Watch: National spotlight awaits enigmatic Rongotai Sevens team

Wellington’s Rongotai College have pulled off an improbable run at the Condor Sevens, finishing runners-up in a tense final going down 21-19 to Scots College. The second placing qualifies Rongotai for the national championships on the Condor Sevens circuit, an astonishing result, propelling an overlooked side onto the national stage for the first time in 31 years.

“I believe that when you’re able to achieve the impossible and overcome the unbeatable, that is 100 per cent success right there” said Sevens coach Varani Komaisavai despite the loss in the final. The coach called the loss a ‘bittersweet moment’ as the team realised that the national stage beckons.

“We’re all excited about the tournament. Exposure and experience at the national level is good for individual progress but as for the team, like all the other teams, we want to freely express ourselves and make the College proud.”

‘Playing Sevens on a national stage effectively means you are one good tournament away from a contract. It is the best place for scouts both national & global to view ‘athletic talent’ over a short timeframe’ said 1^st XV coach Dave Meaclem.

For a team that had no invitations to the Hurricanes under-18 camp, a chance to play some of the country’s best talent offers a second chance for the boys to make a name for themselves.

After a tough 1^st XV season with limited success, the Rongotai philosophy hasn’t changed.

“We need to let the kids explore their world before teaching them about ours. Ultimately they just want to play code with their mates and we let them experience this.” Mecleam said.

This ‘freedom of expression’ approach may explain why this dark horse has found dramatic success in the shorter format, with the space afforded on the Sevens field giving the Rongotai athletes room to shine.

For captain DJ Taoipu, the result caps off years of hard work in 1^st XV rugby.

“It’s awesome, I was speechless. I actually thought I was dreaming. But to play in a final was the best feeling ever, there’s so many great words that describe how we felt. Walking past the boys in school everyone’s still talking about it, everyone’s been excited to turn up and just recap how we made the final.”

The underdog tag has long been associated with Rongotai College, the high school that produced the Savea brothers and Ma’a Nonu. But this tag is often perpetuated too much says Meaclem.

“There is potential in every 1st XV playing group. However, I think the difference between this year’s team and the previous four years has been the balance of the team. We had team players as opposed to ‘individuals’ and collectively they worked hard for each other.

“I liken Rongotai College rugby to a volcano – it just bubbles away and then erupts.”