Westlake Boys High School, located on Auckland’s North Shore, has a rich and highly respected rugby history. Since the school opened its doors in 1962, rugby has been central to its sporting culture, evolving from a local competitor into a consistent heavyweight on both the Auckland and national secondary school stages.
1. The Early Eras and Provincial Roots
When Westlake Boys was established in 1962, it initially competed within the fiercely contested Auckland secondary school system. The school quickly earned a reputation for punchy, disciplined rugby, routinely upsetting older, more established institutions across the bridge.
When the North Harbour Rugby Union was formed in 1985, Westlake became one of the anchor schools for the new province. The 1st XV became a dominant force in the North Harbour Secondary Schools competition, engaging in a legendary, decades-long local rivalry with nearby Rosmini College.
2. Rising to the National Stage
For many years, Westlake was dominant locally but found it tough to break past the massive traditional rugby powerhouses of the wider Auckland region (like Auckland Grammar or Kelston) during national qualifiers.
However, the 21st century saw Westlake solidify its place among the elite. The school famously achieved its greatest national success in 2022, put together its most historic season yet by storming all the way to the National Top Four playoff tournament for the first time in the school’s history.
3. Chronicling the History
The heritage of Westlake rugby is remarkably well-preserved. In 2012, to celebrate the school’s golden jubilee, the definitive book Westlake Rugby: The First 50 Years 1962–2012 was published by long-serving Rugby Master Tony Vinicombe. Vinicombe has famously kept the tradition alive by writing comprehensive annual historical volumes tracking every season since.
4. A Conveyor Belt of International Talent
Westlake’s rugby program is highly regarded for developing players who possess high rugby IQ and excellent technical skills. The school has produced standard All Blacks, international players for other test nations, and highly successful coaches:
• Luke McAlister: One of Westlake’s most famous rugby prodigies. A mercurial first-five/centre who went on to star for North Harbour, the Blues, Toulouse, and earned 30+ caps for the All Blacks. (McAlister later returned to the school to give back as a teacher and 1st XV coach).
• Nick Evans: Another world-class All Black first-five who starred for the Highlanders, Blues, and became a legendary figure for Harlequins in England.
• Frano Botica: A dual-code international superstar who played for the All Blacks before switching to rugby league to play for the Kiwis and Wigan.
• Wayne Pivac: While he didn’t play test rugby, this former Westlake student went on to a highly successful international coaching career, famously coaching Fiji, the Scarlets, and the Wales national team.
• Mike Harris: A sharp-shooting back who carved out a successful professional career in Australia, eventually qualifying for and earning test caps for the Wallabies.
• Chandler Cunningham-South: A dynamic modern loose forward who came through the Westlake systems before moving to the UK, breaking into the English Premiership, and debuting for the England national team.
• Modern Stars: The school continues to churn out professionals, including current Super Rugby and international players like Dillon Hunt (All Blacks), Fine and Lotu Inisi (Tonga), Inia Tabuavou (Fiji), and Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders).
