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University students win Auckland U21 Rugby Championship

University of Auckland

Thursday 25 August 2011, 4:02PM

By University of Auckland

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The champion University U21 rugby team celebrate.
The champion University U21 rugby team celebrate. Credit: UA

The Auckland University U21 rugby team has taken top honours in the Auckland U21 Rugby Competition, beating Grammar Carlton at Colin Maiden Park.

The team, which plays for the University-affiliated Auckland University Rugby Football Club (AURFC), came back from a 12-3 halftime deficit to win 26-12 and cap what has proven to be a bumper year for the team. It has also won the Whetton Brothers Trophy for winning the first round of the competition, and also retained the John Drake Memorial Shield.

The core strengths of the team were an ability to attack counterpointed with a miserly defence, with a record of 699 points scored while conceding only 135 against. The team is, according to University Club President Robert Taylor, “a side that could really strike from all parts of the field and entertain all.”

Many of the squad are students at The University of Auckland with a number of these players being selected for representative honours.

Sam Marshall (Bachelor of Education), Simon Healy (Bachelor of Commerce) and 2011 John Drake Memorial Award recipient Sean Brookman (Bachelor of Laws) have been selected in the Auckland U21 team – a representative team for the entire Auckland region, made up of all eligible players aged 21 or under. Brock Sibbick (Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws Conjoint) has been selected in the Auckland U20 team.

Bachelor of Arts student Liam Steel represented the New Zealand University U21 team on its North American tour in July.

“This is a great result and one which the University is proud of,” said Louis Rattray, Director for Sport and Recreation at the University. “Playing rugby for the University club is providing excellent opportunities for our students to excel both in the classroom and on the rugby field.”

The remaining students of the champion AURFC U21 team are:

  • Will McKay (Bachelor of Science).
  • Hamish Gee (Bachelor of Commerce).
  • Tim Wilson (Bachelor of Commerce).
  • Theo Commissaris (Bachelor of Science).
  • Jordena Karena (Bachelor of Laws).
  • Michael Lovegrove (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery).
  • Marcus Payle (Bachelor of Laws).
  • Darren Gray (Bachelor of Commerce).
  • Ben Paltridge (Bachelor of Commerce).