Scots College in Top 4 semi-finals tomorrow

Wellington's Scots College travels to Rotorua today to prepare for tomorrow's National Top 4 semi-final against Auckland Grammar School in a first for the Strathmore school.

Not only is Scots College breaking new territory just by being at the Top 4 tournament for the first time in the school's history, but a win over the Auckland champions would propel a Wellington school into the final for the first time since 2000 when Wellington College lost to Auckland's St Peter's and the Wellington Lions last won the ITM Cup.

Being the underdogs, Scots College have got everything to gain against the powerful Auckland school that plays in the much vaunted Auckland Premier 1A competition.

Should they overcome their formidable foe, Scots would meet the winner of the other semi-final between Hamilton Boys' High School and Christchurch Boys' High School in the final, which is on Sunday.

As they have shown in recent matches, if they can contain Auckland Grammar's pack and hang in there early, the Scots backs could spell danger once the rhythm of the game is established. Their backline stars, first five-eighth TJ Va'a, Peter and Thomas Umaga-Jesnson, and of course, Malo Tuitama are all in good form and can cut capers from anywhere.

Tuitama missed Scots' come-from-behind Hurricanes semi-final 34-17 win over Palmerston North Boys' High School with family commitments in Samoa. But it is believed that he's back in the squad for Rotorua.

Heading into this semi-final, Scots College have lost just three games all season, to Palmerston North Boys' High School and St Pat's Silverstream - reversing both these defeats with wins over them in the Wellington and Hurricanes finals - and to Auckland's Sacred Heart College in their very first game of the season. Sacred Heart College lost to Auckland Grammar 13-22 in the Auckland competition at the start of last month.

Scots College's opponent, Auckland Grammar School, is in the National Top 4 series for the first time since 2006.

Auckland Grammar recently won the punishing Auckland Premier 1 First XV competition, tipping over defending champions St Kentigern College at Western Springs Stadium 31-26 in front of several thousand fans. Similar to the Wellington final between Scots and St Pat's Silverstream, the Auckland final was in the balance for long periods but Auckland Grammar pulled clear in the second half after being awarded a penalty try.

Auckland Grammar School then swept past North Harbour champions Westlake Boys' High School 47-14 in the final of the Blues region competition. Auckland Grammar led 26-7 at halftime; scoring three of their four first half tries from a long way out. Their superior conditioning playing at a higher grade of rugby was telling. Auckland Grammar have won 19 of 21 matches this season.

With several dangerous players, Auckland Grammar will present Scots with power up front and pace out wide. Key players for them include, lock Sam Ulufonua, first five-eighth Wiseguy Faiane and fullback Shaun Stevenson.

On the other side of the draw, last weekend Hamilton BHS defeated Rotorua BHS 34-8 in the Chiefs region final and Christchurch BHS beat Otago BHS 28-23 in the South Island final.

Also in Rotorua this weekend is the national Co-ed schools Top 4 finals, with Hurricanes winners Feilding High School playing Auckland's Otahuhu College in one semi-final and St Kevin's and Cambridge High School meeting in the other.

Top 4 Draw

Friday 5 September 2014
10.30am: Otahuhu College v Feilding High School (Co-Ed) Field 2
12.00pm: Cambridge HS v St. Kevin's College (Co-Ed) Field 2
1.10pm: Auckland GS v Scots College (Top 4) Field 1 - Televised
2.55pm: Hamilton BHS v Christchurch BHS (Top 4) Field 1 - Televised

Sunday 7 September 2014
11.30am Loser v Loser (Co-Ed)
1.10pm Final (Co-Ed)
2.55pm Final (Top 4)

Girls Top 4 ?(played in Palmerston North)

Friday 5 September

12.30pm: Southern Cross Campus v Feilding HS

3.00pm: Hamilton Girls v Southland GHS

Sunday 7 September 2014

10.00am: Play-Off for 3rd and 4th

12.05pm: Final

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Top 4 Fast facts:

Last five winners:

2013: Hamilton Boys' High School

2012: St Kentigern College

2011: Kelston Boys' High School

2010: Mount Albert Grammar School

2009: Hamilton Boys' High School

No Wellington school has ever won the Top 4 (since 1982). Hurricanes region schools to have won the title are:

1988: Gisborne Boys' High School

1994: Gisborne Boys' High School

2002: Napier Boys' High School

2007: Gisborne Boys' High School

Of the Wellington schools, Wellington College has appeared in two finals, these being:

2000: Lost to St Peter's College 12-20

1995: Lost to Kelston Boys' High School 19-10