‘Discipline will be the key’

ON THE BURST: Gisborne Boys’ High School left wing TK Reihana bursts through a tackle in the game against Palmerston North Boys’ High School last month. Reihana will line up against Rotorua Boys’ High in a Super 8 match at the Rectory ground tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

It’s one of the juiciest rivalries in Super 8.

Since Mark Jefferson’s first 15 beat Rotorua Boys’ High School 11-3 here at the Rectory in 1995 to defend the Moascar Cup, the Gisborne BHS-RBHS clash has become an epic.

Jefferson, now head coach of GBHS, is at the helm of a hardworking unit who — having been edged out by Palmerston North (32-25) and Napier (21-19) — have every reason to fire in tomorrow’s game on the Rectory ground at 12.30pm.

“Discipline will be the key — we can’t give them easy exits from their own end of the ground,” he said.

“We’ve just got to play smart, stay in the fight, win the key moments.”

Gisborne Boys’ game-day captain will be centre Niko Lauti but returning to the fray tomorrow, from the reserves bench (for the first time in seven weeks), will be their skipper v Lindisfarne College and Kelston BHS: strongman Jordan McFarlane. He knows what’s required.

“Everyone is keen,” said McFarlane.

“To beat Rotorua, we have to match their dominance. They will be big, they will be strong.”

Unfortunately GBHS will be without former stand-in captain blindside flanker Khian Westrupp — regarded by Jefferson as the best forward on the park for much of the season to date — due to injury. Sixteen-year-old Lochi Mead will start at No.6 with tough fetcher Amos Roddick and powerful Nikau Maxwell the eightman.

Nic Proffit had an excellent game starting at halfback v Napier; Game 2 of the S8 this season saw the home team yet again fight for 70 minutes.

Success breeds confidence and a win v RBHS would provide that in big, well-deserved dollops.

Under Ngati Porou East Coast’s 2012 Meads Cup-winning player-coach Ngarimu Simpkins, the Rotorua first 15 began their Super 8 campaign this season with a 29-13 win v Tauranga Boys’ College at Raukura last Thursday.

The RBHS 2nd 15 also beat TBC 29-10, and though there might have been some debate about the final score in last weekend’s 2nd 15 fixture here (43-19 to Napier as opposed to 38-19), GBHS 2nds’ coach Graeme Newlands regarded that showing as his boys’ best of the season so far. And the GBHS under 15s (9.30am on Rectory No.1) or u14s (9.30am, R2) are also well-coached, organised and ready to go. The second 15 will be on R1 at 11am.

The referees for tomorrow’s games will be Matt Smith (1st 15s), Aaron Brown (2nd 15s), Royce Maynard (u15s) and Adam Tapsell (u14s).

GBHS 1st 15: Amanaki Tonga, Setefano Tolu, Sione Mafelio, Ofa Tauatevalu, Kauri Waitoa, Lochi Mead, Amos Roddick, Nikau Maxwell, Nic Proffit, Ricardo Patricio, TK Reihana, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Niko Lauti (captain), Matt Proffit, Braedyn Grant. Reserves: Nathaniel Hauiti, Jordan McFarlane, Nik Patumaka, Jackson McDonald, Kirk Ngatai, John Horua, Whetu King-Taufa.

RBHS 1st 15: Haruto Takahashi, Bernie Hati (c), Zach Ririnui, Te Ahurei Epapara, Scott Leone, Stuart Leach, Nikki Jacobs, Tamakaimoana Whareaorere, Kane O’Connor, Tome Poona, Te Hemara Gardiner-Toi, Carlos Karaitiana, Manu Paea, Manu Akauola, Ceiza James. Reserves: Jack Henry, Brett Henry, Hemopo Cunningham, Dayna Bidois, Nirai Ririnui, Jayden Kingi, Kalem Strickland.

GBHS 2nd 15: Reweti Ropiha, Matariki Kaa, Moeaki Mosati, Tylah Keelan-Phillips, Sam Twigey, Adam Whibley (c), Jackson McDonald, Nik Patumaka, Karauria Whaitiri-Te Miha, Bryan Howard, Lyric Baty-Akurangi, Von Huata (vc), Adrian Wharehinga-McDonald, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Te Aotahi Tuhaka. Reserves: Isaiah Kiwara, Sitiveni Taulautala, Saylahr Paaka, Kirk Ngatai, Caleb Billington, Kahu Whaitiri-Te Miha.

GBHS u15s: Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa, Wiremu Maxwell, Uetaha Wanoa (vc), 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: Zeke Collier, Taimana Teneti, Clevelan Kennedy, Geordie Sawyer, Kaia Gate, Xavier Tuapawa, Steven Huata.

GBHS u14s: Henry Shanks, Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Levi Soto, Osai Tufunga, Latrell Walker, Brayden Maxwell, Braith Ingram, Te Akau Hills, Kauri Christie, Te-Reimana Gray, Gibson Poi, Lehi Te Hau (c), Luka Russell, Maui Connelly, Kaiaio Kerekere-Tangira. Reserves: Edwin Latu, Simione Latu, Kerry Hohepa, Ascha Wells, Angus Henry, Cohen Loffler, Chris Tangira.