King’s pushed them to the brink of their first defeat this season in the final of the Southern Schools Rugby Championship.
Star first five Jimmy Taylor nailed a late drop goal to clinch a dramatic 27-26 win and a third consecutive title for Southland Boys’.
They have an even bigger match today. They will host Christchurch Boys’ in the South Island final.
Their opponents produced a rampaging display in the mud to beat traditional rival Christ’s College 52-0 in the Crusaders final.
That score again — 52-0. They were so dominant that they added two further tries when they were down to 14 players.
Southland Boys’ coach Jason Dermody shrugged off their big win.
He took one look at the bog they were playing in and figured he would not get much out of watching it too closely.
Yep — definitely not intimidated easily.
"We know what they are going to bring," he said.
"They’re a bit like us. They’ve got good, hard-working forwards that are pretty direct, backs who can use the ball and are very quick.
"We’ll play at Les George on the sand, so that’ll suit them. It’ll be good game."
Southland Boys’ will take a settled team into the fixture. Dermody has not made any changes.
They will lean on Taylor again to drive the team around and create some magic.
Openside flanker Josh Cairns led the pack with a big effort against King’s. Hooker Luka Salesa and unassuming prop Korbyn Kira got through plenty of work.
Christchurch Boys’ co-captain Blake Robinson and fellow lock Liam Newfield produced some quality rugby in a game dominated by forward play.
Former Crusaders halfback Willi Heinz is an assistant coach, and the team have a clutch of players back from last year.
The winner will go on to contest the national top-four finals.
Southland Boys’ beat Westlake Boys’ 32-29 to win the national title in 2023. Taylor, who was just 15 then, drilled a crucial drop goal in that game, too.
SI schools final
Invercargill, 12.30pm
Southland Boys’: Jack Brock, Charlie Byrne, Caleb Harvey, Finn Hurley, Zeke Siolo, Jimmy Taylor (captain), Koen Rarere, Jaziah Smith, Josh Cairns, Elliot Wilson, Mason Coulthard, Jack Mckeay, Korbyn Kira, Luka Salesa, Presley McHugh. Reserves:
Simpson Stevenson, Mito Fa’alialia, Hunter Morrison, Cooper Mitchell, Charlie Walker, Kasseus Henry, Will Garrick.
Christchurch Boys’: Not available
