Deputy principal Tim Stuck had the pleasure of coaching all three but was first to admit they had some key elements embedded in their game even before arriving at high school.

"I think it's [down to] their work ethic and their understanding of the game, but you know, it stems from probably playing footie in the backyard and going to school down the coast and coming into Francis Douglas Memorial College and then heading on to the greener pasture as well."

Even when pressed, Stuck was not keen on taking too much credit for the Barretts' success.

"Absolutely not. There's been a number of coaches that they've had along the way that have had an impact and I suspect that the environment they are in at the moment ... those coaches have done a pretty good job with them."

But Stuck believed there could just be something in the water at Francis Douglas.

Former All Black Conrad Smith is also an Alumni of Francis Douglas.

Smith who graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Law with Honours, has a strong rugby lineage.

His uncle and great-uncle were both All Blacks and his father represented Taranaki in both rugby and cricket.

More recently, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Jacob has signed with the All Blacks Sevens for two years.

As for which Barrett was best, Stuck leaves it to others to decide.

First fifteen lock Abraham Mataitini opted, perhaps not unsurprisingly, for Scott who was a surprise selection in the All Black's starting lineup for the semifinal, at blindside flanker.

"For me, it's probably Scott Barrett. He's got the biggest work rate on him I'd say."

Source

• rnz.co.nz
• wn.catholic.org.nz
• fdmc.school.nz
• Image: rnz.co.nz

It is common now, almost a show in itself for players to have wrist bands covered in religious iconography.

The cross, albeit badly drawn with marker pen, is worn across Super Rugby on any given weekend. Some players, when they score, clasp their hands in a praying motion, look to the heavens and give thanks. Read more

The side's Fijian players took the Log o' Wood along to the City of Refuge Church in New Plymouth so the congregation could get up close to the famous rugby trophy. Continue reading

Owens has refereed many big rugby matches over the years, including the Rugby World Cup final in 2015 between the All Blacks and Wallabies.

The last time Owens refereed a match was in June when England played Argentina and the 46-year-old said it was good to blow away some of those cob webs.

"I was glad it was 30-minutes each way, wouldn't want to be doing 80 before Saturday but it was very good," he said.

"I enjoy refereeing any level so when you get a chance to give back it is always fun."

"In saying that these boys expect me to referee this match as good as I will on Saturday, if not better, so you have to come in and referee the game for them."

After the match Owens said "They were all very good (players)."

"I'm quite surprised all the parents on the touchline were quite quiet as well."

The match was not without controversy however, with Owens calling two attempted St Peter's tries held up.

However, despite the home side going down 24-19, players from both teams mobbed Owens after the match to have a chat and grab a photo with the man who will hold the whistle on Saturday night.

Source

• Stuff
• The New Zealand Herald
• TVNZ
• Image: Stuff

The three Barrett brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jordie and Liam Coltman were in the All Blacks. Ricky Riccitelli played for the Hurricanes. Teihorangi Walden was in the Highlander's team.

Watch Video: What's in the Water at Francis Douglas College

Deputy principal Tim Stuck, and teacher Steve Simpson both coached the school's 1st XV team together and separately between 2004-2015.

Stuck says the success former students had on the bigger stages of the sport recently had definitely affected the school in a positive way.

The school roll this year is 781, up from 740 in 2009. It caters for students from year seven to year 13.

But Stuck says the school isn't rugby focused; the number of students representing the school has remained around the 200-250 mark since 2009.

Principal Martin Chamberlain credits Stuck for the work he did with the rugby programme.

He says while sports, as well as culture and service are important, "making the man" and academia come first.

He said Stuck worked on making the man before he's worked on making the rugby player.

"I think if people learn responsibility, self-discipline, training, being kind to others and being open to being a team member, all of those things, if those come first then the rugby skills can be built on that."

"In some ways some of these guys shone more when they left the school in their rugby because their foundation of manhood had been built here."

