Miller remembered on ‘a beautiful day’

FRONT AND BACK: Flying Eels team member Mika Tappy Mafi is stopped by a two-man Bulldog defence. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Hardcore play and a beautiful day proved a fitting tribute to a popular figure in the third running of the Nate Miller Memorial Rugby League Tournament at the weekend. Four teams took part in the annual fixture that remembers a young man whose life was ended far too early in a forestry accident on Feburary 13, 2019.

Tournament organiser Ally Tamihere, of Gisborne Tairāwhiti Rugby League, said it was “a beautiful day” with a strong whanau atmosphere.

Five teams were originally entered but two of them — Repongaere Eels and the Falcons — combined as one team (the Flying Eels) due to numbers.

It was fitting as they were teams Nate played for during his league days, Tamihere said.

The other competing teams were Paikea Whalers, the Stallions and United Bulldogs

Several prominent club rugby players donned league uniforms for the event.

Tamihere said the Miller family were also well represented.

The competition format was round-robin with the top two teams meeting in a final.

The Whalers and the Stallions earned those spots and the honours went to Paikea 32-0. The Whalers also cleanswept the individual awards — Isaiah Leach the most valuable player, Tanira Nepia best forward and Ngapo Wehi best back.

While it was a competition, ultimately it was about honouring a talented sportsman and popular figure once described as “a pou” of his club and “a phenomenal player” who could have gone on to higher honours.