“It was a great team effort, and a draw against the defending champions at home feels just as good as a win.
“We were lucky to have Paddy Allen (No.8) back for the first time this season — he was a force at the lineout — but our scrum was strong, we scored tries up front from the pick-and-go and tries out wide with Mikaere Murray (first five-eighth) running the back-line.”
Moana Mato made a solid return to duty for TVC at centreMoana Mato made a solid return to duty for TVC at centre, having missed the previous two weeks with a sprained left ankle.
“On Saturday — due to injuries and other commitments — we missed our whole starting front row of Rika Mato, Shane Forsyth and Rawiri Waititi — and old head Verdon Bartlett in the midfield,” he said.
“Leadership in those areas is crucial and City put pressure on us. They kept things tight and played exceptionally well.”
Barbarich, Hurricanes Development rep Allen, 16-year-old right wing Ricky Grace and fullback Quentin Takarangi were City’s tryscorers, with centre Nathaniel Fox kicking a penalty and two conversions.
Openside flanker Jack Scott was named City’s player of the day for a terrier-like match effort at the breakdown and in defence.
TVC tries were scored by player of the day and game-day captain Hoani Te Moana, his locking partner William Ford, blindside flanker Charles Ngamoki, No.8 Solomon Vaka and right wing Whetu Tukaki. First-five Rapata Haerewa kicked one conversion.
TVC led 17-5 at the breakTVC led 17-5 at the break and were grateful for the tough showing of Te Moana and hard-running left wing Hubert Matchitt, among others.
“Hoani led by example,” player-coach and hooker Whetu Haerewa said.
“He and Solomon carried the ball well in a game that was a little stop-start to begin with.
“I take my hat off to (referee) Troy Para — he was consistent and also patient.”
From Tukaki’s Herculean effort 15 minutes into the game (he carried four men with him as he dotted down in the right corner) to Allen’s heaving equaliser in the left corner on fulltime, the drama was unrelenting.
TVC second-five Ben Houia received a yellow card in the 68th minute and City’s Takarangi received a yellow card with two minutes remaining.
TVC having led 10-0 early on, it was Ruatoria fullback Takarangi’s try that got City back into the game.
Muller said: “This was a morale-booster — we had four young players (in the team) and two subs . . . by the end. I’m proud of the boys and the boys are proud of themselves.”
