HBHS play South Africa in world youth rugby final

Hamilton Boys High School 1st XV are through to the Sanix World Youth Rugby Tournament final in Fukuoka, Japan.

After beating Tokai University Gyosei High School 43-0 in the semi-final, and local favourites Fukuoka High School 62-10 in the quarter-finals, Hamilton Boys take on South Africa today at 4.50pm (NZ time).

To get to the quarter-finals the boys had to beat a challenging French side.

Team manager Barbara Clark said the French match was “a very hard game”.

Two tries by James Parton and Elijah Ale, and a conversion and penalty by Orbyn Leger saw the team sneak home.

“Not a lot of skilful rugby [was] played, but a huge amount of passion and desperation was,” Waikato Independent’s inside source, player Number 18, said.

The early exit of local favourites Fukuoka High School 62-10 in the quarter-final surprised the large crowd.

“I think it was our best game so far,” Clark said.

A team member who asked to be identified only as Number 18 agreed.

“I’ve never been involved in a game where my team has played so well. We were hungry today and Fukuyoka High School had no answer.”

HBHS then went on to beat Tokai University Gyosei High School in a semi-final yesterday.

Try scorers were Orbyn Leger, Poasa Cama (2), Shanan Tomuri (2), Sevu Reece and Viliami Tuipulotu.

“There are a few injuries, but [our team medic] Dr Hemi seems to be managing them,” Clark said.

Number 18 said co-captain and key player Legin Hotham has sustained an injury to his hand and “the boys are a bit nervous”.

If the team wins today, it will be the third time they have won the competition.

“We will certainly do our very best,” Clark said.