By Stu Piddington

Timaru Boys' High School are gunning for a sixth straight win over Roncalli-Aoraki when they go head-to-head on Saturday in the biggest schoolboy match on South Canterbury's rugby calendar.

Roncalli last won the annual clash in 2013 and sit one place above TBHS on the UC Championship points table after wins over Lincoln and Mid Canterbury.

TBHS have had a tough start to the championship with just one win in six games but they look likely to have the edge on a Roncalli-Aoraki outfit that has tasted success against them only three times - 2011-2013 - since they debuted in the championship in 2010.

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Patelesio Latu scores one of his two tries for Timaru Boys' High School against St Andrews College in a UC Championship rugby match in Timaru.

Timaru Boys' have played well at times this season but have struggled for consistent 70 minute performances but a bonues-point win on Saturday could lift them from 13th to as high as 10th on the 14-team table.

READ MORE:* Roncalli-Aoraki surprise in UC Championship* Testing start ahead to rugby's UC championship for South Canterbury schools

They pushed table topping St Andrew's College on Monday after gifting them a big lead. Timaru Boys' fought back before losing 43-28 bit did score four converted tries.

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Roncalli-Aoraki fullback and vice-captain Jackson Hicks-Sandri will be a key player in the team's match against Timaru Boys' High School.

They also welcome back prop Viliame Loilagi and wing Poanga Mavae back after missing the interschool with the flu.

Loilagi will add some strength to the front row and also allows TJ Lensley go out from hooker to No.8.

The handy George Mulder also returns to lock which sees the hardworking James Davidson pack down on the blindside.

Key players for Timaru Boys are their captain George Brown, who is one of the best open sides in the championship. Halfback James Robertson is dangerous on attack and takes his options well.

Timaru Boys' also have more depth on the bench, which isn't a surprise given the size of Roncalli's rugby playing pool.

The achilles heel for Timaru Boys' is their misfiring lineout, which they will need to sort out or gift Roncalli-Aoraki plenty of ball.

Roncalli-Aoraki have a decent front row with Ashlei Stuart-Martin, Sebastian Monua and stand-out Luke Biutanaseva. No.8 Jack Pratt is a useful player who always gets involved.

Halfback Thomas Flynn will enjoy the challenge of keeping his opposite Robertson under wraps.

The midfield sees William Johnson and Roncalli-Aoraki's stand-out back Lian​ Brown combine. Johnson is an excellent defender while Brown has some x-factor on attack.

Both sides also have handy first fives with Hayden Kerr capable of finding a gap for Roncalli-Aoraki while Taine Cordell-Hull can do the same for Timaru Boys'.

The big game of the round sees top four contenders Christchurch Boys' High School host Nelson College.

Roncalli-Aoraki: Jackson Hicks-Sandri (vice-captain); Michael Livingstone, Lian Brown, Angus Cook; William Johnson, Hayden Kerr, Thomas Flynn; Jack Pratt (captain); Ben Kerr, Adam Currie, Aqa Siale, Sam Richards; Luke Biutanaseva, Sebastian Monua, Ashlei Stuart-Martin. Subsititutes: Nic de Joux, Ryan Brosnahan, Alex Hayes, Billy Boyne, George Laing, MacKinley Ayers, Tom Cox.

TBHS: Ryan Allan; Poanga Mavae, Liam Parker, Hugh Cameron; Jacob McKinley, Taine Cordell-Hull, James Robertson; TJ Lensley; George Brown (captain), Ryan Lethwaite, George Mulder, James Davidson; Viliame Loilagi, David Edh, Jack Pudney. Substitutes: Shane Jansen, Dion Mckeown, George Small, William McKinley, Jed Symes, Tafu Tafunaina, Nela Koloa.

Article added: Friday 14 June 2019