“We’ll give it our all.”
Sixteen-year-old fetcher Roddick is, as are the other three, the best type of senior player: one who strives, works as hard off the field as on it.
Gisborne Boys’ High School haven’t tasted victory since Game 2 of their 14-match itinerary, against Wellington College (47-24), and since that away win they have made many good teams sweat, without being able to deliver the killer blow.
Gisborne Boys’ High fought back from 14-0 down against Sacred Heart — a top-tier side in Auckland’s prestigious 1A competition.
They blooded 11 players in the season opener at the Rectory. All of them are better players now, and part of a group brought closer together by their experiences.
McFarlane has had an impact in all three games he’s played in since returning from an injury to his left knee. He has lined up against St Peter’s at under-14 and u15 levels, and in the 33-17 loss to them in Gisborne last year.
“They’re a physical team, similar to Rotorua Boys’ High,” McFarlane said.
“Last year we started well against them and led at halftime, but then we dialled off, and they stepped things up.”
Dylan Hall’s Gisborne Boys’ High team of 2018 had played gutsy rugby to be 17-7 up at the break and while the visitors won that clash 33-17, they had been pushed hard.
St Peter’s, without 13 players who featured in the come-from-behind 31-28 2018 Top 4 final win against Napier Boys’ High, represented New Zealand at the April-May SANIX world rugby championships in Japan. They lost 52-5 to Paul Roos Gymnasium of South Africa in the final.
Tomorrow St Peter’s — placed sixth in the 1A comp — will defend the Torrie Srhoj Cup against Boys’ High. In 2017, they swept all four GBHS teams and last year won the second-15 match 54-22.
“We’re a lot younger and smaller,” long-serving St Peter’s head coach Walter Alvarez said.
“We play quick, expansive rugby. We’re a threat with the ball in hand.”
St Peter’s have won 14 of 19 games this season.
Their captain, hooker Naryan Strickland, might come off the bench tomorrow as a result of an injury to his right shoulder, suffered at the Blues’ u18 camp. Four key players are out with injury and two others have suffered season-ending injuries.
The second-15 (9am, referee Alex Parish), under-15 (10.15am, ref Nigel Clemas) and first-15 (12.30pm, Cody Neilson) games will all be played on the historic St Peter’s ground, the Cage, while the u14 match (9am, Jimmy Bos) is to be played at Auckland Grammar.
GBHS first 15: Jordan McFarlane (c), Amanaki Tonga, Sione Mafileo, Kauri Waitoa, Ofa Tauatevalu, Lochi Mead, Amos Roddick, Nikau Maxwell, Nic Proffit, Ricardo Patricio, TK Reihana, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Matt Proffit, Kirk Ngatai, Braedyn Grant. Reserves: TBC.
GBHS second 15: Nathaniel Hauiti, Matariki Kaa, Isaiah Kiwara, Corban Richter, Tylah Keenan-Phillips, Saylahr Paaka, Sam Twigley, Nik Patumaka, Silas Brown, Bryan Howard, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Von Huata (c), Freedom Lemaua, Jacob Wyllie, Corbyn Peach. Reserves: Reweti Ropiha, Moeaki Mosati, Kapua Thornicroft, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Kirk Ngatai, Te Aotahi Tuhaka, Setefano Tolu.
GBHS under-15s: Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa, Wiremu Maxwell, Zeke Collier, Matiu Anderson, Dylan Bronlund, Reuben Whaitiri, Ben Phelps, Tama Taituha, Israel Fox, Carlos Hihi (c), Izaiah Fox, Xavier Henare, King Maxwell, Hikurangi Reid, John Horua. Reserves: Taimana Teneti, Clevelan Kennedy, Geordie Sawyer, Kaia Gate, Xavier Tuapawa, Uetaha Wanoa.
GBHS u14s: Ratu Nairoroi, Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Simon Hauiti, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Latrell Walker, Kerry Hohepa, Braith Ingram, Lehi Te Hau (c), Angus Henry, Cohen Loffler, Maui Connelly, Trey Bryant, Luka Russell, Chris Tangira, Kaiaio Kerekere-Tangira. Reserves: Simione Latu, Osai Tufunga, Ascha Wells, Edwin Latu, Levi Soto, Brayden Maxwell.
