“Every team did a haka before the game and every game was hard-as-nails on the field, but there was a really good spirit with all the teams throughout the whole weekend.
“Among the spectators were Kiwis Jordan Rapana and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, there to support their whanau teams.
“Ex-Kiwi and Warriors player Kevin Locke turned out for Auckland Maori in the Rohe division of the tournament.”
Te Tairawhiti, under the umbrella of Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League, lost 44-6 to Tuhoe Ki Tamaki in their first game at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, followed by a 38-16 loss to Watene Ki Hauraki that afternoon.
On the Sunday, Te Tairawhiti met the full force of eventual Waka division winners Te Puaha-O-Waikato, who won 58-0.
“The games were hard and fast but we gave it a crack,” Brown said.
“The boys loved handling the ball and running with it.
“We played quick teams like Puaha, and big teams like Watene Hauraki, who had six-foot-four, 125-kilogram forwards, who ran hard and straight.
“Our halfback, Jimmy-Lee Hongara, never took a backward step defensively.
“Eru Wharerau, who had never played league before, carried the ball strongly, along with stalwart Dan, who turned 37 on Sunday.
“Benji Tuwairua, Thomas Wharerau, Witana Wharerau, Stephen Blake, Keanu Barbarich, Wayne Hema and I worked tirelessly in the forwards to make metres and to contain our opposition.
“Bailey Ngarangione, Paaka Babbington, Nate Tamatea and Shyann Wyllie played consistently in the backs. Tyla Henare and my boy Rylan (Tuwairua-Brown) were strong on defence in the centres.
“Raydon Kemp-Gordon, on the left wing, and fullback Christy Stuart ran with flair and speed, Te Ohu Hohepa played well in the halves for us and our captain was our confrontational hooker, Te Ahu-Kawana Baker.
“Some of our guys are great rugby players but now they’ve got a newfound respect for rugby league.
“All our players did what was asked of them and in the short time we had to prepare, that’s all we could have asked.
“But to compete at this level we need to play more rugby league and prepare better. The teams we were playing play year-round.
“We only trained twice in the week leading up to the tournament.”
Brown said the team were grateful for the efforts of their managers, Wanita Tuwairua-Brown and Ally Tamihere.
He also thanked their families and sponsors Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Turanga Health, the NZ Lottery Commission and Kaea Media.
“We’re keen to go back next year, regardless of results.”
NZ Maori Rugby League chairman John Devonshire said it was great to see two teams from Gisborne — Te Tairawhiti and Tairawhiti Maori — at the tournament.
“They’re a proud district with great advocates for rugby league,” he said.
“Their participation is pivotal for the growth of the game in Gisborne. We want their growth to be sustainable and ongoing.”
