ALL BLACKS VISIT RIPPA TOURNAMENT
After winning the North Harbour Rippa Qualifying Tournament, St Joseph’s Primary headed down to Wellington to represent North Harbour at the Air NZ National Rippa Tournament on 21 August.
They faced 20 other schools, all representing their respective regions in a festival of rugby in its purest sense. Whilst results were always going to be secondary to the experience and fun that the kids will have, our team fared well.
After Day 1, Harbour finished 2nd in their pool, against Bay of Plenty, Otago, Taranaki and South Canterbury and had qualified for the Championship round.
After play on Monday all the teams headed off to the Poneke Rugby club to participate in some NZ Rugby organised activities and competitions. The kids were gobsmacked when each team was joined by one of the All Blacks,
Day 2 becomes knock out Rippa. St Joseph’s lost their first game to Waikato but went on to beat Southland and then the very reputable opponents Counties Manukau! A 5th place finish is something the team and school should be very proud of – well done kids!!!
Team and their sponsor, Andrew Chung, Future Insurance and Mortgages
The Haka performed for Andrew…….