The black eye and surrounding abrasions are testament to his feisty style.

''This year we've been playing in the premier colts grade and getting beaten up every week has probably benefited our rugby as a team. We've probably got a lot stronger and more physical.''

McDowall has put on 10kg this year. The added bulk may have slowed him down a touch but the extra weight has helped him remain competitive.

McDowall hails from a small community near Gore but moved to Dunedin with his parents in year 10.

He was the youngest member of an OBHS team which won the Spartan 10s tournament earlier this year and competed at the national under 15 tournament two years running before linking up with the First XV last season.

''Normally, you would go on to the second XV but he came through from the under 15s to the first XV and not many boys actually do that,'' coach Ryan Martin said.

''This year we've changed over from the Highlanders competition to the premier colts ... and Slade has been one of the form loose forwards in that grade.

''He is an old school No 7 who is just always fighting for the ball ... and he has the ability to offload in contact, as well. That is why we are able to play him at No 8.''

Martin expects St Bede's will present an enormous challenge tomorrow.

''They have a pretty organised forward pack with a couple of big boys in there.

''They have a very good lock, so we know lineout time will be important. And they have a couple of strong running backs who are very dangerous.

''They've come right at the right part of the season. But for us, we're on a bit of a mission this year. The premier colts has just been amazing for us. We've faced some gigantic forward packs and been very, very competitive.

''We have no fear of any big packs after being in that grade and just hope to kick on with what we've being doing at that level of rugby.''

South Otago High School will play St Andrew's College in the South Island final of the co educational tournament in Christchurch tomorrow.

South Otago coach Adam Whaanga described the match as a ''massive mountain'' to climb for his team.

''We're depleted a wee bit. We've only got four year 13 [pupils] going up for the game, so we've got a really young team.

''Anything is possible but it is a massive challenge for us.''

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