Archibald, who was coaching his last game in charge of the team after three stints spanning 13 years, had nothing but praise for his side.
“I’m extremely proud of our boys. At the end of the day, we only lost two games this year, and they were both to Nelson, we won every other game.
“They’re a bloody great bunch of young men, and they worked hard all year. We weren’t the biggest team, and so the guys had to have real big work rates.
“I’m really proud of the boys, they’re a great bunch of fellas to work with too, just real good individuals.”
Archibald said the whole team was packed with talent, but identified first-five eighth Will Haig, hooker Josh Findlay, lock Finn McLeod and fullback Ollie Singleton as standouts.
“I’m hoping a few boys from this team this year will go a long way or hopefully make some money out of playing rugby for a while, while their bodies allow it.
“It’ll be lovely turning on the TV in a couple of years’ time and seeing them out there hopefully.”
During his time at Boys’ High, Archibald won five titles, and the team made the national first XV championship twice.
He has seen a number of standout players come through the ranks during his tenure - including current All Blacks Will Jordan and Anton Lienert-Brown.
“There’s been some fantastic boys through there.
“Anton and Will stick out because they went through to the All Blacks, but we’ve been really lucky.”
“It is a big time commitment, all the videos you’ve got to watch on Sundays and Mondays and everything else, all your trainings and everything.
“And then a bloody seven-hour bus trip on the way home from Nelson when you’ve lost, that was pretty rough I can tell you.”
He isn’t planning to do any coaching next year.
“I can be one of those grumpy guys that walks around the sidelines and criticises everyone else.”