Source

• Stuff
• TVNZ
• Facebook
• Image: La Salle

Along with the three Barrett brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jordie, Liam Coltman had been named as a hooker on the tour.

Martin Chamberlain, the principal of Francis Douglas Memorial College, said they were not only proud of their rugby achievements, but that they had grown into well-rounded young men.

Tim Stuck, who coached the three Barrett brothers at Francis Douglas said they had all shown potential and each had "special qualities".

As the first 15 coach, Stuck had watched all 3 boys play and see their skills develop.

While Beauden showed attributes of a professional rugby player early on and demonstrated skills that would allow him to be influential in a game, it was Scott who he knew would definitely be an All Black.

"As a coach to be honest, I actually thought he would kick on to be an All Black. I thought this guy has an amazing skill set."

"For a lock, kicking goals, footwork, everything. I thought he could certainly go on and play for his country if not for his province."

Jordie, the youngest of the Barrett boys and just 19, had only been away from the school for two years but progressed quickly, Stuck said.

"Jordie grew really quick at secondary school, he was a very, very able rugby player and again skill set, ability to read a game, very tough - he's progressed as well. "

Other notable sportsmen who attended Francis Douglas include:

• John Mitchell - All Black, former All Blacks coach, Western Force Super Rugby team coach
• Conrad Smith - former Hurricanes captain and former All Black
• Frank van Hattum - New Zealand football (soccer) international
• Deacon Manu - New Zealand Maori Rugby and Fijian International.
• Scott Fuglistaller - Wellington Lion, Melbourne Rebel. (Rugby Union)
• Leon Power - Taranaki rugby Bay of Plenty rugby ACT Brumbies Super rugby.
• Carl Carmichael - Taranaki rugby, King Country Rugby, Tasman Rugby and NZ Heartland Rugby Team.
• Teihorangi Walden represented New Zealand Under-20 during the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France.
• Ricky Riccitelli hooker for the Hurricanes at the tender age of 21.
• Kane Barrett Captain Taranaki in the ITM Cup. Blues squad 2013 and 2014. New Zealand Secondary Schools.
• Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• wikipedia.org
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: thai-dreaming.com

4 out of 40 All Blacks attended Francis Douglas College]]> 88590 https://cathnews.co.nz/2016/04/22/kurtis-haiu-farewelled-old-school/ Thu, 21 Apr 2016 17:02:55 +0000 http://cathnews.co.nz/?p=82021

Kurtis Haiu, a former Blues and Auckland rugby player, died last week, aged 31, after a long battle with cancer. Haiu was a also a former New Zealand under-19 and under-21 representative. His career ended prematurely in 2011 when a rare form of bone cancer, Ewings Sarcoma, was discovered in his ribs. He has been Read more

The Matamata pastor, who has been in New Zealand for 18 years, is also acting as a player agent, a position that has attracted controversy recently because of concerns over the welfare of players who come to New Zealand from the Pacific Islands chasing their dream.

Mata says he is only trying to help his countrymen who encounter a "culture shock" when they land in New Zealand. They don't know what to do when they suddenly have some money, he says, and can get into trouble.Continue reading

He may possibly be referring to the Marist Brothers, and the Marist Fathers, many of whom played a prominent part in rugby in Tonga, including some who rose to the level of international referees.

The team tunes into Radio Tonga to listen to the prayers and support coming from their supporters at home.

"Night after night, sometimes through to the early hours, even when training is only hours away, they have been tuning in to hear the prayers and greetings coming from halfway around the world," Averis says.

Team member Sitiveni Mafi, who has played for Leicester and now plays for the Western Force says, "It's just amazing the support we have from back in the islands."

"Families and villages come together to pray … the boys can feel it so much here. It's almost like we were there."

After Tonga's surprise defeat by Georgia on Saturday, it looks like sackcloth and ashes will have to donned to make the supporters prayer even more powerful than they have been to date.

Source

• theguardian.com
• Image: theguardian.com