Not that Parkes needed any more. The man known as “Cowboy” was playing his 50th match for the Coast and was instrumental in their drought-breaking victory. He scored two first-half tries in a Most Valuable Player performance and played the entire 80 minutes — a testament to his commitment and fitness.
The squad were further motivated by the passing of “true blue” supporter Ben Kaiwai. Players wore black armbands and a minute's silence was observed before kick-off.
From that and the traditional haka, the Coast sprang into action led powerfully by captain Hone Haerewa and directed superbly by first five-eighth Te Rangi Fraser, the only survivor from their last Heartland win (22-18 over Poverty Bay on September 28, 201..
Fraser, in a happy coincidence for the Coast, scored two tries in that Bay win and repeated the effort on Saturday in his sublime 25-point individual tally.
Nonu and Gear showed their class when they came on. A classic Gear run set up a try and Nonu disproved critics of his kicking game back in the day by popping one perfectly-weighted kick into the arms of Gear and also kicking a 50-22 to give the Coast a lineout on attack.
Wearing the socks of the Uawa club, Nonu further endeared himself to the fans by jumping on a horse and going for a trot after the match.
Nonu told Radio Ngati Porou Facebook watchers and listeners that his first-ever Heartland game was a “great” experience and that he was more than happy “to lend a hand to the brother (Gear)”.
Gear said the Coast team effort was “awesome” and he was extremely proud of all his players.
He pointed out that he, Nonu and Levave only came on when the victory was secure.
As to Nonu, Gear said “never in a million years would I have thought the brother would be here”.
Skipper Haerewa echoed the words of Gear in relation to the team performance and made special mention of Parkes.
“He's a true cowboy, leads from the front. All we had to do was follow him all day.”
Meanwhile, there was another numerical coincidence down the highway in Gisborne where Poverty Bay downed King Country at Rugby Park by exactly the same score — 50-26 — for their third win of the season.
The last time the Bay and the Coast won Heartland matches on the same day was October 6, 2012. The Coast went on to win the Meads Cup final that year with a memorable 29-27 comeback win over Whanganui.
The Bay's win on Saturday lifted them to fifth on the 12-team table and only two points behind Horowhenua-Kapiti.
The Coast are eighth although need to continue to win to have any chance of making the top six who will play off for three trophies — 1 v 2 (Meads Cup), 3 v 4 (Lochore Cup), 5 v 6 (yet-to-be-named cup.
One of those matches is against Poverty Bay in Gisborne on October 30 — a clash shaping up to be titanic.
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