Basics key to success for Bay u-16s

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE little things make a difference. That’s what Poverty Bay under-16 rugby coach Tuki Sweeney took out of his side’s 26-7 loss to Manawatu at Wanganui Collegiate yesterday.

“With the strong westerly wind, handling was a factor,” Sweeney said.

“Our set-piece play — both scrum and lineout — was good but today a few passes didn’t go to hand. We’re playing Manawatu again, in the third/fourth playoff at 9.30am on Thursday. If we get the basics right, we can beat them.”

The Bay trailed 14-0 at halftime but drew blood after the break with a try to fullback Campbell Hall. First five-eighth Matt Proffit converted.

For Manawatu, lock Trevor Shane Baker, blindside flanker Cody Kirkpatrick-Smith, second-five Brooklyn Herewini and fullback Toroa Rapana scored tries, and Herewini kicked three conversions.

Manawatu captain and No.8 Nikora Broughton was — like Poverty Bay openside flanker Dylan Hall — his team’s MVP (most valuable player).

Dylan Hall has shown great determination and skill since injuring his left knee at training three weeks ago. Broughton’s support play was of a high standard and his coach, Potene Paewai, also saw great potential in some Poverty Bay players.

“Their lock (Isaiah Booth) was good value around the park, their first-five (Proffit) is a superb organiser and their second-five (Niko Lauti) was elusive,” Paewai said.

“It was a scrappy game with lots of errors and turnovers. Neither team could get much rhythm because the wind made conditions tough.”

Both possession and field position were shared 50-50.

Manawatu were coming off a 13-10 loss to Hawke’s Bay, and they had lost 59-10 to Wellington in Round 1. The win against Poverty Bay was their first in the tournament.

Sweeney, a former Poverty Bay club grand final referee, had high praise for Wellington official Jordan Price: “He never missed anything. He was consistent and he’s a good communicator.”

Team coaches had the opportunity today to attend an upskilling and development clinic with Hurricanes staff members Darren Larsen, Richard Watt and Dan Cron.

Sweeney said it was a chance to learn more so that not just skills but also awareness of nutrition and other off-field contributors to performance could be passed on.