Putnam, the team’s regular hooker, was supposed to have a rest after a heavy workload this season and a corked thigh, but was forced into action as a loosie.
Tipoki has been out of action with an ankle injury since the King’s College game here two weeks ago while Teneti fractured his cheekbone in a collision in training last week.
“It was an unfortunate collision in a non-contact drill and we took Jakob straight to hospital,” Cairns said.
“Without Naera and Jakob, Quade Tapsell took over as captain and led the team well. At this stage it’s a case of wait and see if Jakob will be back before the end of the season.
“Tame is also out for a while with a fractured ankle but we’re hoping to have Naera back for this weekend’s round of the Hurricanes festival.
Gisborne is hosting the third and final round of the festival at the Rectory field. There will be four matches including Gisborne’s clash with Wellington College, which will be screened live on Sky TV.
“We’re hoping for a big crowd to make it a spectacle, not only for television but to promote the region. Some of the best schoolboy players in the country will be here — future Super Rugby and possibly All Blacks — and if we get a good turnout it improves our chances of hosting these games.
“Although it is a pre-season competition, with nothing on it, all the teams are sizing each other up in preparation for their own seasons and the Hurricanes playoffs in August.”
Cairns watched “a fair bit of the first half” of Wellington College’s game against Napier, which Wellington won 21-19.
“Wellington have a very good pack,” he said. “They’ll be another challenge for us but the boys are looking forward to it.”
In Saturday’s game against St Pat’s in the capital, the home side took advantage of Gisborne’s injury issues to grab a 14-0 early lead.
Midfielder Nathan Rangihuna started the fightback with a try, then prop Jarryd Broughton crashed over close to the posts.
Moses Christie took over the kicking role from Brown and closed the deficit to two points heading into the break.
“We had the better of the second half but St Pat’s capitalised on our mistakes to go 28-12 up,” said Cairns.
“When Austin went off injured we moved Jimmy Hongara from halfback to first five and he kept us in the right end of the field.
“The boys showed great character to come back and score three tries to win.
“Colby was outstanding. His second try, with two minutes to go, came after we were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch.
“Gabe Te Kani, who is playing great rugby, won clean ball and Colby was driven over. Moses kicked the conversion and we held on as St Pat’s came back at us.”
Cairns said while it was a superb team performance, Putnam, Tapsell, Te Kani and Rangihuna were outstanding.
“Sione Ki-Niua, who normally plays lock, started at blindside and played well.”
