Rugby Academy

Tutu Tairea – Director of Rugby

Tutu Tairea brings a wealth of experience to the role, being a former New Zealand Sevens Representative, Auckland Sevens Men’s Captain, Auckland Sevens Assistant Coach, Director of Rugby at Suburbs Rugby, Head Coach of the NZ U18s Women’s Schools Condors 7s team (semi-finalists), U18s World Schools Sevens Barbarians team, Ignite Surge Women’s 7s team and has served as head coach of the Rugby Girls 7s and 10s teams (both 1st Place in Auckland over the years), and 2023 1st XV Rugby Girls Auckland Secondary Schools Champion, Blues Region Champions and Top Four in New Zealand.
Tutu is a proud former student of the school, and was part of the 2007 1A 1st XV Auckland Schools Champion team.

Rugby Academy aims

To develop top quality students and rugby players who have the potential to represent the school at First XV level and beyond. To give our players top quality coaching and improve their rugby skills.

Class information

The Rugby Academy has classes twice a week at Year 9 concentrating on skill development, tactical awareness positional requirements and fitness training. At Year 10 there are one practical session and one theory session per week.

This programme concentrates on extending what the students have learned previously as well as introducing aspects of the tradition of rugby at MAGS and in New Zealand, nutrition, mental preparation, fitness testing, goal setting, team preparation, game tactics, game analysis and developing a good team culture. Outside coaches come in and run position specific training on a regular basis. The class also attends a Blues training once a year so they can experience how a professional athlete trains.

Academy expectations

All boys must meet the following expectations:

  • Play rugby for the school in Years 9 and 10.
  • Attend all team trainings and games.
  • Wear the correct Academy uniform to every lesson.
  • Behave in class and perform to their potential academically.
  • Listen and apply knowledge they are learning to improve their rugby.
  • Train hard and have a good attitude.
  • Be a good team player.

Academy selection

Year 9 Academy trials are held on testing day in November. The boys are required to participate in a number of skill, fitness and game scenarios. 30 boys will be selected for the Year 9 Academy.

Year 10 Academy trials are based on how the boys perform throughout the year in Year 9. The Rugby Director has the final decision on whether a boy will graduate through to the Year 10 Academy. All other boys wishing to enter the Year 10 Academy will be required to trial.

Academy uniform

All boys must wear the school rugby shorts, socks and Academy shirt to every lesson.

Rugby team selection

All boys must trial for a team that plays on Saturday mornings at either 9.15am or 10.30am. Trainings for these teams occur after school between 3.30pm-5pm. We have junior rugby teams in the following grades: Under 14, Under 15, 7A, 6A, 5A and 4A. Academy boys can play if selected in one of these teams.

Academy Costs

Subject Fees = $40

Academy Shirt = $40

Rugby Shorts = $35

Rugby Socks = $10

Recent success

In 2016 the Mount Albert Grammar School First XV won the Auckland 1A Championship, the Blues Regional Championship, and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship.

Subsequently, five members of the team were selected for the NZSS Rugby team and NZSS Barbarians – the most of any school. They helped both teams to win all their games against Australia at the end of 2016.

As New Zealand Champions, the MAGS First XV travelled to Japan in April 2017 for the Sanix Secondary Schools Rugby World Cup.

The MAGS Colts were runners-up to the New Zealand title in 2014 and 2015.

In the past few seasons many players from the Mount Albert Grammar School Rugby Academy have achieved representative honours. Steven Luatua was selected for the All Blacks in 2014 and 2016 and is a member of the Auckland Blues. Elias “Jack” Goodhue is playing for the Canterbury Crusaders. In the ITM Cup, Gafatasi Su’a represented Auckland, Milford Keresoma played for Canterbury, and Albert Nikoro represented Waikato.

Playing fields

Of the six playing fields at the school, two are dedicated to football and rugby. The Number One field has sand-carpeting, top-of-the-line drainage and computerised irrigation systems providing excellent all-year-round playing surfaces. There is also a large multi-sport Astroturf area.

Fitness centre

There is a comprehensive exercise centre which includes a wide range of machines together with free weights. Training programmes are developed by the physical education staff and sports coaches.

School hostel

Mount Albert Grammar School is one of the few state-funded schools with a boarding establishment.

Click here to find out about the School House boys’ hostel.

Mt Albert Aquatic Centre

The school has one of the finest indoor heated swimming pool and leisure complexes in the country, unequalled by any other school. There is a 25-metre competition pool and a large leisure pool, as well as spas, sauna, aqua-slide, equipment shop and cafe.

Other facilities and equipment

The Mt Albert YMCA and Uni Tech gyms are close by, which the boys use after school and before school. Memberships are available through contacting both gyms directly.

For more information about the Mount Albert Grammar School Rugby programmes contact:

Tutu Tairea
846 2044 ext 8213
[email protected]

Sports Administration
846 2044, ext 8136
[email protected]