Mixed emotions for Holmes as PB play Taranaki in Ranfurly Shield match

TWO ON ONE: Waikohu’s Mario Counsell (left) and Ethine Reeves combine to stop OBM’s Jake Holmes. The Waikohu pair are in the Poverty Bay team to play Taranaki on Saturday while Holmes misses out. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

OBM skipper Jake Holmes will have mixed emotions when he watches Poverty Bay play Taranaki in a Ranfurly Shield rugby match at New Plymouth on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Gisborne Boys’ High School art teacher, who played for the Bay last season, has five former Boys’ High teammates in the Taranaki squad — Jared Proffit, Toa Halafihi, Donald Maka, Beaudein Waaka and Adrian Wyrill.

But Holmes will be cheering on the men in red.

“Even though they’re all my mates and I want them to play well, I’d love the Bay to win,” said Holmes, who flies out from New Plymouth on Monday for a holiday in England.

“After missing out on selection I decided to take a break. I’d always planned on going overseas but rugby usually got in the way.

“I’ve got leave of absence from the school until the fourth term (October). That will give me a couple of months to do some sightseeing, have a look at some of the big stadiums — rugby and football — maybe even get a game or two of rugby.”

Holmes said he was disappointed not to make the squad for the Shield game but bore no grudges.

'I support Poverty Bay whether I’m playing or not'“I support Poverty Bay whether I’m playing or not, and we’ve got Jacob Cook (lock) and Callum McDonald (loosie), both OBM players, in the team for the weekend, which is good.”

Holmes wore the No.10 jersey for the Bay last season, but shifted to second five-eighth for the latter stages of the premier competition this season.

“I enjoyed second-five, especially the contact side of the game, and we had a good culture in the club, with some new players coming in and settling well.”

Bay coach Mana Otai sprang a surprise when he named Waikohu’s Hamuera Baker to start at halfback against Taranaki, ahead of Waikohu first-choice No.9 Mario Counsell, who was one of the driving forces in the team’s three-trophy success.

“We know what Mario can do; this game is a chance to see if Hamuera can step up,” Otai said.

“We want to speed up our game, and both players get the ball out to the backs quickly.

“We also have another good halfback, Willy Grogan,who was unlucky to miss out.

“Willy offers us another style, so there’s lots of competition for places.

“We’re going to need a 35-man squad to do well in the Heartland Championship, and this game is the first step in the build-up to our opening match — against Wairarapa Bush — here on August 25.”

The Bay left Gisborne today by bus and will train tomorrow.

“We had a training session on Tuesday night, with all the boys who played in the final available, so it’ll be good to have another run together tomorrow,” Otai said.

“We’re happy with the squad. There’s plenty of experience and some new blood.

“Mekepio Brown had to pull out because of family commitments. That opened the door for Sam McDelI, who has good physique and good attitude.

“Fawn White and Lynden Manuel are also in the picture, along with Callum McDonald and Willis Tamatea for the two loosie positions. It’s important that players not in this squad stay positive.”