The rugby history of Napier Boys High School (NBHS) is deeply woven into the fabric of New Zealand secondary school sports. Wearing the distinctive sky blue and dark blue hoops (often called “the light blue”), the school’s 1st XV has long been a powerhouse, dominating Hawkes Bay and routinely challenging the very best teams across the country.
1. Foundation & The Early Traditional Moas
Established in 1872, Napier Boys’ quickly made rugby its premier winter sport. To maintain a high level of competition outside of the local Hawke’s Bay region, the school established long-standing “traditional” annual fixtures that remain intense highlights of the school calendar today.
• Palmerston North Boys’ High School: This fierce rivalry dates back to the early 20th century, serving as one of the definitive benchmarks for both schools.
• Wairarapa College & Wellington College: These traditional matches allowed NBHS to test themselves regularly against the best talent in the lower North Island.
2. Entering the Super 8 Era (1997–Present)
In 1997, Napier Boys’ became a founding member of the Super 8, an elite sporting competition involving eight prominent boys’ high schools across the North Island.
The introduction of the Super 8 fundamentally raised the stakes, pitting Napier Boys’ weekly against rugby royalty like Hamilton Boys’ High, Rotorua Boys’ High, and Hastings Boys’ High School (their ferocious cross-town rivals). NBHS has claimed the coveted Super 8 Rugby Title multiple times, solidifying their spot in the upper echelon of schoolboy rugby.
3. National Success: The Top Four
The pinnacle of New Zealand school rugby is the National First XV Championship (The Top Four). Napier Boys’ has reached this exclusive tournament multiple times, proving they can run with any school in the country.
• The 2002 National Final: One of the school’s greatest ever rosters made it all the way to the national final, falling just short against a legendary Rotorua Boys’ High side.
• The 2018 Dream Run: After clinching the Hurricanes regional title, Napier Boys’ charged into the National Top Four final. In an absolute classic played in the blistering rain, they narrowly finished as national runners-up to St Peter’s College (Auckland) with a score of 31-28.
• 2022 Top Four: They returned to the big stage again in 2022, securing their place as the undisputed kings of the Hurricanes region.
4. The Legendary Rivalry: Napier vs. Hastings
No discussion of NBHS rugby is complete without mentioning the annual clash against Hastings Boys’ High School.
Known simply as the “Bay Derby,” this match divides the Hawkes Bay region every winter. Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, both schools have simultaneously ranked in the national top ten. The games are notoriously physical, drawing thousands of spectators, old boys, and national scouts to watch future professional talent square off.
5. The Breeding Ground for All Blacks
Napier Boys’ High School has a prolific track record of developing players who go on to pull on the silver fern. Some of the most notable rugby alumni include:
Greg Somerville Prop 66 caps for the All Blacks; a foundational anchor for the Crusaders era of dominance.
Danny Lee Halfback Represented the All Blacks in 2002; long-time staple for the Blues, Chiefs, and Hawke’s Bay Magpies.
Gareth Evans Loose Forward All Black (2018); Super Rugby champion with the Highlanders.
Brad Weber Halfback 18 caps for the All Blacks; dynamic co-captain of the Chiefs.
Tyrone Thompson Hooker Super Rugby standout for the Chiefs and standout for the Māori All Blacks.
Beyond international honors, the school serves as a primary academy pipeline for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies NPC team and the Chiefs/Hurricanes Super Rugby franchises, ensuring “the light blue” remains a feared name in schoolboy rugby.
