GBHS take it to PNBHS

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

Gisborne Boys' have known many a wet cold day in Palmerston North.

And they look set for more of the same when they face Palmerston North BHS in their Super 8 opening game tomorrow (midday kick-off).

Gisborne head coach Duane Hihi leads a team who have learned a lot about themselves since 13 players debuted in a 41-0 win against Western Heights High School at Rugby Park in Whakatane on March 19.

“For our boys, it's about executing game plans, enjoying their craft, staying calm and composed but expressing themselves,” said Hihi.

“We'd like to play an expansive game, however, we'll make adjustments if conditions require it.”

Palmerston North beat Gisborne 40-10 at the Rectory last year.

Blindside flanker Dylan Bronlund and second-five Puna Hihi, 14 at the time, scored Gisborne's tries.

Both came from lineout ball won by then vice-captain lock Max Briant.

GBHS will need their returning forwards to step up in the same vein.

Zeke Collier, loosehead prop on that day, is in the second row, while Bronlund will go at it from No.6 again.

Dynamic flanker Ben Phelps is injury-free and is on the bench for his first game since Feilding beat Gisborne 31-0 on May 1.

Puna Hihi and older brother Carlos — Gisborne's first five and co-captain with prop Nathaniel Hauiti — are the only starting backs from this fixture in 2021.

Loosehead prop Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa and halfback Israel Fox have graduated from the bench.

Not one of last year's Palmerston North backline has returned but this would seem to be immaterial:

Under head coach Dan Turnock, they have played fine rugby pre-Super 8, thumping Scots College 47-21 on May 7 and St Patrick's College Town 47-5 a week later.

“We started working in early April and it's gone well,” Turnock said.

“We're still building.”

In the two weeks since Gisborne Boys' lost 39-11 to St Patrick's College Silverstream, refined focus and skills work have been the order of the day.

Gisborne second 15 and under-15s are also in action against their Palmerston North counterparts.

Both games kick off at 9.30am.

Gisborne Boys' High School 1st 15: Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa, Boston Morete, Nathaniel Hauiti (cc), Kaia Gate, Zeke Collier, Dylan Bronlund, Braith Ingram, Reuben Whaitiri, Israel Fox, Carlos Hihi (cc), Luka Russell, Puna Hihi, Xavier Tuapawa, Taimana Teneti, Cohen Loffler. R: Whetu McGhee, Joe Kemp, Ben Phelps, Kaiaio Tangira-Kerekere, Liam Beattie, Izaiah Fox, Hikurangi Reid.

GBHS 2nd 15: Henry Tovio, Josiah Keiaho, Malosi Lufalealo, Eugene Paul, Joe Kemp, Keegan Jooste, Jimmy Moore, Noah Torrance-Cribb (c), Kauri Christie (cc), Te-Reimana Gray, Apirana Kirkpatrick, Xavier Henare, Safin Tuwairua-Brown, Hikurangi Reid. R: Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Levi Cameron, Cody Tarei, Latrelle Walker, Kerry Hohepa, Impala Waipara, Gibson Poi.

GBHS u15s: Simione Falefoau, Jaiah Garrett-Brown, Tomasi Mataele, Malakai Fakahokotau, Rawiri Jones, Logan Bruce, Lykhin Poihipi (c), Amenaki Henoa, James Hamblyn, Phoenix Pardoe-Crosby, Jaydyn Tihore-Edwards, Timuaki Stewart, Jayden De Thier, Storm Henare-Brown, Kahurangi Leach-Waihi. R: Oakley Brown-Terekia, Taran Wilson, Sione Kaliopasi, Felix Sparks, James McKay, Maxwell Kennedy, Sonny Tairakena, Torence Kennedy.