Palmerston North in sights

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

RUGBY

They have Palmerston North in their sights.

Two weeks after Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15’s epic 17-5 win against 2019 National first 15 rugby champions Hastings on the Rectory field, the Ryan Tapsell-coached crew are taking their campaign for Super 8 points on the road.

Both the first 15, at 12 midday, and second 15, at 9.50am, will play Palmerston North Boys’ High on Field 3 at Central Energy Trust Stadium in Palmerston North tomorrow.

The team who lost away to Moascar Cup holders Napier Boys’ High 24-0 and to Rotorua BHS 20-19 have been transformed. Perhaps an even bigger factor in that change than the win against Hastings is the work ethic they have built from the ground up.

Tapsell confirmed that GBHS “trained the house down” last night. Outstanding senior players such as captain and openside flanker Amos Roddick, big tighthead prop Sione Mafileo and brawny No.8 Khian Westrupp — all now injury-free — will spearhead Gisborne’s effort up front.

Left wing Whetu King-Taufa, who scored a magnificent try in the Memorial Pavilion corner against Akina (Hastings), is a formidable finisher.

Lock Nik Patumaka, King-Taufa and Westrupp each scored a try in Boys’ High’s last win here.

Palmerston North head coach Blair van Stipriaan brought his side here a year ago for a 32-25 win, having weathered the 2018 clash 23-21. In 2017, PNBHS were well worth their winning margin of 18 points (21-3), while Gisborne had won 29-27 in 2016 and 23-7 in 2015.

Palmerston North began this Super 8 season with a 25-8 win at home against Akina, before losing away to Hamilton, 17-10, and New Plymouth, 23-10.

Amos Roddick and company want execution, performance and a win in that order but would also not be averse to making hard clean tackles.

The Second 15 fixture will have been played on Field 3 before the first 15 match but F3 should hold up as well as No.1.

GBHS second 15 coach Wiremu Kaa is keen to see his team adopt a more direct approach with ball in hand. Gisborne gave Hastings BHS a fright two weeks ago, though Hastings held on, 21-13. GBHS captain and second-five Xavier Henare-Brown said: “I just want intensity and heart from my boys. If we have those things from the start of the game, then I think we can win”

Nathaniel Hauiti, Matariki Kaa, Sione Mafileo, Dylan Bronlund, Nik Patumaka, Sam Twigley, Amos Roddick (c), Khian Westrupp, Kirk Ngatai, Nic Proffit, Whetu King-Taufa, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Von Huata, Corbyn Peach, King Maxwell. Reserves: Henare Lardelli-Clarke, Max Briant, Kitini Taihuka, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Kyran Russell, Isaiah Lemaua, TBC.

Moeaki Mosati, Rewiti Ropiha, Hayze Nepia, Zeke Collier, Matiu Anderson, Saylahr Paaka, Ben Phelps, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Kyran Russell, Bryan Howard, Siope Fakahokotau, Xavier Henare-Brown (c), Poumanu Reeves, Freedom Lemaua, Taimana Teneti. Reserves: Keegan Jooste, Jacob Storey, Te Ariki Pomana, Israel Fox, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Uetaha Wanoa, Whakaruru Waitai-Te Kurupa.