Gisborne Boys’ High aim to end on a high

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

“If we can make it to the ground, we'll take the next chance — and the next — on and on until we win, or the chances are spent.”

So said Jynn Erso in Rogue 1: a Star Wars story and so it is for the Gisborne Boys' High School first 15, 14 members of whose squad — in what has so far been a second winless year at Super 8 level — will play their last game for the team against Tauranga Boys' College for the Kane Trophy here on Rectory ground no.1 at 12 midday tomorrow.

GBHS head coach Duane Hihi's side has faced two of the best teams in the country in the last fortnight: St Peter's College of Epsom — who with 8 wins in 8 games are unbeaten leaders of the Auckland A1 first 15 competition — and five-times Super 8 defending champions, with 6 from 6, Hamilton Boys.

“This week, we handed the reigns to our leadership group: the coaches took a step back. The core group of boys, led by our captain first-five Carlos Hihi, planned and prepared for the week,” said Hihi senior.

“It's about their enjoying the moment for one last time, having finished the job.”

Gisborne have one competition point, TBC have 11 with two wins in six games. On August 7 last year, TBC swept GBHS at Nicholson Field 54-0 (first 15), 31-5 (2nd 15), 40-7 (u15s) and 33-26 (u14s). In 2020 here, TBC won the first 15 fixture 29-24 but the current GBHS vice-captain, now starting blindside flanker Dylan Bronlund, played in the farewell match of that campaign v New Plymouth — an 18-17 win to send then-skipper Amos Roddick and six other black-and-red patriots out on a high note.

Local fans can rest assured that Bronlund will do everything possible to send the departing 14 members of the team of 2022 out on a high note.

Head coach Hihi has made personnel changes, with Cohen Loffler replacing Luka Russell on the left-wing, King Maxwell dropping back to his favoured position at fullback for Xavier Tuapawa at centre. Loffler had started in jersey no.15 for last Saturday's Moascar Cup challenge v HBHS at HBHS.

GBHS must keep closer tabs on TBC loosehead prop Jack Anderson — who as reserve hooker scored two tries against them off the bench at Nicholson Field last year — and their Most Valuable Player in the fixture, Matt Stewart, who will again line up at second-five.

TBC's second-year head coach Aidan Kuka described the 2021 instalment as their team performance of the year, and in relation to tomorrow's match, said: “We've had a mixed season, winning three from three on our tour of the South Island, also beating Dilworth College 40-12, Westlake BHS 28-21 and drew 26-all against Kelston BHS.

“As always, Tauranga v Gisborne is the last Super 8 game for our students leaving school at the end of the year. I expect to see emotion and passion.”

The four-game exchange with Tauranga will also include the under 14 side on Rectory 2 and u15s on R1, both matches set for a 9.15am start. The second 15 fixture on R1 kicks off at 10.30am - the GBHS 2nd 15 (14 competition points) led by No.8 Noah Torrance-Cribb, currently sit in fifth place. A win v TBC (20 points) on Saturday would be Gisborne's fourth: a great note on which to finish the season.

The Trevor Crosby-coached GBHS u15s scored 10 tries in their season opener against Whakatane High School, score 52-36, March 19 on R2. GBHS also won the rematch 36-26 at WHS. They beat the Trident High School u16s 55-7 at Rugby Park in Whakatane and 39-19 in the April 8 rematch on R2.

Richard Brown and Josh Maynard's u14s play their last home game of the year tomorrow, and returning to GBHS with TBC will be men well-versed in the historic rivalry: u14s coach Grant Marshall led TBC to Super 8 victory 23-7 v GBHS in the Super 8 final at Nicholson in 1999, while the TBC second 15 is under GBHS old boy Regan Ward.

GBHS: Zeke Collier, Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa, Whetu McGhee, Joe Kemp, Kaia Gate, Dylan Bronlund, Braith Ingram, Reuben Whaitiri, Israel Fox, Carlos Hihi (c), Cohen Loffler, Puna Hihi, Xavier Tuapawa, Taimana Teneti, King Maxwell. R: Josiah Keiaho, Nathaniel Hauiti, Latrell Walker, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Liam Beattie, Kaiaio Tangira-Kerekere, Izaiah Fox.

