The Gisborne team’s style of play on attack is still being refined. Hihi wants his team to finish games strongly — after the win against Wellington College, he highlighted that as a “work-on” — but slow starts won’t do either.
“Our aim is to keep building our game and gaining confidence in our systems, and to foster belief in ourselves and each other — to play the full 70 minutes,” Hihi said.
Stream first-year head coach Mitchell Forbes’s side is coming off a sizeable loss and he knows Gisborne Boys’ High rugby by reputation.
“We’re aware of their history, achievements and strengths,” said Forbes, who has worked with the college’s teams for eight years and has had four sons go through the school.
“Our boys expect Gisborne to be physical and direct, so we need to play smart rugby to be competitive.
“We are humbled to be on the same field as teams like the Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 and we intend to embrace both the opportunity and the occasion.”
The man with the whistle will be Hawke’s Bay premier referee and top game manager Jordan Cameron, 49, an electrician by trade. He controlled Taradale versus Clive last Saturday.
