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RUGBY
It’s rugby history — on a tightrope. With 27 wins apiece and three draws since 1958, the latest chapter in Gisborne Boys’ High School-Hamilton BHS first 15 rivalry will unfold at the Rectory tomorrow.
Both Super 8 protagonists have a ton to play for. On one hand, GBHS (two competition points) will fight for their first win on home soil since the traditional interschool fixture against Lindisfarne College on April 6. With only next weekend’s match against Tauranga Boys’ College left to play, this clash for the Thomas Cup — held by Hamilton since 2012 — will be their last home game this season.
On the other hand, defending Super 8 champions Hamilton (20pts), in second spot, aim to win here with a bonus point in their pursuit of unbeaten Hastings (24pts). Hamilton will host Hastings in Round 7 on August 3. The Super 8 final is set for August 10. If they win tomorrow, Hamilton will equal Gisborne’s record of eight wins in a row in Gisborne-Hamilton games from 1976 to 1983.
Gisborne Boys’ High — now in eighth place — came sixth in Super 8 last year, having beaten New Plymouth Boys’ High (50-12) and Tauranga (28-5) in Gisborne.
Gisborne Boys’ High second 15 (6pts), with their 29-19 victory over winless Napier Boys’ High (1pt), are in seventh place. They finished seventh last year, after edging Tauranga 12-10 in Gisborne.
In losing 26-17 to Hamilton last year, Gisborne’s first 15 gave their billets a real push in Hamilton; the second 15 had earlier lost 57-0.
Gisborne have never lost all seven games in a Super 8 campaign. In 1998, 2004 and 2009, they won one game. This may serve as a point of interest and motivation . . . or as a warning from history. Gisborne Boys’ High School rugby teams rise to high challenges: tomorrow represents one.
In 2011, the GBHS first 15 flattened Hamilton 32-6 here on the way to their only Super 8 crown in the 21 years the competition has been going.
This Mark Jefferson-coached team have played with more courage and skill than their record suggests. Not once this season has luck been mentioned . . . though crucial periods of play and key moments in games have been.
Captain and loosehead prop Jordan McFarlane said: “Our boys are pumped to have them here — we’re just fizzing to get into them.”
That’s fighting talk but the skipper and his pack showed real ability at scrum-time against Sacred Heart College in the last game played here.
Sacred Heart, fourth in Auckland’s 1A competition, were 14-0 up at halftime and escaped with a 14-7 win.
Gisborne fullback-cum-halfback Braedyn Grant scored for Boys’ High, MVP (most valuable player) McFarlane, hooker Amanaki Tonga, openside flanker Amos Roddick and starting halfback Nic Proffit all induced panic in the Aucklanders’ ranks.
No.8 Nikau Maxwell thumped Sacred Heart in the tackle, first five-eighth Ricardo Patricio almost broke them on the goal-line, centre Niko Lauti was a rock in defence and daring counter-attack from left wing-cum-fullback TK Reihana took the visitors by surprise.
Yes, Gisborne have had heavy losses to Scots College and St Peter’s College. But rugby fans know when effort’s going in and when they see players making tackles, they respect them, hold them worthy of the badge. In that regard, these players deserve to be well thought of.
Hamilton won four games on their recent tour of Japan but they are not invincible. Third-placed Rotorua Boys’ High (19pts) beat them 18-13 at Hamilton last month. Nevertheless, Hamilton have bounced back from that — their only loss this year — with a vengeance.
Rectory fans can expect powerful, bustling, disciplined play from the visitors tomorrow.
Hamilton first 15 captain and tighthead prop Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead and company will look to punish any Gisborne mistakes.
When asked how important this fixture and its history were, former New Zealand Schools and three-time SANIX World Invitation Tournament-winning Hamilton Boys’ High head coach Nigel Hotham said: “Very . . . it’s very important.”
The match officials for tomorrow’s games at the Rectory are Heartland referee Poverty Bay’s Damien Macpherson (first 15, kick-off 12.30pm) with Oliver Holst as assistant referee No.1 and Aaron Brown as AR 2. Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council referee Holst will control the second-15 match at 11am.
Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15: Jordan McFarlane (c), Amanaki Tonga, Sione Mafileo, Tiaan Barbara, Ofa Tauatevalu, Khian Westrupp, Amos Roddick, Nikau Maxwell, Braedyn Grant, Ricardo Patricio, Nicolas Proffit, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Niko Lauti, Matthew Proffit, TK Reihana. Reserves: Nathaniel Hauiti, Nik Patumaka, Kirk Ngatai, three subs TBC.
GBHS second 15: Nathaniel Hauiti, Reweti Ropiha, Moeaki Mosati, Corban Richter, Kapua Thornicroft, Saylahr Paaka, Sam Twigley, Nik Patumaka, Silas Brown, Bryan Howard, Freedom Lemaua, Von Huata (c), Isaiah Lemaua, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Corbyn Peach. Reserves: Matariki Kaa, Isaiah Kiwara, Tylah Keelan-Phillips, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Kirk Ngatai, Jacob Wyllie.
Hamilton BHS first 15: Piri Kiwi, Matthew Dobbyn, Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead (c), Luke White, Joeli Matalaweru, Heath MacEwan, Danyon Brunton, Solomona Tyrell, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Amos Faaola, Westyn Cobb, Guy Lansdown, Tyron Hilton, Oliver Foote. Reserves: Mason Tupaea, Guy Robinson, Ned Pene, Marihi Hohepa-Te Huia, Te Aonui Wharawhara-Muriwai, Semisi Koroibuleka, Luka den Hertog.
HBHS second 15: Gabe Robinson, Tai Edwards, Moses McGoon, Jack Tuck, Tyler McNutt, Sean Ralph, Harry Russ (c), Samuel Nelson, Marley Murphy, Beau Pert, Ethan Fladgate, Josh Bennett, Dean Christensen, Cody Nordstrom, Lachie McCarthy. Reserves: Jack McCarthy, Keran van Staden, Tuhoe Kake, Tiaki Keogh, Noah Irvine, Boston McCullough, Kahn Caddy.