Gisborne co-captain and first-five Carlos Hihi played for Rotorua two years ago, so they are well aware of his creativity and class.
Last Saturday, Ben Phelps joined fellow first-choice flanker Dylan Bronlund on the GBHS injured list. As a result, Kaia Gate will be at No.6, and towering Joe Kemp will take Gate's locking berth. Third-year man King Maxwell will make his second straight start at fullback, with second 15 skipper and No.8 Noah Torrance-Cribb earning a call-up to the reserves.
As a 13-year-old, head coach Hihi saw the GBHS first 15 of 1995 defend the Moascar Cup against Rotorua at the Rectory, 11-3.
In 2001, he played under Super Rugby second-row titan Craig Clarke with All Black Hosea Gear against NZ Maori captain Liam Messam at RBHS's fortress Raukura.
He knows the scale of the task.
“Our boys need to be consistent and finish the job,” coach Hihi said. “It's going to take a mammoth effort to bring the Moascar Cup home, but if we can be disciplined and accurate in what we do, we'll give ourselves a fighting chance.”
There are four GBHS teams in action against RBHS counterparts tomorrow.
The Mike Kora-coached second 15 lost 20-12 to Hastings BHS at Nuhaka Domain in a pre-season game on May 14, but lessons were learned that bore fruit. They came from behind to beat their Palmerston North BHS opposites 22-16 on May 28. Last weekend a strong Napier team beat them 33-7. Openside flanker Jimmy Moore's try, converted by first-five Te-Reimana Grey, was the highlight.
Trevor Crosby's under-15s and the Richard Brown-Josh Maynard-coached u14s have had to work harder off the field of play than on it ahead of one of three Super 8 exchanges.
These fixtures — during which seniors and juniors interact, observe and inspire — are among the most popular on the GBHS rugby calendar.
ROUND 3, 2022 SUPER 8 SCHOOLS RUGBY
GBHS 1st 15: Lathaneal Karakia-Niwa, Boston Morete, Nathaniel Hauiti (cc), Joe Kemp, Zeke Collier, Kaia Gate, Braith Ingram, Reuben Whaitiri, Israel Fox, Carlos Hihi (c), Luka Russell, Puna Hihi, Xavier Tuapawa, Taimana Teneti, King Maxwell. R: Whetu McGhee, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Latrell Walker, Luke Bidois, Liam Beattie, Izaiah Fox, Cohen Loffler. R: Whetu McGhee, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Latrell Walker, Luke Bidois. GBHS 2nd 15: Malosi Lufalealo, Josiah Keiaho, Henry Tovio, Eugene Paul, Latrell Walker, Keegan Jooste, Jimmy Moore, Noah Torrance-Cribb (c), Kauri Christie, Te-Reimana Gray, Apirana Kirkpatrick, Xavier Henare-Brown, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, Dante Kirkpatrick, Safin Tuwairua-Brown. R: Cody Tarei, Kerry Hohepa, Levi Cameron, Whetu Tukaki, Gibson Poi, Kaiaio Tangira-Kerekere, Impala Waipara. GBHS u15s: Tomasi Mataele, Oakley Brown-Terekia, Taran Wilson, Sam Gaddum, Felix Sparks, Logan Bruce, Lykhin Poihipi (c), Amanaki Henoa, James Hamblyn, Phoenix Pardoe-Crosby, Jaxon Mackey, Torrence Kennedy, Jayden De Thier, Storm Henare-Brown, Timuaki Stewart. R: Jaiah Garrett-Kora, Simione Falefoau, Sione Kaliopasi, Rawiri Jones, Jayzhon Ihimaera-Kaaho, Maxwell Kennedy, Sonny Tairakena, Jaydyn Tihore-Edwards, Joel Pearce. GBHS u14s: Joshua Aukuso, Enoka-Ben Pewhairangi-Nukunuku, Naera Keelan-Wyllie, Jahdin McKenzie (c), Storm De Thier, Cortez Korau, Patelesio Tavake, Malakai Tea, Coen-Theros Brown, Kelly-Morehu Paenga-Rangihuna, Giovahni Smith-Green, Jasper Drayton-Tuhua, Mahonri Aupouri, Sariah Houia, Darius Kiwara. R: Tane Te Aho-Heemi, Nevaryn Rewita, Manawanui Stewart, Messiah Tiopira, Apairoa Pokoati, Issacc Robinson.
