6 minute read
King’s Crowned AAGPS Champions
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
The King’s Rugby season began like any other, with the squad preparing for their biennial tour around Europe. Travelling for 26 days, stopping in four countries and playing seven games, the boys had a fabulous time practising their rugby while making many lifelong memories. The tour provided a great development platform for the boys; and unbeknown to them at the time, their undefeated tour was setting them up seamlessly for the 2020 season ahead.
It was now 2020, a new year and one that had promised great significance for the School as it marked the sesquicentenary of Rugby. To the squad’s dismay, however, 2020 would be a year like no other. March came along and with it COVID-19 - the pandemic that would jeopardise the season ahead, not just for our rugby boys, but for all sport at King’s. Although spirits dropped, the boys were distributed with isolation programs and to their credit, did not stop training.
Months passed with little hope that AAGPS sport would go ahead. Then the announcement was made. Cheers of joy echoed through the Senior School campus as the Headmaster notified the community that AAGPS sport would commence – meaning the world’s longest pre-season would continue for our players. The boys never stopped their training, working harder than ever before for their long-awaited season.
With Round 1 against St Joseph’s College postponed, the season recommenced on the JS White Oval with Round 2 against Riverview. It was a different atmosphere to the usual lively King’s rugby game as there were no war cries, tunnel, Old Boys or friends and family there to watch. Yet, there was no stopping our loyal King’s supporters from cheering on the boys. With COVID, came the frequent use of live stream. Like never before King’s AAGPS sports games could be broadcast to the community via phone, tablet, laptop, you name it. Despite all setbacks, the boys started their season very well with a clinical win.
Round 3 rolled on and it was another win for King’s, this time defeating Scots College. After throwing everything they had at the King’s team, in an effort to hold onto their season after a defeat the previous week, King’s held strong taking the win. The belief in each other and teamwork displayed was something very special, evident in all aspects of the game.
Onto Round 4 against Newington – the game that commemorated 150 years since the first game of rugby was held between the schools. As expected, this turned out to be a gruelling encounter, with King’s grinding out a decisive win, setting them up for their last home game against Shore.
Facing Shore at home, was a special game for 12 of the 15 King’s boys as it would be their last game played on the JS White Oval. The benefits of solid preparation bore fruit as King’s ran away victors against a valiant opponent. Cherishing their time on the White, the boys enjoyed the occasion to its fullest. This final win set the boys up for the Championship game, where they would take on St Joseph’s College, their postponed Round 1 game.
The moment was here – what the season and preparation had all came down to. Almost 11 months on and the delay of Round 1 turned out to be a fairy tale finish. A mid-week makeup game to be played on the prestigious St Joseph’s College No.1 Oval. What a way for 12 of the 15 King’s boys to finish the final week of their schooling journeys!
Having strong belief and trust in the teammates either side of them, the game was built on defence. Joeys and their skilful backs threw everything they had, but the King’s defensive wall held strong, using defence as a form of attack, continuously knocking over and frustrating the Joeys team. The first attacking opportunity the King’s boys got, they capitalised. From then on it was one-way traffic with King’s dominating in all facets of the game, blowing Joeys away 43-19 and in doing so, becoming the undefeated AAGPS Champions for 2020.
The boys definitely saved their best until last, putting on a solid performance, in what could be seen as a historical moment and one of the best team victories by a sky blue and white team. This win being King’s 30th AAGPS 1st XV Premiership and the School’s 12th Championship.
What a year! What a season! These young men worked hard and are fully deserving of everything they achieved. What a wonderful way to celebrate 150 years of King’s Rugby.
Pat Hilgendorf Master in Charge Rugby 2020 Rugby Season Statistics
October 2019 The 2020 Rugby season began with the squad embarking on a 26-day tour around Europe, stopping in Ireland, Wales, England and Italy.
March 2020 The senior squad reassembled once more after finishing summer sport commitments. It’s not long before COVID-19 strikes, leaving all sport on hold indefinitely.
July 2020 The announcement was made that AAGPS sport could recommence. The world’s longest pre-season was nearly at an end.
August 2020 The AAGPS competition finally arrived after two trial matches were played, with King’s defeating both Newington College and Scots College. Round 1 vs St Joseph’s College was not played, but pushed back to the end of the Term – a master stroke!
August 2020 The first official game of the season commenced on the JS White Oval for Round 2 against Riverview. It was a modified game with no tunnel, war cries, Old Boys or friends and family spectating. Despite all setbacks, it was a great start from the boys, leading to a clinical win.
September 2020 Round 3 was played against Scots College at home. With Scots’ season on the line, the squad threw everything they had at the King’s boys, ultimately falling short, leaving King’s to take a dominate win.
September 2020 Round 4 against Newington commemorated the 150th year of the first game of rugby between the schools. It was a gruelling encounter, with King’s grinding out a decisive win.
September 2020 King’s faced Shore at home, marking the last time 12 of the 15 King’s boys would play on the JS White Oval. King’s was again victorious.
September 2020 King’s travelled to Hunters Hill to play their postponed Round 1 game against St Joseph’s College for the Championship. King’s dominated in all facets of the game, blowing Joeys away 43-19, and in doing so, became the undefeated AAGPS Champions for 2020.
