BA Methodist High School will mark a major milestone in its history when it hosts Mount Maunganui College’s 1st XV from New Zealand at the Matavelo Grounds.
The match, scheduled for 1pm, is the first time in the school’s 127-year history that it will welcome an overseas rugby team for both sporting and cultural exchange.
In a statement, the Ba Rugby Union said the occasion is a proud moment for the school and the wider Ba community, with fans invited to witness the historic encounter.
Mount Maunganui College arrive with strong credentials, having won the Sam Cane Trophy last season as the top secondary school side in the Bay of Plenty.
Ba Methodist coach David Wise shared similar sentiments, describing the visit as a valuable opportunity for his young squad.
“This is our Under-18 team who are part of the Ba Rugby Academy squad. It is the first time for Mount Maunganui College’s 1st XV to come and play at our school, so we are very grateful,” Wise said.
He added that the match will also serve as key preparation for their rugby league campaign, with most of the side made up of Under-19 players and some Under-17s.
“On game day, most of our Under-19 rugby league players will feature, as many of them are 18 years old, along with some Under-17 players. This match gives them a good contact session as they prepare for the Fiji Secondary Schools rugby league quarterfinals in Suva next week,” he said.
The match is expected to draw strong community support as Ba Methodist celebrates a historic match on home soil.
