“Jess Kapene (flanker) scored two tries and was into everything.
“Our vice-captain Jeremy Bright (lock), centre Richie Price, first five-eighth Hayden Law, second-five Trevor Tahuri, Adam Sainsbury (flanker), hooker Zion Ripia, Damen Taukamo-Huata (prop) and Kurt Taylor (captain) all played well.
“Zion was a winger in his younger days but wanted to play hooker, and he stood up.”
Whaitiri was also full of praise for Tapuae.
“They really impressed me with their whole approach to the game. They’re a credit to their coach and his management staff.
“Like us, they’ve had a couple of difficult games, been on the end of some big scores . . . but the way they turned up and played shows me they’re on the right track.
“They turned up smart in their No.1s, looked professional and were always in the game.”
Injuries hit Frank King’s men hard.
“For the first 20 minutes we had no ball,” hooker Wayne Hema said.
“Athletic controlled possession, and scored a couple of tries. Then we started to get into the game and Frank’s game plan of getting the ball wide paid off, with our winger Te Kapu-Rewi scoring the first of his two tries.”
Athletic took a 14-5 lead into the halftime break.
The loss of forwards, particularly former Poverty Bay openside flanker Quentin King, was a massive blow.
“We started the game without one of our key loosies, Andre Mitchell, who was injured last week and could be out for the season,” Hema said.
“But the boys, particularly the two props, Chayse Rurehu and Jeke Fatafai, gave it everything.”
Tapuae first-five Carlos Carroll and halfback Nikau Kaimoana played well behind a depleted pack while King, until he was injured, was outstanding. Despite the injuries, Kapu-Rewi closed the gap with a five-pointer before the experienced Bishop settled the nerves.
Athletic 19 (J Kapene 2, B Bishop tries; K Taylor 2 con).
Tapuae 10 ( Te Kapu-Riwi 2 tries). HT: 14-5.
