Promise shows early

Finding Space: Ngāti Porou East Coast's Patrick Allen runs through a gap during their Queen's Birthday game against the Poverty Bay Wekas at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria. The Sky Blues head into Round 1 of the Heartland Championship this weekend playing host to Horowhenua. Picture by Paul Rickard

The Ngāti Porou East Coast look like producing rockin' rugby in the style of last year ahead of this Saturday's Heartland Championship season opener at Ruatoria.

Having run in seven tries to defeat Eastern Bay of Plenty 39-12 at Princess Street Reserve, the Hosea Gear-coached Sky Blues lost to Bay of Plenty Ngāwhā at Whakatāne's Rugby Park at the weekend.

The BoP development team won 59-19 and their halftime lead was 24-12, but their head coach Callum Retallick was more than happy to give the visitors their due: “Their structure and defensive lineout were really good and their off-loads and play past the gain-line were impressive. In a 15-minute period before the break they scored two tries, drew level at 12-12 in the 22nd minute — from a coaching point of view, the team that can extend a pressure period from 15, to 20, to 30, extends that moment, goes close to winning the game.

“At halftime we said we had to be consistent at the scrum, not see-saw back and forth at each engagement. Willie Bolingford at openside flanker, second-five Joe Wadman and fullback Kris Palmer were dangerous once the Coast had front-foot ball.

“Their discipline was excellent too. It can't be an easy thing to get guys from far and wide to assemble with everyone on the same page, but Hosea's done it. They've all bought into it.”

A crowd of 300 took in the vigorous encounter under BoP referee Jaco Brouwer, who controlled the Coast's 39-12 win against Eastern Bay of Plenty at Princess Street Reserve in Opōtiki on August 6.

Halfback Sam Parkes and loosehead prop Joe Royal, who scored the Coast's opening try against Eastern Bay, took the helm from blindside flanker Paddy Allen and fullback Te Rangi Fraser.

Bay of Plenty Ngāwhā, under second five-eighth Seamus Bardoul, kicked off into a mild breeze and hooker Jaya More drew first blood four minutes into the game. Left-footed first-five Junior Matautia kicked a conversion for More but was unable to do the same for right wing Jona Mataiciwa in the 12th minute.

After 17 minutes, Coast hooker Jorian Tangaere held on to a phenomenal inside pass from first-five Carlos Kemp to score 16m off the right touch. Kemp converted Tangaere's try to close it to 12-7, but was unable to oblige Parkes in the 22nd minute. NPEC had drawn level at 12-12.

BoP loosehead prop Alex Johnston broke the deadlock with a try from a lineout drive in the 32nd minute. Matautia then landed his second conversion for 19-12. On the cusp of halftime, the Sky Blues were dealt a tough hand when, having turned the ball over in their own 22, Nga Wha fullback Sekuini Tanimo cut off the left touch to score in dazzling style.

The hosts led 24-12 at halftime.

In the 51st minute, Matautia intercepted a Coast pass and ran 52 metres to score under the bar. He converted that for 31-12, and Tanimo's second try — a splendid finish in the left corner — 53 minutes in, for 38-12.

With 56 minutes up on the clock, Kemp freed up yet another class pass, this time for fullback Kris Palmer. He scored his first representative try for Ngāti Porou since 2017. Reserve Api Pewhairangi converted to close it to 38-19.

Mataiciwa made it a double in the 65th minute: Matautia's boot ensured that the score became 45-19, with lock Etonia Waqa going 58m down the right sideline to score alongside the posts in the 71st minute.

Ngāwhā fetcher Taituha Woller scored the 12th and last try of the game under the crossbar in the 77th minute. Matautia's conversion wound things up at 59-19.

BoP punished the Coast harshly for virtually every mistake the visitors made, but NPEC showed great promise as well.

The errors did not involve a lack of discipline or rugby sense. Rather they involved micro-skills — a loose ball at the lineout, a 50-50 pass. These things were never going to escape head coach Gear's attention — and have already been addressed.

The Sky Blues have new steel in their forward pack, and backs to put points on the board. The Heartland Championship is tough rugby but this outing, that against Eastern Bay and the clash with the Poverty Bay Weka at Queen's Birthday Weekend have all been vital and invaluable in the scheme of things — all good-quality opponents, well run and fit.

NGĀTI POROU EAST COAST KAUPOI 19 (Jorian Tangaere, Sam Parkes, Kris Palmer, tries; Carlos Kemp, Api Pewhairangi con)

Bay of Plenty NgāWhā 59 (Sekuini Tanimo 2, Jona Mataiciwa 2, Jaya More, Alex Johnston, Junior Matautia, Etonia Waqa, Taituha Woller, tries; Junior Matautia 7 con). HT: 24-12.

MVP (most valuable player) awards — NPEC: to be confirmed. BOP: Taituha Woller/Junior Matautia.