By Angus Hayman

Two rounds into the AAGPS season and The King’s School have already announced themselves as genuine premiership contenders.

Back-to-back victories over Joeys and Scots, including a dominant 30-10 win in difficult conditions last weekend, have quickly built momentum around the side.

But Kings coach Hugh Perrett is making sure nobody inside the program is getting carried away.

“It’s been a seriously short preseason,” Perrett told Rugby News.

“With rowing going deep and only playing two trials, and obviously two really tough trials against Barker and Augustine’s, we’re still building.”

That measured approach has reflected Kings’ performances so far.

Their dramatic opening-round win over Joeys showed resilience and composure late, while the victory over Scots highlighted a far more direct and defensive edge to their game.

Against Joeys, Kings absorbed repeated momentum swings before finding a way to win after the siren. Against Scots, they suffocated the home side through dominant defence, set-piece pressure and clinical execution in wet conditions.

“We definitely deserved the win against Joeys but a couple of simple errors cost us some points big time,” Perrett said.

“In the second half we built pressure on them and eventually got there in the end.

“We are still working on things. I wouldn’t say we are a finished product but that’s an exciting thing.”

That improvement was obvious against Scots, particularly through Kings’ rolling maul, which delivered a try within the opening minute and consistently put the visitors on the front foot.

Perrett admitted it was pleasing to see preparation transfer directly into match execution.

“The lads have a checklist of things to go to when they want to choose them and use them,” he said.

“They did a good job at selecting the right moments and executing accordingly.”

Now comes another major test against an unbeaten Newington College side that has also impressed through the opening fortnight.

Newington’s comeback victory over Scots in round one showcased their ability to attack from broken play, while last weekend’s 35-29 win over Shore highlighted the power of their forward pack and the composure of centre Jaryd King, whose goal kicking proved crucial in difficult wet-weather conditions.

That accuracy off the tee could become significant this weekend, particularly with Kings still searching for consistency with their own goal kicking.

Perrett admitted it remains an area the side is still working through.

“We’ve got a few options obviously… Will Taylor, Talen Risati and then Levi Strong finished the game on the weekend,” he said.

“Our accuracy hasn’t been great, but luckily we’re scoring enough tries. Maybe we just need to score them under the posts.”

Kings’ strength so far has come through the middle of the field, with experienced leaders and versatile younger players stepping up early in the campaign.

Perrett singled out No.8 Christopher Suaalii for his impact across the opening rounds after the backrower was forced to fill in the front row through injury.

“He’s been fantastic,” the coach said.

“He played No.8 but filled in for an injured front rower in round one which is just an amazing effort.”

Senior players Talen Risati, Oli Smith and Hasani Bloomfield have also set the tone physically, helping Kings establish one of the competition’s most aggressive defensive packs and this trait will have to play a colossal part of their upcoming clash against Newington if they want to remain unbeaten.

Still, Perrett knows early-season form means little in a competition as short and unforgiving as the AAGPS season.

“It’s week one, week two… it’s schoolboys rugby,” he said.