Hutt International Boys' School First XV 2026: a small school punching above its weight

There are few better stories in Wellington schoolboy rugby than Hutt International Boys' School. From a small Upper Hutt roll, HIBS have climbed into the region's top tier and, in 2026, they are once again lining up against far bigger programmes in the Tranzit Coachlines Premiership.

According to College Sport Wellington's Premiership preview, HIBS came into the season with a tiny playing base, around 88 players across the school and only 28 training with the First XV, plus just three returnees. Rather than call it a rebuilding year, head coach Scott Ashton, working alongside former Wellington lock Richard 'Sledge' Devery for a fourth straight season and support coach Dominic Wright, backed a group he described as "young, athletic, keen, and coachable."

Earning their place

HIBS booked their Premiership spot with a statement qualifying win over Tawa, College Sport Wellington reporting four tries each to winger Ben Park and halfback Will Ashton. It set the tone for a season built on pace out wide and plenty of enthusiasm, exactly the ingredients Ashton had hoped for.

That attacking spark carried into the Premiership. In early June, ClubRugby.nz reported "another great win for HIBS running Rongotai College ragged 37-10," and noted winger Ben Park "has scored five tries in two games." For a side that leans on home-grown talent, running up a 37-point total against an established Wellington college was a genuine highlight.

In the mix

Through the middle rounds, HIBS held their own in a competitive ten-team field that includes Wellington College, St Patrick's College Silverstream, St Pat's Town, Scots College and Rathkeale. Keeping pace with more resourced programmes is nothing new for the club, which reached the Premiership semifinals for the first time back in 2023 and pushed close again in 2025.

The draw is unforgiving. The back-to-back champions at St Patrick's College Silverstream remain the benchmark, and days out against the competition's heavyweights are a reminder of how tough this grade is. For a school of HIBS's size, simply belonging at this level, and springing the odd upset, is an achievement in itself.

What's ahead

With a young roster gaining a season of Premiership experience, the back half of 2026 is about finishing strong and banking the lessons. Ashton has long argued his side tends to "overachieve" relative to its numbers, and another season rubbing shoulders with Wellington's biggest names only deepens the pool coming through.

For a small Upper Hutt school competing with the region's traditional powers, that trajectory is well worth following.

Follow HIBS on Facebook @HibsNz and at the school website.