A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
They’re the Super 8’s Big Bad — Field 1 at Hamilton Boys’ High School is the wolf’s lair.
And the Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 will pop in on reigning Super 8 rugby champions Hamilton BHS tomorrow at 12 midday.
Two-time defending champions Hamilton — who shared the title with Hastings BHS in 2017 — have won the competition 12 times since 1998. On July 27 last year, they beat Gisborne 52-3 at the Rectory yet the previous season, HBHS were severely tested on their way to victory 26-17.
Head to head, Gisborne’s hosts tomorrow have won 28, GBHS 27, with three draws since 1958, having last lost to Gisborne 32-26 in 2011. In 2012 at home, they beat GBHS 30-13 for the Vesty Thomas Cup, which they have held since.
Gisborne Boys’ have one Super 8 win this season, 17-5 against last year’s national champions Hastings at the Rectory. Had they started Game 5 against Tauranga Boys’ College with the same defensive intensity, TBC pressed that much harder might have struggled to contain them.
But TBC (29-22) and Rotorua (20-19) won the close ones: the away game against Hamilton and Game 7 against New Plymouth here are important games from the point of view of confidence. All associated with this GBHS team have made great efforts to support them, a fact that head coach Ryan Tapsell is acutely aware of. He also knows the scale of tomorrow’s task.
“Hamilton set the standard nationally. It’s a huge challenge for us, but one we’re looking forward to. We need to win the battle up front, keep our discipline, stick to process. We play good rugby when we do, but need to do that for 70 minutes to give ourselves a chance.”
His captain, openside flanker Amos Roddick, is no respecter of reputations.
“This is about intensity and trust in each other,” Roddick said. “We’re going in with the right attitude: that they’re at the top doesn’t mean anything to us. I believe we can take them out and so do all the boys.”
Nik Patumaka switches from No.8 to lock, Khian Westrupp moving to eight from blindside flanker and Dylan Bronlund is on the blindside. Corbyn Peach moves from second-five to the left-wing for last week’s debutant and tryscorer Siope Fakahokotau, Von Huata is at second-five, Isaiah Lemaua is on the right-wing for Bryan Howard.
HBHS head coach and former New Zealand Schools coach Nigel Hotham is wary of the visitors.
“Gisborne are dangerous, to be underestimated at your peril, as shown by their win against Hastings,” said Hotham. “We’re travelling well at the business end of the season and a couple of our boys to have impressed lately are our captain, No.8 Solomona Tyrell, and fetcher Heath MacEwan.”
Hamilton are themselves coming off a win against Hastings, 34-5 at Akina. Their structure and pod-play is strong, as they are in set-piece play as well. Gisborne must hold Hamilton at the scrum: enter Kitini Taihuka, Matariki Kaa and Mafileo in the GBHS front row.
Never before this season will that trio play a more important role than they will tomorrow in what are expected to be wet conditions on Field 1 at HBHS. If Gisborne give no ground in defence, stop Hamilton forwards at the advantage line close to the ruck and not allow midfield punch, they will have gone a long way towards being competitive.
The Gisborne forwards must themselves all make ground with ball in hand, have as their priority ball-retention, good handling and continuity with a slippery ball. Kirk Ngatai and Nic Proffit at halfback and first-five respectively, could be worth their weight in gold tomorrow from an option-taking point of view. If they are accurate, Gisborne have a chance. GBHS can win tomorrow if they keep the score low, play to the referee — International Television Match Official Aaron Paterson — and play with indefatigable heart.
GBHS first 15: Kitini Taihuka, Matariki Kaa, Sione Mafileo, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Nik Patumaka, Dylan Bronlund, Amos Roddick (c), Khian Westrupp, Kirk Ngatai, Nic Proffit, Corbyn Peach, Von Huata, Whetu King-Taufa, Isaiah Lemaua, King Maxwell. R: Henare Lardelli-Clarke, Max Briant, Nathaniel Hauiti, Sam Twigley, Kyran Russell, Taimana Teneti, Siope Fakahokotau.
GBHS second 15 squad: Adrian Wharehinga-McDonald, Ben Phelps, Drake Wanoa, Freedom Lemaua, Hayze Nepia, Israel Fox, Jacob Storey, Jayrieon Te Ahu Ahu, Keegan Jooste, Kyran Russell, Matiu Anderson, Max Briant, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Moeaki Mosati, Reweti Ropiha, Saylahr Paaka, Silas Brown, Sitiveni Tuilautala (c), Taimana Teneti, Uetaha Wanoa, Whakaruru Waitai-Te Kurupa, Zeke Collier
HBHS first 15: Mason Tupaea, Sean Ralph, Gabe Robinson, Tyler McNutt, Daniel Fereti, Maximus Lestro, Heath MacEwan, Solomona Tyrell (c), Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Aki Tuivailala, Luke Ale, Westyn Cobb, Amos Faaola, Oliver Foote. R: Boston McCullough, Moses McGoon, Jack McCarthy, Harry Russ, Marley Murphy, Zack Paterson, Tyron Hilton.
HBHS second 15: Keran van Staden, Tai Edwards, Paula Fifita, Jack Tuck, Cole McClure, Kieran Draper, Kaleb Saxon, Ben Russell (c), Dean Ralph, Payton Spencer, Ethan Fladgate, Austin Anderson, Cody Nordstrom, Reegan Arsen, Lachie McCarthy. R: Joel Hazelton, Abraham Harrison, William Martin, Liam Sturm, Henry Palmer, Connor McKnight.