Last year at Lindisfarne, Gisborne showed that early in the season or no, they could run, in a 47-10 win.
The first game between the teams, in 1996, was a 38-16 win to GBHS at Rugby Park as the curtain-raiser to Poverty Bay’s unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge v Auckland at Rugby Park.
Former All Black Rico Gear scored three tries for Gisborne Boys’ that day.
Former Hastings BHS first 15 coach Karl Jones — in charge of Lindisfarne for the last four years — saw another former All Black Charlie Ngatai and Hurricane Blade Thomson, at their best and knows that GBHS will be tough to beat at home.
“Last year, the Gisborne forwards were great across the ground, they defended well — and they like to score tries,” said Jones.
Lindisfarne second-five George Twigley — like his GBHS opposite, tighthead prop Jordan McFarlane — is a 17-year-old captain. McFarlane is immensely powerful and determined that his team will perform.
“It’s an honour to be selected, and lead the team,” said McFarlane, who played under two fine skippers in Quade Tapsell and Dylan Hall.
“I’m excited and so are the boys — we can’t wait to get out there and show what we’re capable of.”
Lindisfarne has an all Y13 tight five but Boys’ High have some superb forwards — a genuine ball-winner at the line-out in lock Ofa Tauatevalu and a tough-as-nails openside flanker in Amos Roddick. He is a ferocious fetcher.
In team sport, singling players out is not always the done thing but GBHS second-five Niko Lauti is undeniably a dangerous player, while the presence of Setefano Tolu, Kitini Taihuka and other such experienced quality players on the bench speaks to this being a capable Gisborne team.
The man in charge of the first 15 fixture is two-time Poverty Bay club grand final referee Royce Maynard, while at 11.30am Oliver Hoist (PB) will control the second 15 match.
GISBORNE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL FIRST XV: Nikau Maxwell, Amanaki Tonga, Jordan McFarlane, Tiaan Barbara-Hei, Kauri Waitoa, Ofa Tauatevalu, Amos Roddick, Khian Westrupp, Nic Proffitt, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, TK Reihana, Niko Lauti, Poumana Gemmell, Matthew Proffitt, Braedyn Grant. Reserve players: Setefano Tolu, Sione Mafileo, Kitini Taihuka, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Lochi Mead, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Campbell Hall, Whetu King-Taufa, Kirk Ngatai.
GISBORNE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL SECOND XV: Isaiah Kiwara, Reweti Ropiha, Nathaniel Hauiti, Saylahr Paaka, Nik Patumaka, Sam Twigley, Jackson McDonald, Adam Whibley (c), Benito Barry, Vonn Huata, Caleb Billington, Adrian Wharehinga-MacDonald, Lyric Baty-Akurangi, Mikaere Marino-moore, Bryan Howard. Reserve players: Moeaki Mosati, Matariki Kaa, Kahu Cooper, Harlee Kohn, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Ricardo Patricio, Kahu Whaitiri-Te Miha, Karauria Whaitiri-Te Miha.
LINDISFARNE COLLEGE FIRST XV: Ben Thomassen, Felix Paul, George Vea, Kurtis Arlidge, Oscar Goodman, Jordy Douglas, Josh Tomlinson, Tino Savea, Pierre Sokotaua, Harry Mowat, James Buckeridge, George Twigley (c), Charlie Dods, Reece Akuhata, Matawhero Wakefield-Sciascia. Reserve players: Sam Horsefield, Tom Klinginder, Ben Gibbs, Harry Stephenson, Fred Mowat, Lewis Pettiford, Kingshouse Tupuola.
LINDISFARNE COLLEGE SECOND XV: Harry Lowry, Bruno Wylie, Jono Kilsby, Harry Stevenson, Riley Douglas, Jake Lorkin, Flynn Kittow, Tamaiawhitia Hokianga, Bryn Thompson, Tom Goodison, George Geary, Phoenix Dagg, Finn Calder, Fischer Davis, Lewis Pettiford (c). Reserve players: Fergus Jull, Toi Smith-Dunlop, Te Manapo Meihana, Hugo Quiros, Ben White, George Hamilton, George Newman.
