Poverty Bay, East Coast derby in Gisborne to kick off 2025 Heartland Championship

Competition rugby returns to Gisborne's Rugby Park on Saturday when Poverty Bay host Ngati Porou East Coast in the opening round of the Heartland Championship. Redevelopment work continues in earnest at the park and while there is no roof on the grandstand, fans will have access to the lower section, where new seating has been installed. Saturday's game will also feature the return of Poverty Bay's traditional mascot, Willie the Weka, and a sponsors' sprint race. Photo / Chris Taewa

Everyone not already on tenterhooks will be by 2.30pm Saturday.

The opening round of the 2025 Heartland Championship not only pits Poverty Bay Weka and Ngati Porou East Coast Kaupoi against each other for the 179th time in their proud history, it is also the return of rugby to Rugby Park after a hiatus since October 2022.

While a major redevelopment of the park continues, the show will go on and the ground looked a picture on Thursday afternoon.

The Bay go in with 128 wins to NPEC’s 45 in this always eagerly anticipated derby.

The Sky Blues beat Poverty Bay 28-22 in Ruatōria on King’s Birthday weekend to retain the PJ Sayers Cup, played for when the sides meet in games on the Coast.

And they won last year’s Heartland match between the sides 23-17, also in Ruatōria.

But the Bay beat the Kaupoi 50-12 on King’s Birthday weekend last year to retain the Anaru “Skip” Paenga Memorial Trophy, played for when the sides clash in Gisborne.

Both teams go into Saturday’s game on the back of warm-up matches last weekend – the Bay losing 48-14 to Hawke’s Bay Saracens in Napier, the Coast going down 40-31 to Eastern Bay of Plenty at Tolaga Bay.

“We defended well in the first half, [had] great connection and also, in winning collisions, forced some errors from the Hawke’s Bay Saracens,” said Poverty Bay’s new head coach Paoraian Manuel-Harman.

“Once we were in possession, we put together some good phases to truck our way into the wind, out of our own territory ... and so tomorrow our goal is to be dominant. We want to dominate and then score some entertaining tries.”

Among those to stand out in the Saracens game were second five Billy Ropiha, who last turned out for Poverty Bay in 2013, and High School Old Boys openside flanker Ryan Jones, who made a try-saving cover tackle and scored the Bay’s second try late in the game.

The Bay will be led on Saturday by blindside flanker Keanu Taumata.

They will also debut (at Heartland level) North Harbour player Taylor Adams (who played in the Saracens game) at first five. Adams is an ex-Southland and New Zealand Under-20 representative, who played two Super Rugby games for the Melbourne Rebels in 2018.

While EBOP retained the Basil Simpson Trophy against the Coast, many of the home side’s big guns fired and scored tries to boot – loosehead prop Manahi Brooking, scrum anchor Perrin Manuel, No.8 Manaia Nyman, centre KC Wilson and fullback Leethan Tipene-Rawiri.

The Coast will be led on Saturday by centre Apirana Pewhairangi, with Manuel vice-captain.

Of particular interest will be the inclusion of ex-Wellington Lions halfback Sheridan Rangihuna, son of Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay representative the late Api Rangihuna.

Sam Fellows (Bay of Plenty) is referee, with Matt Smith and Keelyn Smith his assistants.

Admittance is by gold coin. No alcohol is allowed and only players and officials can park behind the grandstand.

POVERTY BAY WEKA, 1-15: George Ormond, Ngahiwi Manuel, Nik Patumaka, Harawira Kahukura, Leka Palusa, Keanu Taumata (c), Ryan Jones, Uini Fetalaiga, Henry Saker, Tayler Adams, Matthew Proffit, Anthony Karauria, Lennox Shanks, Nashwen Mouton, Kyoni Te Amo-Poki. Res: Saigeon Carmichael, Iose Brown, Ratu Nairoroi, Jokatama Cewa, Atonio Marewai, Silas Brown, George Halley, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora.

NGATI POROU EAST COAST KAUPOI, 1-15: Manahi Brooking, Manaaki Aranui, Perrin Manuel (vc), Gabe Te Kani, Hoani Te Moana, Rico Te Kani, Jack Richardson, Willie Bolingford, Sheridan Rangihuna, Wharenui Hawera, KC Wilson, Leigh Bristowe, Apirana Pewhairangi (c), Kris Palmer, Leethan Tipene-Rawiri. Res: Tristan Rutene, Jayden Leiua-Pokia, Micky Huriwaka, Uetaha Wanoa, Te Aotahi Tuhaka, Hamuera Moana, Carlos Kemp, Treymaine Butler.