Hutt International Boys’ School (HIBS) winning this years’ senior College Sport rugby sevens ignites a few numerical accolades.

It was the first time the school has won any premier CSW senior boys rugby competition. The sevens win was made remarkable with it being the first time the school had entered the tournament since 2013 (an eleven-year absence). In beating St Patrick’s College (Silverstream) in the semi-finals, it was the first time HIBS had scored a win over Stream’s top rugby team (as in 1stXV or senior sevens team).

HIBS becomes only the fourth school to win the Christian Cullen (senior sevens) Cup. The other three winning schools being Scots, Stream and St Pat’s (Town). 

Christian Cullen was an attacking fullback known for his quick step and ability to counterattack even from the deepest quarters of his own half. Cullen scored seven tries in his first two All Black games (3 v Samoa and 4 vs Scotland).

It’s wrong to make direct comparisons, but it seems appropriate we talked to HIBS playmaker Sean Carter, about a win his school will no doubt be proud of, for a number of years. Sean was HIBS’ sports-captain in 2024. A role that carries real weight in his sports-loving school.

As part of his speech at the HIBS’ annual sports awards he mentioned that he was looking forward to the sevens tournament, that would be played in a few days’ time. When he found out that the school’s entry in 2013 had lost to Stream in the semis, his response was a very humble “hopefully we can do better”.

The sevens is played annually on Labour Day at Naenae College. It normally brings us a first experience of sunburn for the summer. However, this year it was the rain (and plenty of it) that fronted.

Early morning play saw HIBS beat Mana and Wellington College in pool play. The win over Wellington was down to a last gasp try scored by Mylo Guthrie-Thiel. This is apt, given that when these schools’ first fifteens met over winter, it was Wellington College who won with a last-minute score.

The quarter final saw HIBs beat a talented Tawa College team. The win would next bring a replay of the 2013 semi-final, and a HIBS win over their local rivals St Pat’s (Stream).

It was Stream who scored first, with Preston Maraku scoring a break away try when he picked up on loose ball to run 40 metres under the posts. However, after this blemish, HIBS would gain the ascendency and put the scoreboard pressure on their fancied opponents. Amongst the try-scorers for HIBS was Year 11 student Liam Phelps, who with his contributions on defence and as a strong ball-runner, deserved a try.

When he dotted down for a try late in the second-half, Sean checked with the ref and was informed “you’re up by 10 and there’s 20 seconds left”. The final whistle brought a genuine moment of elation for the team. By making the final they had qualified for the National Condor Sevens tournament.    

The final

It was in the final, that we really saw the mercurial flair that Sean Carter offers. Running the ball from deep, he showed an ability to break the first tackle and then accelerate past covering defenders. Like a surgeon, he dissected the Scot’s defensive line on several occasions. This included a clever chip and chase that would see him round off a hat-trick of tries.

Besides those three tries, Carter also made an essential second-half tackle on Scot’s imposing ball-runner Brandon Lo. The spot tackle would thwart Scot’s late charge and help secure a historic 19-17 win for HIBS.

When asked about Sevens, Carter mentioned “he loves the space.”

Without a doubt the Sevens format is well suited to Carter and HIBS’ rugby programme. This year’s win will hopefully seal HIBS’ involvement in future sevens competitions. The school had previously not entered due to the sevens clashing with preparations for the National touch tournament. Carter credits his schoolmate and team co-captain Tyler Craig for helping him get approval to enter a team.

Sean shares special thanks to coach Dom Wright (who is also the defensive coach of the First XV), seasoned rugby manager Scott Ashton and the school’s rugby supervisor Jessica Anderton.

Besides Carter and the team’s Mr 100% Tyler Craig, the squad included Hurricanes Under 18 representative George White, and Head Boy and senior rugby award recipient Rhys Evans. The full squad was Lachie Amner, Sean Carter, Tyler Craig, Rhys Evans, Mylo Guthrie-Thiel, Finn Johnstone, Felix Middelplaats, Liam Phelps, Thomas Prichard, George White, Noah Wright and Inaki Zabella.

Carter was involved in a good period of rugby for HIBS. As a year 9 student, his Under 55 team won a CSW title. He was also part of last year’s 1stXV, that was the school’s first to achieve a top four finish in the Premiership.

Sean feels that the camaraderie amongst players and good team spirit has always helped his small school achieve good results in rugby and other sports. At the sevens, it was notable to see the number of HIBS supporters grow as the team progressed during the day. He also reflects that a lack of self-belief has held some teams back, this win should provide encouragement to future generations of HIBS rugby players.  

Carter had been doing sevens training with his junior club Paremata-Plimmerton. However, his plans might see him leave Wellington. He’s interested in studying sports management and marketing although Sean is not sure of where he will continue his studies. After a recent visit to Dunedin and catching up with some of his teammates from last year, he might be tempted to choose Otago.

We wish all Wellington teams participating in this years’ Condors in Mount Maunganui the best of luck in their games.

Article courtesy of College Sport Media and Tackld Photography, added: Thursday 31 October 2024