Tauranga Boys' College: Jack Anderson, Cody Pentacost, Faauma Kupita, Reuben Palmer (c), Sam Dyer, Aisake Vakasiuola, James Haua, Fa'angavalu Hammond, Robert Veale, Kase Mayer, Piripi Tapsell, Matt Stewart, Landen Monks, Dylan Henderson, Sam Dowling. R: Christian Sauni, Trent Ririnui, Hohepa Chandler, Aidan Spratley, Gideon Lasaqa, Reef Newdick, Noah Johnstone.

GBHS: Malosi Lufalealo, Josiah Keiaho, Henry Tovio, Eugene Paul, Latrell Walker, Keegan Jooste, Jimmy Moore, Noah Torrance-Cribb (c), Kauri Christie, Kaiaio Tangira-Kerekere, Dante Kirkpatrick, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, Apirana Kirkpatrick, Tupai Matenga, Gibson Poi. R: Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Brayden Maxwell, Te-Reimana Gray, Impala Waipara, Ratu Nairoiroi, Levi Cameron, Hikurangi Reid.

TBC: Ryan Dunn (c), Ryan Palmer, Christian Sauni, Ollie Francis, Whare Rayner, Ketai Zinyowera, Aidan Spratley, Kail Waru, Charlie Sinton, Lennox Ward, Noah Johnstone, Kaisami Kapua, Jackson Wood, Haami Ririnui, Aaron Riley. R: Jyron Bibi, Kawana Heke, Lachlan Stevens, Loughlan Dongahy, Brayden Stowers, Mason Verster.

GBHS: Tomasi Mataele, Jaiah Garrett-Kora, Simione Falefoau, Sam Gaddum, Rawiri Jones, Logan Bruce, Lykhin Poihipi (c), James McKay, Kahurangi Leach-Waihi, Phoenix Pardoe-Crosby, Jaxon Mackey, Jaydyn Tihore-Edwards, Amanaki Henoa, Storm Henare-Brown, Torrence Kennedy. R: Jacob Diack, Oakley Brown-Terekia, Felix Sparks, Malakai Fakahokotau, Jayzhon Ihimaera-Kaaho/Sione Kaliopasi, Maxwell Kennedy, Torrence Kennedy, Timuaki Stewart, Jayden De Thier, Sonny Tairakena.

TBC: Theo Chan-Boon, Luca Tamihana, Flynn Moodie, Donovan Price, Henry Scholes, Tom Dyer (c), Ben Riordan, Tipene Taikato-Smith, Malachi Emmett, Rhydian Spice, Ashton Blenkiron-Pye, Lazarus Bidois, Ethan McMenamin, Howard Harris, Josiah Emmett. R: Blake Vrieze, Jay McQuiod, Ioapo Kupita, Luca Massey, Baylyn Pevreal-Milner.

GBHS: Tane Te Aho-Heemi, Enoka-Ben Pewhairangi-Nukunuku, Patelesio Tavake, Jahdin McKenzie (c), Storm De Thier, Cortez Korau, Max Gaddum, Malakai Tea, Coen-Theros Brown, Kelly-Morehu Paenga-Rangihuna, Isaac Robinson, Jasper Drayton-Tuhua, Mahonri Aupouri, Sariah Houia, Darius Kiwara. R: Naera Keelan-Wyllie, Ocean Crosby, Nevaryn Rewita, Manawanui Stewart, Messiah Tiopira, Apairoa Pokoati.

TBC: Jacob Bidois, Zac Horan, Hunter Schwass, Khan Charlton, Jake Bowman, Herepete Bidois, Lincoln Korewha, Cooper Spratley, Nate Handley, Jack Shaw, Kiwa Kahura, Nate McLeod, Harlan Reedy, Te Wharemanaaki Kingi Mason, Isaac Johnstone (c). R: Matt Bell, Zak Wikeepa, Ben Marshall, Gianni Martin, Khobi Edwards, Tommy McQuoid, Jaxton Hodge.