Wellington College victorious in 100th Quad tournament

Image: Andy McArthur

By Adam Julian

Wellington College captain Z’kdeus Schwalger told Sky Sport after his school’s 43-13 win over Nelson College in the 100th annual Quadrangular final, “Part of history. I have no words. Yeah, nah, happy with this group.”

Wellington’s forwards were too strong for Nelson, six-time winners in the previous seven years. Two tries from tighthead prop Harry Baddington and hooker Noah Sipeli showed how combative Wellington was. First-five Joe Barry kicked four conversions and often challenged the defence with a mature running game. For Nelson, fullback Liam Soper, who scored 23 points in a day one 48-29 victory over Christ’s College, tighthead prop Coby Davis, and second-five Viliami Holani had a fine tournament.

Wellington has won the Quadrangular outright 34 times, this being their first win since 2023. They have won 38 of their 72 Quad matches against Nelson and 112 of 190 matches overall.

In chilly conditions echoing the Crowded House classic "Four Seasons in One Day", defending champions Nelson pulled clear of a gallant Christ’s College 48-29. Wellington overpowered hosts Whanganui Collegiate 50-10 on the first day.

On the embankment side of Whanganui Collegiate, the whole school was out in force. A temporary grandstand parallel to the cricket pavilion was packed with parents and old boys reminiscing fondly of glory days while gorging on sideline delicacies such as beef brisket, bacon butty, spring rolls, and sausage in bread, washed down with Coke or coffee. In the nearby gymnasium, vivid and thoughtful photo montages of yesteryear were on display.

In the buoyant, convivial atmosphere, Nelson scored the first try just a tick after midday when vice-captain and prop Coby Davis barged through after four minutes of repeated, rigorous phases.

The Black and White hoops responded immediately when Year 12 winger Henry Brotherway veered off his right foot past three defenders, stumbling just short of the paint. In the next phase, the destructive centre Hoanu Kahukiwa ploughed clear. Brotherway repeated his trickery off the left foot, leading to a try by No.8 Max Osmers, who carried with fervour. First-five Jackson Grace added variety as a playmaker.

Down 12-10, aptly named Nelson opposite Bronco MacDonald made a searing break with a “backdoor” decoy move that exposed Christ’s left-side defence and allowed lock Ryan Quinn to stride into the space created. The tactic often paid off.

Nelson settled the outcome with two tries in the first five minutes of the second half to Soper and hooker Jackson Faine, advancing the score from 17-12 to 31-12. It threatened to become a blowout when winger Alex Drury crossed in the 48th minute. To their credit, Christ’s rallied with Gus McKenzie and Luke Mostert scoring tries off the bench.

Despite plenty of endeavour and a lion-hearted shift from captain and openside James Olds, Whanganui Collegiate was soundly beaten 50-10 by Wellington College. Schwalger was a menace at the breakdown. Sipeli scored two of the eight tries latched to the back of an imperious rolling maul. Whanganui’s winger Lachie Stark snatched a thrilling 75-meter intercept early in the mostly one-sided contest.

The best game of the tournament was the 21-21 draw between Whanganui and Christ’s in the playoff for third. Whanganui first five Cruz Malo, right sock up, left sock down, kicked a conversion with the last act of the joust. The ball rebounded off the left upright and dropped over to earn the tie. The locals celebrated like a 21st. And so they should. It’s been a lean season for Whanganui, winless in CNI and down 21-7 with two minutes left, apparently no chance of a positive outcome.

However, with loosehead prop Harry Sherritt on the charge and a determined bench, Earine McQueen halved the deficit as the scoreboard clock passed 70 minutes.

At 75:24 on the clock, right winger Kobe Simmonds was unmarked and euphoric after a courageous continuity by his forwards. 

In 2016, Ngane Punivai and in 2020, Jack Jones won the Sky Sport Fans Try of the Year award while playing for Christ’s College.

A beauty scored by centre Hoani Kahukiwa in the 61st minute could be a contender as well. It started with a tackle and strip by second-five Havery Gubb in the Whanganui 22 on the left touchline and ended six passes and 80 meters later on the opposite side. Centre Hoani Kahukiwa was the finisher.

Meanwhile, Punivai was a Quadrangular winner in 2016 and has gone on to become a Māori All Black. He won the NPC with Canterbury in 2025 and Super Rugby Pacific with the Hurricanes in 2026.

It was the fifth draw in 72 Quad games between Whanganui and Christ’s. The last draw in the tournament had been an 18-18 tie between Christ’s and Wellington in 2019.

Quadrangular Results 2026
Round Robin: Nelson College beat Christ’s College, 48-29
Round Robin: Wellington College beat Whanganui Collegiate, 50-10
Consolation Final: Christ's College drew with Whanganui Collegiate, 21-21
Grand Final: Wellington College beat Nelson College, 43-13