UPDATED CANCELLED Condor 7s chance for smaller rugby schools to shine

Monday morning update: The tournament has been cancelled owing to the prospect of grim weather this afternoon at the venue which will be no fun for anyone. Further details on what this means for National Condor 7s qualifications to come. 

Defending champions Hutt International Boys’ School return to the scene of their triumph when they line up alongside nine other Senior Boys school teams at the annual Wellington region Condor 7s tournament at Naenae College tomorrow.

Last year HIBS beat then two-time defending champions Scots College 19-17 in a blockbuster final to win their first title.

HIBS will be defending the Christian Cullen Cup, but will have stiff competition from several other squads, not least traditional big guns and Hutt Valley neighbours St Pat’s Silverstream and others such as Wellington College, St Pat’s Town and Scots College.

St Mary’s College have an ice-like grip on the Senior Girls’ Kat Simpkins Cup, and they will be up against other town schools Wellington Girls’ College and Wellington East Girls’ College in a three-team tournament as they look to win their 10^th straight title.

St Mary’s will also be defending their U15s Girls title, in a five-school pool.

There will be much interest on the Boys U15s tournament too, where Hutt Valley High School stormed to this title two years ago winning the inaugural Roderick Solo Cup. Last year saw St Pat’s Silverstream edging out St Bernard’s College in the final. The Boys U15 tournament also has the most entrants with a healthy 13 teams vying for Condors colts honours this year.

Three fields will be in use from 9.00am to approximately 3.00pm and then the tournament narrows down to fields 1 and 2 with the two Cup U15 finals scheduled at 3.20pm (girls) and 3.40pm (boys) and the Open Cup deciders slated for 4.00pm (girls) and 4.25pm (boys).

The tournament again serves as the qualifier for the National event at Mount Maunganui’s Blake Park in a few weeks’ time, with the finalists in both the Open Boys and Open Girls earning the right to compete.

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Teams and Pools

Open Boys

• Open Boys Pool A:  Rongotai College, Hutt International Boys’ School, St Pat’s Silverstream Blue
• Open Boys Pool B: St Pat’s Town, Scots College, Tawa College
• Open Boys Pool C: Wellington College, Mana College, St Pat’s Silverstream White, St Bernard’s College

U15 Boys

• U15 Boys Pool H: Rongotai College, Taita College, St Pat’s Silverstream Blue
• U15 Boys Pool J: Wellington College Black, Naenae College, St Bernard’s College
• U15 Boys Pool K: St Pat’s Silverstream White, Bishop Viard College, Scots College
• U15 Boys Pool L: Wellington College Gold, Hutt Valley High School, Newlands College

Open Girls

• Open Girls Pool F: St Mary’s College, Wellington Girls’ College, Wellington East Girls’ College

U15 Girls

• U15 Girls Pool G: St Mary’s College Aotea College, Hutt Valley High School Combined, Sacred Heart College, Scots College

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The full draw (as of Sunday, subject to change) is here:  Draw – 2025 CSW Sevens Regional Champs (Final) (link to download spreadsheet)

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Conditions 

One other factor to look out for in this year’s tournament is the weather, and the forecast is not good.

If forecasters are accurate it could get more difficult as the day progresses, with strong winds predicted from late morning and lashings of heavy rain showers.

With the pavilion that formerly overlooked fields 1 and 2  having been knocked down, the tournament HQ is now under a tent and there could be nowhere to run and few places to hide for officials, referees, players and spectators alike if it gets wild.

Teams have been visiting their local camping stores on Sunday buying entrenching tools and extra guy ropes for their tents and marquees and assorted shelters.

Officials have also confirmed there is a cancellation option – which would be made early in the morning on College Sport Wellington’s Facebook page. With no reserve day, last year’s teams (all four finalists) would appear to be automatic qualifiers through to the National Condor 7s in early December in such a scenario.

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Coverage

It is understood that there is no live streaming tomorrow, but there are live results online – to view and keep track of these, visit our friends at College Sport Wellington on their website at https://www.collegesport.org.nz/

As always we will follow up post tournament on Monday and on Tuesday with our written and visual content – look out for that.

Blast from the past. Watch highlights of the 2020 Boys semis and final: