Everyone in to deliver a win

Sure step: Uetaha Wanoa of Gisborne Boys’ High School tries to escape the tackle of a Napier defender last weekend. The first 15 match against Rotorua Boys’ High coming up on home turf will be tough, and both sides are relishing the prospect. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

It is one of the biggest games in a Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 player’s rugby life.

Since June 17, 1995, the rivalry between GBHS and Rotorua has built and been the grittiest measure of those schools’ sporting health.

And while battle in the modern era was first joined with Gisborne’s 11-3 win in defence of the Moascar Cup here 26 years ago, the story of GBHS and Rotorua Boys’ High School is more than that of Raukura’s 23 wins to Gisborne’s 16 in the last quarter-century. It’s more than the one 11-all draw, and more than Tom Cairns’s 2006 side being the only team ever to beat RBHS three times in a season.

The story of GBHS versus RBHS is one of fast, hard rugby every year, and men of the quality of former Rotorua and GBHS first 15 assistant coach, the late Craig Callaghan, an old boy and prefect of RBHS who played at openside flanker for their first 15. His son, Perenu, a GBHS prefect, played rugby and basketball for Gisborne Boys’ High.

Craig Callaghan, whose whakairo (traditional Maori carving) programme won the Prime Minister’s Excellence Award for transformative teaching and learning in 2015, preceded current GBHS first 15 head coach Ryan Tapsell as the Head of Maori at GBHS.

Tapsell followed the man whose drop goal sealed the fate of Raukura at the Rectory in 1995 — Mark Jefferson — as GBHS’ head coach, and while current Moascar Cup holders RBHS will not defend the Ranfurly Shield of New Zealand first 15 rugby against GBHS here tomorrow, neither hosts nor visitors could put a price on the Craig Callaghan Memorial Trophy.

It was first presented at the Rectory in 2019. Raukura seized the day 57-5, and GBHS have yet to raise the taonga (treasure) in triumph.

“Craig was a great role model. He had a wealth of knowledge and gave great advice, in school, work, family, rugby and life,” said Tapsell, whose crew know they had the measure of Napier BHS, 27-20 victors here last Saturday.

“The important thing for us is to remain focused. We can’t have lapses, especially when we have the advantage.”

Gisborne’s line-out worked well against Palmerston North in their Super 8 opener three weeks ago, and in S8 Game 2 it was serviceable, but NBHS tested Gisborne at scrum-time, although at no stage did GBHS captain tighthead prop Nathaniel Hauiti give an inch.

“We know that we have to scrummage well and we’re confident that we can execute on the little things,” said Hauiti.

“We’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”

RBHS captain openside flanker Brooke Mitchell played in the great escape of August 1, 2020 (Rotorua held Gisborne off 20-19) and played on Rectory No.1 at under-15 level two years ago. One of the GBHS try-scorers in their u15s’ 29-15 win — Gisborne’s only win in the four-game fixture that day — was John Horua, who will line up against Tapsell’s unit at second-five for Raukura tomorrow.

Mitchell knows that Gisborne Boys’ High will be no pushover on home soil.

He said: “Our boys are looking forward to this: we can’t wait to get out there because we know we’re in for a battle. GBHS always get up for us, so this should be good.”

Rotorua have made four changes to the line-up that started against Tauranga Boys’ College, and five positional changes. Hooker Sione Tupa has moved to loosehead prop for Tiaki Hutana, and Taine Kolose is the new rake. Lock Bailey Carmichael is in for Tiaki Ngarimu; vice-captain Tamakaimoana Whareaorere has moved from the blindside flank to No.8 for Fakalelei Palelei; and William Florence is the new blindside flanker. Horua has moved out one spot from second-five to centre for Te Hamana Te Aute. Liliano Sabatini comes into the team at second-five. Jericho Yorke has moved from the right-wing to the left — replacing Bless Perese-Elliot — for Waisaki Salabiau.

Gisborne Boys’ have made only one change, with Paraina Davies coming in at centre for Uetaha Wanoa. The hosts are settled in selection and patterns of play.

And while the switch — Carlos Hihi from first-five to fullback for King Maxwell — was a successful one for GBHS v NBHS, No.8 Nik Patumaka and Josh Whyte at second-five are just two of a number of others who have had their moments in the last month. Left-wing Izaiah Fox runs with determination and, like right-wing Siope Fakahokotau, just needs more touches. Fakahokotau's first touch of consequence against Napier produced a 70-metre intercept try.

The GBHS forwards need to carry well: all of their strongest performances were hard-earned up front.

RBHS and TBC have consistently been the strongest first 15s in the Bay of Plenty for close to 30 years, and RBHS have made history in the Super 8 era with powerhouse rugby.

Gisborne’s big men need to step up tomorrow. They need to be organised, react and adjust quickly at kick-off and restarts — strong in the air. Flankers Ben Phelps and Dylan Bronlund, around the fringes, could help tip the balance and get GBHS their first Super 8 win v Rotorua since the 31-20 victory here in 2013.

GBHS second 15 captain second-five Xavier Henare-Brown and his crew are in the mood to play fast, hard rugby despite opening their Super 8 campaign with two losses, to PNBHS (25-8 victors) and Napier (27-0 victors).

