Challenge Cup at stake in Super 8 clash

GRABBED: Gisborne Boys’ High School first five-eighth Nic Proffit tries to break the tackle of two St Peter’s College players in the traditional interschool fixture at the Rectory field last Saturday. St Peter’s won the game 21-10. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

Super 8 rugby kicks off tomorrow.

And for Ryan Tapsell-coached Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 — whose opening game is away to Napier Boys’ High for the Football Challenge Cup — it is their first true test.

“Our whole pre-season was about getting all of our boys game-time — to run various combinations, see what works and what doesn’t,” Tapsell said.

“Against St Peter’s College here we got a taste of what we’re capable of. This weekend we’re missing hooker Setefano Tolu (right shoulder) and reserve blindside flanker/No.8 Uetaha Wanoa (left knee) but we’re up for a big one.

“We trust our processes and the boys work hard for each other. We’ve given ourselves a chance.”

Gisborne Boys’ High captain and openside flanker Amos Roddick and his teammates are prepared for all eventualities.

Roddick says the closeness of his players and their intention to give their greatest effort will be proved.

Napier head coach and director of rugby Brendon Ratcliffe is passionate about his team and their culture.

He said: “Your Gisborne coaches are building the unspoken. What spins your wheels as a coach is working with young men on how they behave, their substance, that spirit — it’s immeasurable.

“Watch how they get back up off the ground, get together, to defend their try-line. That’s the good stuff.

“The result will look after itself. As coaches, we do it for the love of the game.”

While Napier have lost eight Year 13 players from 2019, their wins against Lindisfarne College (20-19) and St Paul’s Collegiate School (29-17) under captain and hooker Will Robinson suggest they respond well under pressure.

Their 29-23 loss to Feilding High School in Feilding last Sunday puts Gisborne Boys’ High School’s 28-10 loss to Feilding on July 3 in perspective.

GBHS were winless in the 2019 Super 8, Napier’s 22-19 win against Gisborne at the Rectory here being their only win. Napier were placed sixth and GBHS eighth last season. Hamilton beat Hastings 13-5 in the final to be champions.

The old Gisborne High School Board presented the Football Challenge Cup in 1915 — Napier beat Gisborne High School 26-6 here that year.

Gisborne last beat Napier in 2015, when they held the the trophy with a 36-12 victory in Gisborne. Napier took the trophy with a 22-16 win at Napier the following year.

Of the games between the schools, Gisborne have won 57 and Napier, 38. Five have been drawn.

Kick-off in the first-15 match at Napier Boys’ High School tomorrow is at 12 midday.

The second-15 match — also on Napier Boys’ High No.1 field — starts at 10.30am.

The first-15 match will be refereed by former ITM Cup official Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri, who controlled the famous 2012 Meads Cup final in Ruatoria in which the Coast came from 27-3 down to beat Wanganui 29-27. His second assistant referee will be Deveraux Short-Henare and his first assistant will be second-15 referee Max Lancaster.

Sione Mafileo, Matariki Kaa, Nathaniel Hauiti, Dylan Bronlund, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Nik Patumaka, Amos Roddick (captain), Khian Westrupp, Kirk Ngatai, Nic Proffit, Corbyn Peach, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Vincent Huata, Whetu King-Taufa, King Maxwell. Reserves: Kitini Taihuka, Max Briant, Zeke Collier, Sam Twigley, Kyran Russell, Isaiah Lemaua, Bryan Howard.