The more serious charge against the 16-year-old has been dropped after the guilty plea was entered in the High Court at Auckland this morning.
Stephen, 15, died after a school rugby training session on June 6 last year.
He was taken to Auckland City Hospital after being assaulted at training and died a short time later.
The 16-year-old was bailed until March, when he will be sentenced. A pre-sentence report was ordered and the teenager's name suppression will continue until the sentencing.
An 18-year-old still facing a charge of manslaughter will still head to trial on an allegation of manslaughter.
His name remains suppressed and the trial is likely to be heard in June. Until then he is on bail.
- Jimmy Ellingham of APNZ
