Plenty of history to schools’ rivalry

CHARGING: Gisborne Boys' High School loose forward Nik Patumaka on the charge against St Peter's College. Picture by Paul Rickard

first-15 rugby rivalry between Gisborne Boys' High School and Rotorua Boys' High is linked to great teams.

The Kim Harris-coached 1995 team led by Mark Jefferson beat a powerful Rotorua crew here on a drop goal by the captain.

Both are great rugby schools and the comparisons between their best teams make for an absorbing read. Harris's 1994 world champions won 25 from 25, the second world cup and scored 1148 points; “Raukura” principal Chris Grinter's Rotorua crew of 2000 won 21 from 24 and scored 1213 points, 65 more than GBHS did in 1994. Gisborne scored one more try, for 190, in 1994, than RBHS did in 2000.

Tomorrow at 12 midday a Ryan Tapsell-coached GBHS first 15, who showed courage and ability against 1A titan St Peter's College and Napier BHS (once memorably referred to as “the hardest nut to crack”) take on Rotorua BHS in Rotorua.

Gisborne held Napier BHS to 5-0 for 50 minutes before losing the first Super 8 game of the season 24-0. Tomorrow week, Gisborne will host beaten 2019 Super 8 finalists Hastings BHS at the Rectory.

GBHS were placed eighth in last year's competition; Rotorua, third. Rotorua are coming off a 15-0 win against Tauranga Boys' College at Nicholson Field and both Rotorua and Gisborne have already shown themselves to be fighters this season.

St Peter's beat Gisborne 21-10 at the Rectory a fortnight ago and Rotorua were pipped 13-10 by Wesley College at Wesley.

Rotorua BHS director of rugby and first 15 head coach Ngarimu Simpkins' outfit, under hooker Dayna Bidois, contains four returners and 21 new players. Simpkins believes the game-day crowd could top 1500.

Tapsell said: “Our boys are tough, and match up with any team physically — we've won that battle in our last two games — but the big work-on is around sticking to our process. We do that in patches, not consistently, so we just need to trust in our process and keep working through it.”

Gisborne sides traditionally step up against Rotorua and while the only GBHS team to beat Rotorua here last year was Duane Hihi's u15 unit, 29-19, there is a steely determination to meet Rotorua head-on. They are big; it can be brutal.

This is the first year of first 15 competition between Gisborne BHS and Rotorua for the Craig Callaghan Memorial Trophy. Callaghan was the Head of Maori Studies at GBHS and a former assistant coach of both schools' first 15s.

School teams play for enjoyment, camaraderie, the thrill and test of competition. But if Gisborne needed one more reason to want to win tomorrow, the memory of a selfless mentor and coach qualifies.

GBHS first 15, 1-22: Kitini Taihuka, Matariki Kaa, Nathaniel Hauiti, Dylan Bronlund, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Nik Patumaka, Amos Roddick (captain), Khian Westrupp, Kirk Ngatai, Nic Proffit, Isaiah Lemaua, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Von Huata, Corbyn Peach, Bryan Howard. Reserves: Zeke Collier, Sione Mafileo, Max Briant, Sam Twigley, Kyran Russell, Henare Lardelli-Clarke, King Maxwell.

GBHS second 15, 1-22: Moeaki Mosati, Henare Lardelli-Clarke, Hayze Nepia, Saylahr Paaka, Matiu Anderson, Jacob Storey, Sam Twigley, Sitiveni Tuilautala, Israel Fox, Whakaruru Waitai-Te Kurupa, Siope Fakahokotau, Xavier Henare (c), Adrian Wharehinga-McDonald, Jayrieon Te Ahu Ahu, Mikaere Marino-Moore. Reserves: Drake Wanoa, Keegan Jooste, Haeora King, Rewiti Ropiha, Kulistofa Tatapu, Silas Brown, Taimana Teneti.

GBHS u15s, 1-21: Ratu Nairoroi, Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Levi Cameron, Joe Kemp, Latrell Walker, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Braith Ingram (c), Reuben Whatiri, Te Aowera Para, Gibson Poi, Cohen Loffler, Lehi Te Hau, Kallen Edwards, Trey Bryant, Luka Russell. Reserves: Jimmy Moore, Simon Hauiti, Levi Soto, Brayden Maxwell, Maui Kururangi, Angus Henry.

GBHS u14s, 1-21: Malosi Luafalealo, Tyrese Nikola, Wheturangi McGhee, Eugene Paul, Cody Tarei, Clayton Wright, Puna Hihi (c), Luke Bidois, Liam Beattie, Safin Tuwairua-Brown, Tyrese Thomas, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, Api Kirkpatrick, Timuaki Stewart, Wade Perrett. Reserves: Oliver Keepa-Fitzsimmons, Luke Patumaka, Maia Campbell, Torrence Kennedy, Connor Paenga, Soloman O'Connor (injured).