Gisborne rise to the Super 8 challenge

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

Mel Gibson’s Oscar-winning film Braveheart was to some a stirring epic while others could not abide the dramatic licence it took.

And just as Scottish warrior William Wallace was told to stand and be recognised, with his men as aides-de-camp, the Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 also rose to the challenge in Round 4 of the Super 8 first 15 competition.

The Jason Shoemark and Karl Lowe-coached Hastings Boys’ High Akina won Saturday’s clash 26-19 on their home battlefield to retain the Norman McConnell Memorial Cup they have held for three years.

The hosts also won the second 15 clash 33-8 and the under-15s match 17-12, but the Mark Jefferson-coached Gisborne u14s denied them a clean sweep with a heart-stopping 19-17 victory.

Around 300 hardy souls braved a chilly Hastings day for the Super 8 first 15 clash on a heavy No.1 ground.

Hastings hooker JJ Iosefo opened the scoring after three minutes. A superb 40-20 line-kick to the right corner from fullback Mokau Lambert put Akina on attack from the get-go. Iosefo found lock Oscar Ritchie at No.3 in the lineout, then joined the drive. He scored 5m in from the corner and Lambert converted the try.

In the 17th minute, Akina’s bulky No.8 Shaun McNaughten went over for the first of his double. A goal-line drop-kick by the visitors was taken by Hastings right-wing Raef Robinson. Over eight phases, Hastings made strong metres to get within striking distance for McNaughten and he scored 15m to the left of the posts. Lambert converted for 14-0.

Gisborne closed the gap in the 24th minute. From an attacking scrum just inside Akina’s 22, halfback Liam Beattie sent the backs right. Over five phases, Gisborne worked hard from sideline to sideline until first-five Safin Tuwairua-Brown beat his man and threw a long pass right to blindside flanker Jimmy Moore who cut in and through and dotted down 12m to the right of the posts.

Hastings struck back in the 29th minute.

From a scrum centrefield on Gisborne’s 22, McNaughten went off the back and passed to halfback Mike Brown, who found the speedy Lambert on his right and he did well to get over despite the desperate efforts of three defenders.

Lambert converted his own try to put Hastings 21-5 ahead at halftime.

In the 51st minute, Gisborne’s industrious pack reaped reward for their competitiveness and perseverance.

Awarded a penalty 5m from the Hastings goal-line by Hawke’s Bay referee Max Lancaster, co-captain and openside flanker Braith Ingram chose to tap-kick. Gisborne threw their biggest bodies at Akina, three times surging forward until No.8 Luke Bidois crunched across for their second try.

Reserve halfback Kauri Christie converted to close the gap to 21-12.

McNaughten completed his double in the 58th minute of play. From a scrum 19m from halfway the ball went through seven sets of hands to a breakdown. From there, massive scrum anchor Maiti Leef stretched his legs on a 20m run until Tuwairua-Brown hauled him down, but Akina cleared quickly left for McNaughten to score.

Down 26-12, Gisborne were not yet done with. In the 66th minute, lock Joe Kemp won an attacking lineout in dominant fashion off the right touch at the 22.

Christie sent the ball left and under a penalty advantage the ball went to lock Reuben Whaitiri, who put the foot down and carved through the middle of forward traffic en route to the line for a brilliant individual try. It was a startling burst of speed which only Lambert had time to register, let alone respond to.

Christie converted to close the gap to seven.

As memorable as the quality tries to Moore, Bidois and Whaitiri were, Gisborne’s’ courageous tackling and effort in defence was a stand-out. They conceded only one try in the second half and to get within seven points of the opposition for a losing bonus point showed their competitiveness.

“Our focus was on defence this week because we knew it was going to be a physical game against Hastings,” Gisborne coach Duane Hihi said. “We were really happy with the lineout, our impact players and to see the boys fight to the final whistle. Matching Akina in contact was a goal of ours.”

Ingram also praised their efforts.

“’Our defence and attack came together as our confidence grew, and we knew that we were in the fight. We came with the right attitude and mindset but now we have to execute and communicate effectively if we’re going to beat New Plymouth there this Saturday.”

Hastings manager Jason Bird said: “Gisborne played well and so did we in the first half when we used the wind sensibly. Errors cost us late in the game which narrowed our margin of victory.”

It was Hastings’ first win of the 2023 competition, having lost to Palmerston North (25-15) and Napier (24-18).

Gisborne, who have two losing bonus points, are searching for their first win.

Napier (16 points) are top of the table despite a 25-21 loss to Tauranga Boys’ College at the weekend.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Hamilton, tasted sweet revenge with a 40-7 dismantling of defending champions Rotorua.

Hamilton (15pts) and Tauranga (14) have won three from three.

Super 8 rugby results

First 15s — Gisborne Boys’ High 19 (Jimmy Moore, Luke Bidois, Reuben Whaitiri, tries; Kauri Christie 2 con) Hastings 26. HT: 21-5. 
MVPs: Jimmy Moore (GBHS), Shaun McNaughten (Hastings).

Second 15 — GBHS 8 (Jaydyn Tihore-Edwards try; David Gray pen) Hastings 33. HT: 21-3. 
MVPs: Kane Soto (GBHS), Membrenz Tahu (Hastings).

Under-15s — GBHS 12 (Jasper Drayton-Tuhua, Malakai Tea, tries; Messiah Tiopira con) Hastings 17. HT 12-5 Hastings.
MVPs: Malakai Tea (GBHS), Tamihana Dellow-Timu (Hastings).

Under-14s — GBHS 19 (Jethro Morris, Jimmy Tufuga, Olly Mackintosh, tries; Morris con, Justin Madoc con) Hastings 17. HT 7-7.
MVPs: Samuel Fox (GBHS), Victory Voice (Hastings).