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- By Adam Julian & Steven White
Nelson College have maintained their stranglehold on the annual Quadrangular Tournament, prevailing for the sixth time in seven years by withstanding a furious fightback to win today’s final against Wellington College 31-24.
Nelson was anchored inside their 22 for the best part of the last five minutes as Wellington desperately sought an equaliser that was ultimately snuffed out when inspirational captain and No. 8 Tom Perkins snaffled a heroic turnover directly in front of the sticks five metres out.
Wellington had trailed 24-7 at the interval, threatening to emulate the comeback heroics of their 2023 champion team.
The opening quarter of the first half of the played at Christ’s College was a cagey affair with both sides kicking for territory and trying to apply their set-piece to gain dominance. Nelson were the first team to strike, from a rolling maul. Hooker Jack Potter was the scorer.
After a dozen minutes of the first half, Wellington captain and centre Carisma Faitala broke from 40 metres out after a scrum and fired out wide to fullback Navrin Campbell who scored. First five Archie Sims converted to make it 7-7.
Nelson’s second try was scored by wing Alfred Leweni, and it came from clean lineout possession and swift distribution in the backline.
The turning point of the first half was about five minutes before halftime when Nelson scored two quick tries.
Captain Tom Perkins in his 41st game for the First XV scored a try when Wellington was caught napping on the left side again. Then Campbell fumbled and Nelson powered over for a fourth try to blindside flanker Billy Barlow to lead 24-7 at the break.
Wellington started the second half with renewed vibrance. Wing Fraser Lindsay dashed down the left side on a 50 metre tear and was caught. But Wellington recycled rapidly and went right to opposite wing Rico Poutama who scored in the corner and the deficit was halved.
A heavily bandaged Faitala was increasingly meancing and his try from another lightning Lindsay break made it 24-19.
Nelson missed a penalty to extend the lead to eight, but then swopped upon a panic pass from Wellington just outside the 22 and Nelson openside Jayden Aldworth pounced and scored. The conversion was kicked by Wiremu Makea to make it 31-19.
Wellington’s bench added conspicuous zest and blindside Dru Faletolu was huge as Nelson lost their discipline. Eventually tireless No. 8 Z’Kdeus Schwalger crashed over with about six minutes to go to close the gap to 31-24.
Nelson’s defense was stretched to the limit but the dogged Southerns with only five returns in 2025 were resolute. Perkins and lock Will Horncastle were immense. Pōneke centurion Greg Foe is Nelson’s head coach.
In the consolation playoff, Christ’s College thrashed Whanganui Collegiate 41-12. It was 24-0 at halftime. A highlight for Christ’s were two tries scored by halfback Luke Woodwiss. Christ’s captain and flanker Alf Markham is an instrumental figure.
Nelson have won the tournament 26 times but trials Wellington 37-28 in all-time meeting.
The 100th Quadrangular will be hosted June 18-20 2026 at Whanganui Collegiate.
Quadrangular Tournament – some updated records and head-to-head statistics
- Wellington College’s overall record is 110 wins, 72 defeats, 16 draws.
- Christ’s College overall record is 83 wins, 101 defeats, 14 draws.
- Nelson College’s overall record is 95 wins, 87 defeats, 16 draws.
- Whanganui Collegiate’s overall record is 78 wins, 106 defeats, 14 draws.
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On Wednesday, Taita College defended the Hylton Burt Cup 32-29 with a gutsy come from behind win over Kapiti College at Raumati. Kapiti went out to a 17-5 lead at halftime. Taita dominated the second half and used the strong wind behind them to outscore there higher ranked opposition. This win makes it a three-peat of victories for Taita since the reintroduction of this long standing traditional.
St Pat’s Silverstream pulled away from Hutt International Boys’ School in the second half to win 78-12 and stay unbeaten in the Premiership competition. Silverstream led 29-12 at halftime, after HIBS had opened the scoring in the 1oth minute to left wing Kobe Tetevano but Silverstream then laid on five tries to five different players. They then ran in another seven tries, with second-five Corus Taylor-Lefaoseu scoring a late double and first-five Fletcher Cooper converting all of them.
At New Plymouth, Francis Douglas Memorial College beat St Bernard’s College 36-14 in their traditional fixture.
At Porirua Park on Wednesday night, Tawa College defended the Beard Trophy for the third time this season, against Porirua College. Tawa College won 22-17, their toughest defence to date in the series as the score suggests.
Porirua came to play and put in some big hits and gave it a crack, but they were too individualistic in the first half and Tawa defended well and scored twice to lead 10-0 at halftime.
Porirua were more cohesive after halftime and dominated early. Tawa defended well again and broke through to score to make it 15-0. Porirua lost a player to the sin-bin and Tawa scored their winner through second five Malachi Osman, running through an unprotected ruck and 20 metres to the line.
The 14-player Porirua rallied hard and launched a comeback over the final several minutes, scoring three times to push them close. Tawa also lost a player to the sin-bin during this onslaught, while they lost two players to injury in the second half, the latter being first-five Jonathan Afamasaga.
Tawa’s fourth and final Beard Trophy defence is against Mana College later in July after the school holidays. Should they win that, they would have defended the Beard Trophy for two full seasons. This game against Porirua was also a Co-ed Cup match.
Wednesday night at Porirua Park also saw the College Sport Wellington U15 final between St Mary’s College and Wellington East Girls’ College 56-0.
Sacred Heart College defeated Wellington Girls’ College 30-27 in the Division 2 final.
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