“Both teams were playing structured rugby,” Poverty Bay coach Tuki Sweeney said.
“Wellington were bigger than us but our tighthead prop Sione Mafileo had a really strong game at the scrum and when starting lock Amos Roddick — normally a flanker — came off, No.8 Keanu Wainohu-Kemp joined Isaiah Booth in the second row.
“Isaiah tackled strongly and Keanu won a lot of lineout ball.
Our MVP (most valuable player) and captain, openside flanker Dylan Hall, led by example with his commitment in defence, and the overall effort from our boys was outstanding.”
Wellington coach Willie Leota said of his team, who were well led by captain and hooker Geordie Bean: “Riley Higgins-De La Rambelje scored a hat-trick from fullback — he was our MVP — and No.8 Jeremiah Tuiatua was the dominant forward.
“It wasn’t a pretty game for us, we played OK in patches, but to win ugly is not a bad thing — especially at this stage of the tournament.”
The game was well controlled by Hawke’s Bay referee Amon Rimene.
POVERTY BAY 12 (Niko Lauti, Braedyn Grant tries; Matt Proffit con).
WELLINGTON 46 (Riley Higgins-De La Rambelje 3, Sam Champion, Ropati So’oalo, Cassius Misa, Geordie Bean, Sam Shaw-Tait tries; Misa 2 con, Rocco Berry con).