Te Puke Sports reign supreme over Argentine tourists

Te Puke Sport winger Conor Hirini gets a pass away in the tackle early in the game against Argentinian visiting side Hindu Sports Club. PHOTO/STUART WHITAKER tp070317sw02.JPG

Argentinian flair couldn't trump Te Puke power as Te Puke Sports took on the visiting Buenos Aires-based Hindu Sports Club rugby team on Monday night.

Te Puke Sports premiers came out 17-14 winners in the clash under lights at Murray Salt Stadium.

Premier side coach Craig Jeffries admitted that, as essentially a pre-season game for his side, the result was immaterial. But he was pleased to get the win.

"You know what an Argentinian team brings. They bring passion, they bring collision and they bring pace and they are always going to have that certain flair that South American teams seem to have. But it was more about what we are trying to do through the season.

"Don't get me wrong, it was nice to get a win, but we're just tying to set up stuff and it's very early days for what we're doing."

It was the premier team's first serious hit out ahead of the season after a combined premier and development side took on Fraser Tech the previous weekend.

With the Baywide competition kicking off on March 18, Te Puke Sports have their final pre-season game against Hawke's Bay's Taradale in Reporoa on Saturday.

"Traditionally they are a good side," said Jeffries. "They are always there or there abouts in their competition, they are well coached and are a big team."

It's the third time the two sides have met in pre-season games at Reporoa.

"It's a good mix because it brings the bus trip for both team and the bus trip is important for bringing the team together, the players spending a bit of time with each other and learning a bit about who we are and what we are."

Te Puke Sports open their Baywide rugby season with a home game against Greerton Marist.

As a curtain raiser to Monday's game, Te Puke Sports' development side fell just short of their Hindu Sports Club's counterparts, losing 31-28.