Kings has wrapped up the 2023 GPS first XV premiership with two matches remaining after beating Riverview to claim their eighth straight competition win. 

Kings are six points clear of second placed Riverview heading into round nine this weekend and are already celebrating the school’s third first XV title in five seasons.

“It’s a bit of an unusual feeling to have wrapped it up with games remaining,” co-coach Hugh Perrett told Rugby News. 

“That was always pretty hard to do in a one round comp but obviously it’s a bit different this year with home and away matches.”

Kings battled back from 10-3 down at half time to claim a 32-17 victory over Riverview, with centre Boston Fakafanua scoring a double and hooker Bailey Park and lock Peter Milin crossing for five pointers. 

“Riverview are a really smart team and play a high tempo game. They clearly had a game plan to play fast and they did that pretty well,” Perrett said. 

“We wanted to focus on our strengths but unfortunately our discipline wasn’t very good in the first half and for that reason we had to defend a lot and didn’t play with much territory or possession. 

“The boys defended well when they had to, then in the second half we got a bit of momentum and potentially the bounce of the ball went our way which led to a few tries. 

“But all of that came off the back of our strong defence in the first half, which was pleasing.”

Perrett admitted this year’s side is one of, if not, the best side he’s ever coached. Kings remain undefeated this season and had eight players selected in the NSW Waratahs U18s squad. 

Props Nick Ashdown, Edwin Langi and Nate Tiitii, hooker Bailey Park, flanker Austin Durbridge, centre Boston Fakafanua and outside backs Hadley Tonga and Tom Watts will all push for Australian U18s (formerly Schoolboys) selection later this year.  

“I haven’t coached a forward pack this big and this dominant before. We put a lot of pressure on our opposition at scrum time and I felt we probably still didn’t get as much reward as we deserved from some referees,” Perrett said. 

“They’ve been a successful side all the way through school and we knew we had a lot of good individual talent, so it was great to see them come together and play really well as a team. 

“Every year you think you’ve got a good group who are good enough to win it and they all work really hard, but that doesn’t always convert to results. 

“Sometimes things just gel and that’s what happened this year for a really good bunch of kids.”

While the vast majority of the premiership winning side will graduate Year 12 and move into colts rugby in 2024, Perrett said Year 10 forward Issac Fonua headlines a talented crop of players ready to step up next season.

“Issac was great this year and he probably wasn’t in the first XV picture at the start of the year if I’m being honest,” Perrett said of his young star. 

“He had a big body but we weren’t sure about his work rate and physicality until he proved us very wrong earlier in the season. He’s got a big frame, a great rugby head and he’s still got two years of first XV ahead of him. 

“I think he could be something special.”

While Perrett said the side enjoyed themselves after wrapping up the title last weekend, he said the group’s focus quickly switched to finishing the season undefeated. 

“We’re working hard with the boys on that this week. They’ve achieved their goal for the year but now we need to reset almost a play mini two week season. 

“The boys want to leave a legacy and they can do that if they can produce another two good performances. 

“It’s not going to be easy but I’d like to think that they can apply themselves this week as well as they have all season. 

“I don’t want to look past this week but the round 10 match against Joeys at home is going to be pretty special. 

“There will be lots of Old Boys there and there is always plenty of buzz around the match against Joeys. 

“I’d really love to see the boys rip in and cap a great season with a strong victory.