Gisborne BHS out to crack tough nut

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

Never has the idea of playing a Super 8 game at the Rectory been so popular.

Gisborne Boys’ High School have played three good teams away from home in that competition since the season opener on May 28. On that day, Palmerston North prevailed 22-10, a fortnight ago Napier held out to win 24-17 and on Saturday Rotorua won 36-11.

Napier retained the Football Challenge Cup and Rotorua remain the only holders of the Craig Callaghan Memorial Trophy to date, but up for grabs tomorrow at 12 midday, when GBHS play Hastings on Rectory No.1, will be the Norman McConnell Cup.

The history, memory, time, place and experience represented by trophies give them their value, not the mere wording of record on the silver. Gisborne Boys’ High School’s last game at home was the 58-minute, 54-0, eight-try victory over St John’s College of Hastings on June 4.

Tomorrow’s opponents will be much tougher.

Hastings (or Akina, as they are also known) beat GBHS 65-0 on June 25 last year and were 2021 Super 8 finalists.

Although Hastings were pipped at the post, 13-12, by Palmerston North at PNBHS in Game 1 two weeks ago, their last result was a 25-14 win at home against Napier.

Under their 2019 Top 4-winning head coach Tafi Ioasa, they are well-led by halfback Jehmial Ross. Ross was on the bench here in 2020. Vikta Tavita was on the bench here two years ago and is a reserve again tomorrow. Only Aone Lolofie, loosehead prop here in 2019 and now hooker, remains from the Akina starting 15 beaten 17-5 by GBHS under Amos Roddick here on August 8, 2020 — Gisborne’s last win in the fixture. GBHS head coach Duane Hihi is clear on what needs to happen: “We must maintain discipline — be accurate consistently in what we do — to stay in the fight for the full 70 minutes.”

The GBHS under-14 and u15 games against Hastings will kick off tomorrow at 9.15am at School Road Reserve and Rectory No.2 respectively. The second 15 will play Akina at 10.30am on Rectory No.2.

Gisborne BHS first 15: Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa, Boston Morete, Nathaniel Hauiti (co-captain), Joe Kemp, Zeke Collier, Kaia Gate, Braith Ingram, Reuben Whaitiri, Israel Fox, Carlos Hihi (co-captain), Luka Russell, Puna Hihi, Xavier Tuapawa, Taimana Teneti, King Maxwell. Reserves: Whetu McGhee, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Latrell Walker, Luke Bidois, Liam Beattie, Izaiah Fox, Cohen Loffler.

HASTINGS BHS: Isireli Qaranivalu, Aone Lolofie, Maiti Leef, Oscar Ritchie, Josh Leach, Fletcher Bainbridge, Rudy Ioasa, Matolu Petaia, Jehmial Ross (captain), Kobe Deacon, Mokau Lambert, Tali Ioasa, Heta Tulima, Taufa Kaufononga, Bryson Crawford-Pakoti. Reserves: Membrenz Tahu, Vikta Tevita, Shane McNaughten, Tom Allen, Reuben Allen, Noah Ioasa, Kyan Lowe.