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Home / Gisborne Herald / Sport

Coast fight hard against Horowhenua-Kapiti

Gisborne Herald
18 Mar, 2023 08:27 AMQuick Read

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A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

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BATTLERS of the first order — the East Coast under-18 rugby team — fought hard in a 33-0 loss to Horowhenua-Kapiti at Levin on Saturday.

The Coast competed hard in every phase.

Coast lock and most valuable player (MVP) Manaia Taitapanui-Collins had an excellent all-round game, while prop Anton King led the scrummaging effort and halfback Cruz Hinaki gave good service with his sharp passing.

East Coast co-captain Liam Townsend said there was a lot of feeling in the game and it was “very physical”.

“Anton (King) ran the ball up straight and (openside flanker) Chase (Sheridan) made some good hits. Chase and our pack were always working. They went after everything.”

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Coast coach Morgan Wirepa junior said the turnaround from the Wellington Catholic Colleges game was short but the pace of the game was still “very fast”.

“Our boys are learning a huge amount about the game,” he said.

“Their scrum and lineout are improving. They’re developing in all areas.”

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Horowhenua-Kapiti halfback Paora Connor-Phillips scored two tries, while captain and hooker Liam Tooman, lock Jack Sturmey and centre Rikeli Grey scored a try each.

Fullback Arana Murphy kicked four conversions.

First five-eighth Sean Pape turned in a sensational performance as MVP for the home team, who led 21-0 at halftime.

“They’re bigger than we are but our set-piece play won it for us,” Horowhenua-Kapiti coach Mark Tooman said.

“We started hard and fast with pick-and-go plays around the ruck to ensure good quick ball for our backs.

“Our No.8, Angus Baker, jumping at No.2 in the lineout, won a lot of ball.

“It was a tough battle. Their 6 (Manahi Brooking) and 7 (Sheridan) tackled really well and their 15 (Tipene Meihana) was sensational on counter-attack.”

Horowhenua-Kapiti captain Liam Tooman, Year 13, will spend the next three months in England playing rugby at Plymouth College.

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“It was brutal,” he said.

“Both teams really wanted it.

“What we did well was get into our structure early and carry the ball at holes. The Coast forwards brought a lot of muscle but we executed well under pressure and kept a clear head. That’s what we had to do.”

The game was controlled by Wellington referee Colin Te Pohe.

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