A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
The Kane Trophy is staying put.
That is the firm intention of the Ngati Porou Seafoods Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 heading into their Super 8 clash against Tauranga Boys’ College at the Rectory field tomorrow.
Winless Tauranga face Gisborne, who are sixth, above Tauranga and New Plymouth. Gisborne Boys’ High and New Plymouth BHS have both won one and lost five. Gisborne’s win was a 50-12 shellacking of New Plymouth here a month ago.
“We’re very positive about playing the last home game for the season; it would be great to have a big crowd to watch the boys play,” first 15 head coach Mark Jefferson said.
“For us, the focus is on ourselves and trying to nail the 1 percent, little things, that will get us over the line.”
Gisborne are coming off an away loss. Hamilton’s 26-17 victory was their sixth straight Super 8 win of the season. Hamilton had led 26-3; Gisborne did more than merely make the score respectable.
Tauranga, coached by former Poverty Bay lock Dan Goodwin, have had to fight this season. They were held scoreless by Hamilton (39-0) on June 2 and Hastings (24-0) last weekend. In 2017, Gisborne beat Tauranga 24-19 at their Nicholson Field.
The last three games played here have been thrillers: Gisborne won 20-18 in 2012 and 26-25 in 2014. Tauranga won 22-20 in 2016 to take the Kane Trophy. The head-to-head in Super 8 is 10-10.
Eleven Year 13 players — Dylan Hall, Billy Priestley, Chase Sheridan, Sione Ki-Niua, Quintony Ngatai, Quinn Collard, Michael Fox, Moses Christie, Seth Lundon, Salesi Niuvao and Tonihi Raureti — will be making their last Rectory appearance for Gisborne Boys’ High School.
For head boy Hall, 17, and his team, the defining moment has arrived.
“We need to play footy in the first half and be aggressive at the breakdown,” he said.
“For all the guys leaving, it has been an absolute privilege to be part of a strong tradition with a proud history. We want to do the jersey justice one last time at the Rectory.”
A date for the traditional interschool match against Sacred Heart College, to be played in Auckland, has yet to be confirmed.
The first 15 (12.30pm, referee Royce Maynard), second 15 (11am, Oliver Holst) and under-15s (9.30am, Adam Tapsell) will all play on Rectory No.1, while the u14s will play on No.2 at 9.30am, referee David Stevenson.
GBHS 1st 15, 1-22: Jordan McFarlane, Billy Priestley, Amanaki Tonga, Ofa Tauatevalu, Khian Westrupp, Chase Sheridan, Dylan Hall (captain), Sione Ki-Niua, Quintony Ngatai, Quinn Collard, TK Reihana, Poumana Gemmell, Michael Fox, Matthew Proffit, Moses Christie. Reserves: Seth Lundon, Nikau Maxwell, Salesi Niuvao, Amos Roddick, Jordan Christie, Niko Lauti, Tonihi Raureti.
Tauranga Boys’ College 1st 15, 1-22: Kaharoa Takuira-Mita, Kirwan Te Hiini, Jared Ruwhiu-Bott, Ryan Bosselmann, Josh Bartlett, Vaughtin Patena-Fortune, Dylan French, Shi Jie Yong (c), Flynn Henderson, Jake Broadmore, Harrison Shaw, Izahn Le Comte, Ryan Schneebeli, Wiremu Leef, Brayden Dew. Reserves: Josh Humphries, Rico Webster, Lachie Devereux, Melino Fotu, Jamaine Tawa, Logan Marshall, Hunter Dickson.
GBHS 2nd 15, 1-22: Lyric Tahau, Seth Lundon, Isaiah Kiwara, Kauri Waitoa, Setefano Tolu, Keanu Wainohu, Amos Roddick, Henare Brooking, Jordan Christie, Ricardo Patricio, Te Aotahi Tuhaka, Von Huata, Hunter Tangira, Keane Williams, De-Villa Pirihi-Coutts. Reserves: Reef Roberts, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Thomas Farr, Corban Richter, Adam Whibley, Benito Barry, Nic Proffit, Bryan Howard.
GBHS u15s: Chrysler Mark Stevens, Matariki Kaa, Nathaniel Hauiti, Tyler Keelan-Phillips, Nick Patumaka, Saylahr Paaka, Jackson MacDonald, Lochi Mead (c), Kyran Russell, John Horua, Caleb Billington, Irie Eyles, Whetu King-Taufa, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Western Poutu. Reserves: Siope Fakahokotau, Silas Brown, Reweti Ropiha, Hayze Nepia, Henare Kepa, Drake Wanoa, Eni Sinoti.
GBHS u14s, 1-20: Lathaneal Niwa-Karakia, Riley Kururangi, Zeke Collier, Matiu Anderson, Dylan Bronlund, Reuben Whaitiri, Ben Phelps, Uetaha Wanoa, Israel Fox, Carlos Hihi (c), Wiremu Maxwell, Taimana Teneti, Xavier Henare, Hikurangi Reid, Kaia Gate. Reserves: Steven Huata, Lucas Curle, Cleveland Kennedy, Geordie Sawyer, Troy Wharepapa.