CNI Rugby

2026 CNI 1st XV Rugby Highest Points Scorer
Highest point scorer for the season was Year 13 student Jack Calcinai from St Peter's Cambridge with 127 points scored. Across the season Jack scored 6 tries, 44 conversions and 3 penalties during his 11 match CNI season.

Jackson Hay from St Paul's Collegiate was second placed with 108 points (6t, 27c, 8p).

Well behind these two that cleared 100 points we then had Jay Ladette-Pinfold (Lindisfarne), Oscar Fraser (Wesley), Emosi Vucago (FAHS), and Anson Waru (MC).

No surprise that goal kickers take out the top placings - but these six lads also know the way to the try line as well with 31 tries scored amongst them.

274 conversions were kicked and there were 37 penalties struck. No drop goals were scored this year.

Over all 25 boys kicked conversions and we had 16 boys kick a penalty. Jackson Hay kicked the most penalties with 8.

Note: - Scores as returned by the team managers on their result sheets.

2026 CNI 1st XV Rugby Top Try Scorer
Top try scorer for the season was awarded to Year 12 student Emosi Vucago from FAHS Feilding High School after scoring 9 tries across 8 matches.

Reid Palmer from Lindisfarne College also scored 9 tries but across 11 matches so Vucago picks up the award due to a superior strike rate.

Chasing them close behind them with 8 tries were Luteru Leilua (SJC Hamilton), Sam Brittin (Lindisfarne), and the FDMC pair of PJ Faoagali and Leteru Isiah.

Over all 162 boys scored 438 tries and there was one penalty try awarded.

Well done to these men from Matamata College.

Matamata College always producing the images - great to see.

Great photos 📸

Well done Alex.

Our internal team 321 award was awarded on Saturday to Alex Wrenn in our CNI Plate Final match against St John's College (Hamilton) at Owen Delany Park, Taupo.

Alex has stepped up into the 1st XV from the FAHS 2nd XV following the injury retirement of Monty Gibson for the season. Giving the middle row extra height has enabled our lineout to function to a higher level as Alex soon adjusted to the requirements at 1st XV level. On Saturday he soared in the lineout against an already well-known strong opposition lineout to win our ball and contest theirs. Alex also competed strongly around the park hitting rucks and managed to gain a couple of penalties by getting hands on the ball at a tackle.

Alex - a big step up to 1st XV rugby from 2nd XV rugby and you have grown so quickly in the few matches that you have played. To pick up a 321 in only your 6th match is very impressive and you should be proud of your growth and contribution.

🟥🟦⬜
Kia Toa Kia Ngākaunui
Have Courage, Desire Greatly

FAHS vs SJC
Plate Final

CNI FINALS DAY 2026
The CNI 1st XV competition, unlike other 1st XV competitions around the motu, has a finals day held at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

A slight rejig had to happen this year due to illness for matches in the lower half of the placings. Whilst we appreciate that it wasn't ideal we do acknowledge the three teams for giving the "Game of Three Halves" solution a fair crack of the whip. That all three halves were all within a score of each other shows that it was very even and competitive. So, thank you coaches and lads from WCS, MC and FDMC for making the best of the situation.

The Third vs Fourth match was a replay of last year's match with Lindisfarne College and Wesley College going at it again. This year it was Wesley that came out on top in a cracking match that saw the lead change a couple of times through the match, but it was a try scoring blitz in the second half by Wesley that gave them a lead that they held onto to the end despite a late try by Lindisfarne. 33-31 to Wesley.

The plate final between FAHS and SJC (Hamilton) looked to be a dead rubber at halftime with FAHS leading 26-7, and then the Aggies scored again to take the score out to 31-7 before the Johnnies flipped the switch and went onto attack in the final 20 minutes to claim another 3 tries. The final score of 34-26 to FAHS was the end result in an entertaining match.

Thanks to all family, friends, supporters and sponsors that supported their teams on Saturday. The weather was perfect and the ground conditions absolutely top notch. We appreciate all that made the day a success.

Congratulations to St Paul's Collegiate School in their 44-5 victory yesterday at Owen Delany Park over St Peter's Cambridge to secure the Taine Randell Cup and the Rick T. Francis Memorial Shield for 2026.

Taking their strong campaign into the final against St Peter's Cambridge they opened the scoring early through a converted try to George Benjamin which was soon followed by a penalty by Jackson Hay. A second try was soon scored through Caleb Blake before the relentless pressure saw 4 tries scored in 14 minutes to see St Paul's lead at the halftime break 39-0.

Dogged defence in the second half saw St Peter's restrict the scoring to only a further try and they claimed their own through prop Joshua Aukuso - but there was to be no answer to the fury of the St Paul's first half that effectively sealed the match by halftime.

St Paul's now prepare to play Hamilton Boy's High School next Saturday in the Waikato qualifier for the Top 4 competition. We wish you all the best for his next fixture.

SPC 44 (George Benjamin, Jackson Hay, Caleb Blake, Jackson Hill Brown, Jamie Silich, Lachie Young, Billy Smyth tries; Jackson Hay 3 conversions and 1 penalty) STP 5 (Joshua Aukuso try)- HT SPC 39-0

2026 CNI FINALS DAY
All on at Owen Delany Park Taupo on Saturday the 8th as the 10 CNI Schools play five finals to sort out placings for the year.

The following four matches will kick off at 12noon

-WCS vs SJCHs // 9 vs 10
-MC vs FDMC // 7 vs 8
-FAHS vs SJCHa // 5 vs 6
-LC vs WC // 3 vs 4

before the CNI Grand Final at 2pm
-SPC vs STP // 1 vs 2

We know that a lot of families, friends and supporters make their way to Taupo to take part in the day and support the players and teams. It is a great day to be part of, and all are welcome.

The CNI Finals Day is unique in New Zealand 1st XV Rugby Competitions in that all teams come together for one final day of rugby. A great way to finish the season and continue friendships made through the love of the game.

Following the final - all are welcome to stay and attend the prize giving which takes place on the field.

Presentations will be made to
Top Try Scorer
Highest Points Scorer
Jodie Barrett MVP Medals
Plate Presentation
Taine Randell Cup and Rick T. Francis Memorial Sheild

See you in TAUPO

For those that can't make it all five games will be broadcast on MAORI+ youtube channel with the final also being broadcasted by Whakaata Māori (normal Broadcast Television)