Kelston Boys’ High contested the final of the World Schools Rugby Festival in Abu Dhabi.
Kelston Boys’ High will return the World Schools Rugby Festival title to New Zealand for a third successive year after imposing a rare defeat on South African champions Paul Roos Gymnasium in a quality 2024 final in Abu Dhabi early on Sunday morning.
Powered by a highly talented loose forward contingent of Aio Keith, Joseph Paiali’i and Ulutoa Ai’i, a strong lineout platform, and good leadership from first-five and captain Jarrel Tuaimalo-Vaega, Kelston triumphed 20-12 after being behind early in an even back-and-forth contest.
It capped a memorable 2024 for West Auckland’s “Kelliblock”, after also winning their 14th Auckland First XV 1A championship in August, and then the Blues region title.
Previously Hamilton Boys’ High claimed the World Schools Rugby title in 2022 and Westlake Boys’ High in 2023. Meanwhile, in the playoff for third, Westlake beat England’s Millfield School 26-12.
In the grand final Paul Roos opened the scoring in the seventh minute from an intercept in their own 22, to have Kelston behind for the first time in the tournament.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2024-12-21 23:12:04
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