Photo: Leola Garvida
Hawaii Youth Rugby held its second fall 7s series and championship, and Kahuku High School took the girls’ title. The Raiders won the inaugural trophy and are the standard for girls’ high school rugby in the union and beyond.
There were three series stops on Dec. 7, Jan. 19 and Feb. 15, and four teams from three islands competed: Kahuku (Oahu), Maui, Kona Royals (Big Island) and Hilo Reign (Big Island). The Raiders won all three stops but did drop one game on Jan. 19. Maui had played Kahuku the closest throughout the season and finished runner-up on the series.
Photo: Leola Garvida
HAWAII FALL 7s SERIES
December 7, 2019
- Kahuku Girls Rugby (3-0)
- Maui Girls (2-1)
- Kona Royals (1-2)
- Hilo Reign (0-3)
January 19, 2020
- Kahuku Girls Rugby (3-1)
- Maui Girls (2-1)
- Hilo Reign (0-2)
February 15, 2020
- Kahuku Girls Rugby (3-0)
- Maui Girls (2-1)
- Kona Royals (1-2)
- Hilo Reign (0-3)
“We had Martha Daines and JD Stephenson here running an Opportunity Camp for the players that started on Friday, so they were able to really watch a lot of the Hawaii players in their natural team environment,” Kahuku head coach Nusi Tukuafu noted the presence of the Girls’ and Boys’ High School All-American coaches. “Martha was very impressed with a few of the Kahuku players that she got to see for the first time.”
Photo: Leola Garvida
The 15s season will now get underway, and perennial state champion Kahuku will follow the lead of team captains Kuulei Uluave (9), Irie Farley (10), Liana Holani (8) and Vai Talanoa (5). Kahuku finished runner-up to South Bay at last year’s Girls High School Club National Invitational Tournament and will return to the single-school national competition this year. In March, the Raiders will also host and face United, as the Utah team returns the trip from last year’s Salt Lake City series.
Stay tuned.