That injury left Tuhaka in charge of a squad including four players — Kolo Fonohema, Corey Reihana, Tevita Maka and James Warren — with over 100 premier appearances each for the club.
In only his second year with the prems after a season in the senior 1 team, Tuhaka was surprised when Wayne Ensor (HSOB coach) asked him to be the co-leader.
“I immediately said yes. I looked at it as a real honour. I’m still learning about the role, which is why I prefer to let Russell (Burns, hooker) and James (Warren, midfield back) take the team talks.
“I just concentrate on leading by example. My first priority is to play well before giving advice to others. And if I’m not doing my core role it only takes one look from Hikanui (Curtis, Tuhaka’s propping partner) to get me back on track.
“Even though I’ve only played 36 games for the club, I have the support of all the senior players, which makes my job easier.”
HSOB go into the final having beaten OBM in all three points rounds but Tuhaka said those now counted for nothing.
“This is the one that counts. OBM are the hardest team we’ve played all season. I’m not expecting anything different this weekend.”
HSOB No.8 Siosiua Moala and first five-eighth Corey Reihana grabbed the headlines after last week’s 36-24 semifinal win over Ngatapa but Tuhaka was quick to point out it was a team effort.
“Siosiua is a special player but he has missed about two-thirds of the season and we ended up winning the round-robin competition by 11 points. The guys who came in all did a fantastic job.”
Ensor admitted his last game in charge before focusing on a coaching career with Ngati Porou East Coast would be “a bit emotional”.
“I joined the club in 1995 and apart from a couple of years when I took a break, I’ve been coach since 2006.
“Getting to the final is all well and good but winning is even better. I’ve known the joys of winning and the disappointment of losing. I want the young guys in our team to experience the joy of winning a final.”
