East Coast win schools’ under-18 rugby final

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

East Coast beat Gisborne Boys’ High School under-15s 37-15 to win the Fulton Hogan secondary schools’ under-18 rugby final at Waikirikiri Park.

“We’re proud of these boys — they have a good attitude and they wanted this game,” Coast coach Jesse Haenga said.

“Boys’ High are a well-structured side who forced us to defend. Full credit to their coaches for the awesome job they’re doing with Gisborne youth.”

The Coast’s player of the day, left wing Romeo Newey-Schumann, scored twice, while right wing Ihaia Te Purei, centre Quentin Takarangi, fullback William Martin and blindside flanker Weihana Delamere crossed for a try each. Halfback Hone Manuel kicked one conversion.

For Gisborne Boys’ High School, first five-eighth Anaru Paenga-Morgan grabbed a double, with player of the day and loosehead prop Kitini Taihuka scoring their third try.

The Coast led 17-10 at the break in a match of end-to-end rugby played at pace. The experienced visitors set the tempo. Yet while their 6ft 4in lock Kyah Hollis won good lineout ball, so, too, did Boys’ High captain Lochi Mead, who played No.8 on attack and openside flanker when defending.

“They were bigger up front and their scrum pushed us back — they had the ball, so we went hard in the tackle,” said Mead, whose opposite — Coast captain and tighthead prop Porourangi Nepia-Poutu — was delighted by his team’s performance, considering the logistics of communication, player numbers and travel.

“The u18 grade is really important for people our age who aren’t yet ready to make the big leap up to playing senior club rugby,” Nepia-Poutu said.

“As to the game (and our not being able to always get everyone together to train), the boys’ raw skill and teamwork won it for us.”