That as good a goal-kicker as second five-eighth Nathaniel Fox converted Brown’s grand effort would likewise surprise few in the know.
The Waititi/Tutere Waenga-coached TVC, from try-scoring loosehead prop Rika Mato down, did their top billing justice.
No.8 Hoani Te Moana, one of the best forwards in the club competition and at representative level for a decade, and Verdon Bartlett, a Sky Blue Meads Cup hero of 2012 with 93 first-class caps, made the scoresheet alongside scrum-anchor Joseph Roberts and second-five Ash Busher.
Reserve openside flanker-cum-midfield back Benny Haerewa kicked four conversions and centre Tame Anderson, TVC’s MVP (most valuable player), one.
Waititi knows what his TVC team must do to maintain their unbeaten record at Hikurangi’s fortress of Kahuitara.
“We’ve got to play to our structure for longer periods, and keep improving our defensive line and tackle-height,” he said. “I want to see these things, in the main, this weekend.”
City want a big performance against Hicks Bay tomorrow, Waiapu having beaten them 27-15 in the opening game at Whakarua Park.
City will travel to Te Araroa Domain next Saturday and in a fortnight will host the derby match against The Maunga; NPEC club rugby has no weak teams or easy games.
The Hikurangi-Waiapu game was a beauty. Waiapu rose to the occasion against a Maunga side that played with flair and could at any tine have run amok. Thirteen points separated the teams by game’s end, which is the scoreline Waiapu deserved.
Hikurangi in full flight are fearsome: their wisest opponents have never given them the inch that becomes a mile. The daring of match-winning fullback Kris Palmer on the run is legendary.
Barbarich, Kahaki and reserve Marsh Wilson together scored five tries and Palmer’s usefulness extends to goal-kicking: his three conversions and two penalty goals loomed large in the context of the game.
Waiapu openside flanker Richard Green, goal-kicking halfback Hamuera Moana-Baker, first-five Puna Manuel and reserve Adrian Rogers all scored tries for the home team, with two conversions from Moana-Baker.
Waima, who had the bye last weekend, will host Tokararangi at Hatea-a-Rangi Memorial Park, Tokomaru Bay, at 2pm. Tokararangi, these days under player-coach Rapata Haerewa, will play to their strengths — chief among those their sizeable and powerful forward pack.
Two-try man Samupo, tighthead prop Teina Potae, lock Israel Brown, first-five Te Aho Haenga, and wingers James Warnock and Boxer Shaw all dotted down in Tokararangi’s 24-point win against Hicks Bay at Te Araroa Domain. Haerewa kicked three conversions and Samupo, one.
Hicks Bay scored tries through openside flanker Weihana Delamere, reserve Josh King and first-five Manahi Brooking, who also kicked two conversions.
Strongman Anton King, who played No.8 last Saturday at Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti, is a consistent and influential forward in the Hicks Bay pack. He will need to be at his very best in the epicentre of Coast rugby in Week 3.
Waiapu have the bye.
All three men’s games will kick off at 2pm
Both women’s fixtures are at 11.30am.
Men’s results
Waiapu 24 (Richard Green, Hamuera Moana-Baker, Puna Manuel, Adrian Rogers, tries; Moana-Baker 2 conversions) Hikurangi 37 (Te Mana Barbarich 2, Fabyan Kahaki 2, Marsh Wilson, tries; Kris Palmer 3 con, 2 pen).
Tihirau Victory Club 45 (Haimona Waititi 2, Rika Mato, Joseph Roberts, Hoani Te Moana, Ash Busher, Verdon Bartlett, tries; Benny Haerewa 4 con, Tame Anderson con) Ruatoria City 7 (John Brown try; Nathaniel Fox con)
Tokararangi 43 (Pamona Samupo 2, Teina Potae, Israel Brown, Te Aho Haenga, James Warnock, Boxer Shaw, tries; Samupo con, Rapata Haerewa 3 con) Hicks Bay 19 (Weihana Delamere, Manahi Brooking, Josh King, tries; Brooking 2 con)
Women’s results
Waiapu 10 (Rakai Papuni-Hohepa, Kayla Gobbie, tries) Hikurangi Mountain Maidens 15 (Ariki Beach 2, Maraea Green, tries)
TVC 68 (Danea Kopa 5, Amelia Vaka, Maani Waititi, Karina Ranapia, Alizay Grant, Shirley Mullany-Mato, Sarah Waititi, Zella Ranapia, tries; Kopa 3 con, Grant con) Ruatoria City 0.
