The Gareth Rees Boot, a bronzed cleated shoe worn by the legendary two-time Canadian World Cup captain in a game, will be up for grabs today when Rees鈥檚 alma mater, St. Michaels University School, rekindles its annual high school rugby rivalry against Oak Bay.
鈥淭he number of internationals that have come out of these two programs is significant and continues to be,鈥� said Oak Bay head coach Murray Allen.
The 19th edition of the fixture goes today at 5 p.m. on the Oak Bay sports fields.
Oak Bay prevailed 38-17 in last year鈥檚 game.
After four consecutive SMUS victories, Oak Bay has won the last two Gareth Rees Boots to take a 9-8-1 lead in the series.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a tradition and always an emotional game with lots of energy,鈥� said Allen.
Both teams 鈥� Oak Bay is a triple-A school and SMUS double-A this season 鈥� come in 3-1 in the early season.
Oak Bay is led by captain and No. 8 Evan Cambridge, who helped lead the sa国际传媒 team to the U-18 championship in the Hong Kong Sevens and to runner-up in the Las Vegas Sevens last month.
Fellow Grade 12s, fullback Conor McDermid and No. 10 Morgan Tate, provide valuable support.
SMUS fullback Dawit Workie is one of the fastest and most athletic backs in the province.
Meanwhile, the four-time sa国际传媒 triple-A champion Shawnigan Lake School Stags will again be the team to watch, not only on the Island but provincially.
The darkhorse, however, this year could be the Mount Douglas Rams, with an infusion of players from their sa国际传媒 champion football team.
鈥淭hey will be causing people some concerns by the end of the season,鈥� predicted Allen.
CONVERTS: The Island high school rugby sevens championships go Sunday from 9 a.m. to the title game at 5:25 p.m. at Centennial Stadium.
Twelve schools have qualified, with the top-four advancing to the sa国际传媒 championships April 27-28 at UBC Thunderbird Stadium.
鈥淭he Olympic profile [sevens makes its Summer Games debut at Rio 2016] and the international success of our Canadian men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams has put a real spotlight on sevens and it鈥檚 really taken off,鈥� said Allen, noting it also enables smaller schools to get involved that may not otherwise be able to field full XVs teams.
