1st XV rugby has officially come to a close for 2016 with the completion of the international Quad Series between New Zealand Schools, New Zealand Barbarians, Australian Schools and Fiji Schools.

Both New Zealand teams went undefeated and had several Auckland players helping their cause.

The New Zealand Schools team faced Fiji first and recorded a solid 45-19 victory. St Peters’ Harry Plummer slotted five conversions, playing in the unfamiliar position of second five-eighths after MAGS’ Paul Roache was injured during warm up.

Auckland Grammars’ Sione Havili crossed for two tries while a solo effort from Kings’ Ciarahn Matoe got him on the scoreboard.

There were 11 Auckland players named to play in the side, with Havili joined in the forwards by Rob Cobb (MAGS), Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa (MAGS), Hoskins Sotutu (Sacred Heart), Ajay Mua (Kings) while Carlos Price (St Kents) and Caleb Clarke (MAGS) were in the backs.  Damon Abraham (Sacred Heart) was on the bench.

Injuries to Sotutu, Matoe and Roache meant they did not take part in the second match against Australia.

The big Test match against Australia proved as exciting as always and saw Plummer contribute 22 points off the boot with five penalties, a drop goal and two conversions.

Sione Havili put in a man of the match performance to claim the prestigious Bronze Boot award, New Zealand Schools won 32-22.

The NZ Barbarians kicked off their campaign with a 28-17 victory over Australia at Mt Albert Grammar, featuring six Auckland school boys, including vice-Captain Joe Johnston.

Johnston started in the forward pack along with Tevita Mafileo (St Kents) and Cameron Suafoa (St Peters). Tanielu Bakulich-Tele’a (St Kents) was a stand out in the backline while Niven Longopoa (MAGS) and Jamies Spowart (Kings) both played off the bench.

For their second match, St Peters’ outside back AJ Lam was called into the squad to cover injury. Their 46-20 victory over Fiji Schools included tries to Johnston and Kings’ Jamie Spowart.