GBHS 2nd 15 coach Mark Jefferson said: “RBHS is always a massive challenge. We made errors under pressure last week which we hope to resolve. There are lots of learnings for these young guys at this level.”

The Duane Hihi-coached GBHS u15s are looking forward to their second run at home, having beaten Palmerston North 15-13 on the back of a try to reserve lock Cody Tarei.

The second 15, u15s and u14s are well-worth watching: the second 15 has excellent flankers in Noah Torrance-Cribb and Braith Ingram, u15s first-five Wade Perrett is a lively, skilful playmaker and u14s centre Jayden De Thier is — as with the other Year 9-11 players mentioned — a product of that great GBHS rugby initiative, The Courage Cup.

On Rectory No.1, Heartland referee Damien MacPherson, Royce Maynard and Les Thomas will control the first 15 game from 12.30pm. Thomas will blow the whistle for the under 15s on R1 at 9.30am, Miah Nikora will be on R1 for the second 15s come 11am. Terry Reeves will referee the u14s on R2 at 9.30am.

Zeke Collier, Matariki Kaa, Nathaniel Hauiti (c), Matiu Anderson, Max Briant (v), Dylan Bronlund, Ben Phelps, Nik Patumaka, Kyran Russell, King Maxwell, Izaiah Fox, Josh Whyte, Paraina Davies, Siope Fakahokotau, Carlos Hihi. R: Reweti Ropiha, Paul Tovio, Charlie Mathias, Karlos Howe, Uetaha Wanoa, Taimana Teneti, Puna Hihi, Hayze Nepia.

Sione Tupou, Taine Kolose, Ethan Jonas, Bailey Carmichael, Liam Kalan, William Florence, Brooke Mitchell (c), Tamakaimoana Whareaorere (v), Ngakete George, Kees Van Der Heyden, Jericho Yorke, Liliano Sabatini, John Horua, Waisaki Salabiau, Tome Poona. R: Tiaki Hutana, Tuatai Curtis, Tiaki Ngarimu, Hamm Troy, Te Hamana Te Aute, Jai Tamati, Bless Perese-Elliot.

Hayze Nepia, Paul Tovio, Tupuhi Gardner, Joe Kemp, Daniel Tamanui, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Braith Ingram, Reuben Whatiri, Kauri Christie, Kaiaio Tangira, Lachie Falloon, Xavier Henare-Brown (c), Silas Brown, Dante Kirkpatrick, Hawaiiki Tu Nepe. R: Josiah Keiaho, Dass Latu, Lathaniel Niwa-Karakia, Kaia Gate, Cohen Loffler.

Poutama Mackey-Te Rangi Pumamao, Rimoni Apo, Lio Sagato, Max Hutchings, Jaden Marra (c), Taumanu Walker, Troy Hamm, Duval Robinson, Calan Wiremu, Maloni Kunawave, Malakai Cama (v), Matiu Hepi-Ritete, Image Te Pania, Riley Korzelius, Kody Betham. R: Sairusi Ravidu, Leeshaye Orono-Te Huia, Todd Storey, Takakopiri Whareaorere, Ryan Elliott, Hohepa Kokiri.

Malosi Luafalealo, Tyrese Nikola, Whetu McGhee, Eugene Paul (v), Zion Birch, Will Rouse, Maia Campbell, Luke Bidois, Liam Beattie (c), Wade Perrett, Tyrese Thomas, Kelan Bryant, Api Kirkpatrick, Timuaki Stewart, Torence Kennedy. R: Bekko Page, Simione Falefoou, Cody Tarei, Karlos Howe, Kalani Ensor, Sol O’Connor, Puna Hihi.

Noah Beckham, Wheronui Peri, Lahni-Che Parete-Kereopa, Tauwhare Monaghan, Jason Dorreen, Turiokahu Rakuraku-White, Marrick Purcell (c), Jet Te Aho, Wiremu Brailey, Te Kahurangi Kiel, Tavita Pomale, Leon Edmonds (v), Kael Merriman, Decoder Waiti, Josiah Graham. R: Dayton Brooking, Jarod Breen, Titoko Rogers, Jakob Constable, Troy Edwardson.

Tomasi Mataele, Mano Tavake, Kane Soto, Rawiri Jones, Kyan Ayton, Frazor Wainohu, Lykhin Poihipi (c), Te Marangai Lamont-Milner, James Hamblyn, Phoenix Pardoe-Crosby (v), Jaxon Mackey, Manaia Reeves, Jayden De Thier, Christian Hihi-Taare, Kahurangi Leach-Waihi. R: Jaiah Garrett-Kora, Oakley Brown-Terekia, Tahu Mackey, Sam Gaddum, Logan Bruce, Maxwell Kennedy, Impala Waipere, Sonny Tairakena.

Jasper Dobson, Toria Koopu, Cody Renata, Hunter Weaver (c), Charles Butler, Kaydis Hallett, Oscar Gibson (v), AJ Smally-Huch, Kraig Tuhaka, Tukotahi Richards-Te Whau (v), Luke Rakuraku, Zinadarne Taumata-Niania-Taputoro, Charles Butler, Arthur Pep Chisholm, Jacksyn Hill, Toby Hurihanganui. R: Manaia Christiansen, Harlym McCabe, Dante Hansen, Te Whetuki Hohepa-Barrett, Kenneth Ingram, Kallum Kiel, Finlay Gibson.