Rugby: Bay boys learn lesson from loss

Brody Leo Palmer finds a gap for Bay of Plenty against Auckland West in the Roller Mills rep game at Tauranga Domain on Saturday. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

The sight of New Zealand's fastest man training on the track during the Roller Mills rugby clash was an unexpected surprise for the crowd at the Tauranga Domain on Saturday.

Papamoa's sprint champion Joseph Miller continued his impressive 200 metre wind sprints shirtless on a chilly afternoon, while inside the track the Bay of Plenty under-13 boys went down 20-12 to their bigger opponents Auckland West in a spirited contest.

The Bay loose forward trio of captain Ta Ao Himiona, Nikki Jacobs and Melino Fotu impressed with their tackling and work rates on a tough day which saw Auckland West jump out to an early 10-0 lead thanks to slick finishing from their talented backline in the slippery conditions.

Keenan Abbey was one of the scorers and looks every inch a future star like his NZ Warriors' under-20s brother Bradley.

Bay fought back well with lock Taiwhanake Waaka-Peters showing his skills and speed to close the gap to 7-10 but Auckland West scored again before the break after a sustained period on attack.

Bay of Plenty started the second half well, scoring a good team try finished off by James Austin, to close the gap to just three points, but Auckland West scored a fourth try and held on for a 20-12 win.

Bay of Plenty coach Cliff Honey says his players did not follow the game plan to try and kick their way out of trouble for territory.

"Unfortunately when you have kids at this age they tend to decide their own fortune," he said. "We actually put messages out for them but it is hard when boys make their own decisions.

"We are getting better and better, and would have been in with a shot if we hadn't lost our first game to Northland.

"It is a short programme we have had to work with and we are just starting to get it together now. We have had three games, two losses and a win, and we have Thames Valley next week, which we should win."

Bay of Plenty 12 (Taiwhanake Waaka-Peters, James Austin tries; Jordan Tuakana-Hudson con) Auckland West 20 (Keenan Abbey, Nafahu Whyte, Rylee Samuela, Malipolo Manukia tries).

BOP rep results

• BOP Development 27 Northland Development 23

• BOP Under-19 22 Waikato Harlequins 17

• BOP Under-18 10 Waikato Harlequins 21

• BOP Under-16 Development 8 Counties 27

• BOP Sec Schools Girls 65 Thames Valley 0

• WBOP Under-14 70 EBOP 0