RUGBY
THE Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 is committed.
Geography and population have forced GBHS rugby to dig deep for 112 years, and during the past two seasons under Ryan Tapsell their focus on the Super 8 has produced some memorable performances.
And their guests at the Rectory here tomorrow, Palmerston North BHS, have featured in some big moments.
On May 25, 2019 Blair Stipriaan’s PNBHS snuck away from Gisborne 32-25. Their classy left-wing Tavita Henare-Schuster scored two tries. The sides last met at Field 3, Energy Trust Stadium in the Manawatu on August 22, last year, and the home team won 54-10.
Palmerston North might have hosted Gisborne in the play-off for fifth-sixth last year, but as that game was not held, they were placed fifth, and GBHS sixth. The Amos Roddick-led team came from behind to beat New Plymouth 18-17 in their last game in GBHS colours, their second Super 8 win in 2020.
Gisborne’s last win against PNBHS was a heroic 29-27 effort in 2016, and their last win on home soil, 23-7, came in 2015.
This year’s crew, under captain tighthead prop Nathaniel Hauiti since the March 3 trials, have improved steadily. They have not yet tasted victory while pushing quality opposition very hard: on May 7, Feilding Agricultural High School kept their heads above water 17-10 at Whitmore Park and on May 15, Scots College survived a gut-busting GBHS charge 22-21 at Porirua Park.
A fortnight on from the clash with Scots, head coach Tapsell has put his cards on the table.
“The whole pre-season campaign has been about preparing for this first Super 8 hit-out: it’s going to be a big one,” Tapsell said.
GBHS will be without outstanding centre Von Huata, a third-year man who hurt his left knee in a 44-5 loss to Lindisfarne College away on April 3, but since has gone from strength to strength. Gisborne’s first and last outing at the Rectory has been a 71-6 loss to Kelston, and they have steel in their forward pack.
They scrummage well, their line-out is more than functional and the tight five is mobile. Hooker Matariki Kaa proved that in Wellington, where he was in support and scored a great first-half try. King Maxwell at fullback is reliable and gaining in confidence.
Palmerston North head coach Dan Turnock’s pack has three returning forwards and four backs have returned. PNBHS lost 31-33 to St Patrick’s College Silverstream last weekend, and Joe Simpson-Smith, a renowned tackler and leader, is a solid choice as skipper.
Simpson-Smith, like fellow PNBHS captains hooker Wiremu Ruawai (2nd 15) and first-five Ryder Croswell (u15s), will face stiff opposition. GBHS 2nd 15 coach Mark Jefferson said of his team (led by second-five Xavier Henare): “They’re a good bunch, willing to learn and they want to see how they shape up against the other Super 8 teams.”
GBHS u15 coach Duane has reason to be confident in his well-perfoming side, with captain openside flanker Clayton Wright.
“We’re strong in the loose forwards. Clayton, Maia Campbell (blindside flanker), and Luke Bidois (No.8). Our team has the ability to do well as long as they follow the process,” Duane said.
The referees for Saturday’s interschool fixtures are Isaac Hughes (1st 15, AR1 Miah Nikora, AR2 Aaron Brown, Rectory ground No.1, 12pm), Miah Nikora (2nd 15, R1, 10.30am) and Aaron Brown (u15s, R2, 10.30am).
Zeke Collier, Matariki Kaa, Nathaniel Hauiti (c), Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Max Briant (v), Dylan Bronlund, Ben Phelps, Nik Patumaka, Kyran Russell, Carlos Hihi, Siope Fakahokotau, Puna Hihi, Uetaha Wanoa, Isaiah Fox, King Maxwell. R: Reweti Ropiha, Charlie Mathias, Matiu Anderson, Lathaneal Niwa-Karakia, Karlos Howe, Israel Fox, Hikurangi Reid, Hayze Nepia.
Pulotu Toumohuni, Tutangiora Mafi, Zane Munn, Andre Teitanga, Jett Donald-Charnley, Joe Simpson-Smith (c), Tom Ilston-Park, Cody Borlase, Jakob Rauhihi-Collis, Curtis Heaphy, Ben Minhinnick, Leo Gordon, Tayne Harvey, Braxton Wilson-Clune, Maraki Aumua. R: Eli Oudenryn, Javahn Stevenson, Lawrence Leung-Wai, Kahn Mason, Vince Tahiwi-MacMillan, Sam Coles, Anitoni Metui.
Tupuhi Gardner, Paul Tovio, Levi Cameron, Joe Kemp, Latrell Walker, Kerry Hohepa, Braith Ingram, Reuben Whatiri, Kauri Christie, Te-Reimana Gray, Lachie Falloon, Xavier Henare (c), Xavier Tuapawa, Dante Kirkpatrick, Hawaiiki Nepe. R: Jimmy Moore, Ratu Nairoroi, Lathaniel Niwa-Karakia, Daniel Tamanui, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Kaia Gate, Kaioio Tangira, Cohen Loffler.
Telso Liuvaie, Wiremu Ruawai (c), Logan Wallace, William Haywood, Lawrence Leung-Wai, Quinn Gledhill, Sam Brodie, Max Deighton, Tyler Edwards, Fletcher Carpenter, Tadgh O’Connor, Toby Gullery, Jack Gordon, Anitoni Metui, Aaron Christensen. R: George Oltaches, Sam Lalogafau, Riley Kinloch, Alex Boblea, Mason Waller, Remy Early, Kees Jahnke.
Malosi Luafalealo, Tyrese Nikola, Whetu McGhee, Eugene Paul, Will Rouse, Maia Campbell, Clayton Wright (c), Luke Bidois, Liam Beattie, Wade Perrett, Api Kirkpatrick, Kelan Bryant, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, Timuaki Stewart, Torence Kennedy. R: Bekko Page, Simione Falefoou, Cody Tarei, Connor Paenga, Kalani Ensor, Sol O’Connor, Tyrese Thomas.
Sione Taeiloa, Billy Easton, Kody Tahiwi, Blake Kidby, Kruiz Ioane, Shay Uri-Erihe, Alex Palazzo, Tevita Fakahau, Kallum Gullery, Ryder Croswell (c), Dre Cook-Nelio, Jaziah Symons, Nehemiah Su’a, Richie Schaaf, Sione Metui. R: Jack Atkin-Cade, Basantha Subba, Meihana Paul, Cooper Furnell, Harry Gordon, Amini Seruwalu.