Super way to finish

HIT THE DECK: Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 lock Ofa Tauatavalu is upended in their final Super 8 match against Tauranga Boys’ College on the Rectory field. Tauatavalu was a dominant force in the lineout, particularly in the first half, and was among Gisborne’s four try-scorers. All pictures by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 farewelled their home Rectory field for the season with a brilliant 28-5 Super 8 win against Tauranga Boys’ College on Saturday.

In successfully defending the Kane Trophy, Boys’ High captain and openside flanker Dylan Hall and 10 other players marked their last home game with a near-perfect first half.

They led 21-0 at the break, with first-five-eighth Quinn Collard converting tries from hooker Billy Priestley, right-winger Matt Proffit and fullback Moses Christie.

In the second half, Collard converted lock Ofa Tauatavalu’s try to make it 28-0.

The visitors were rewarded for their second-half efforts with a try to left-winger Harrison Shaw on fulltime.

The ball-handling skills of both teams was top-notch, despite heavy rain throughout.

Gisborne made only two handling errors in the first half.

Tauatevalu dominated the lineout before the break but Tauranga lock Ryan Bosselman and his lifters ruled the roost in the second half.

“We were stoked with the win and performance, especially in those conditions,” said Gisborne head coach Mark Jefferson although he pointed out that they had played at least as well in losses to Palmerston North (23-21) and Hamilton (26-17).

Gisborne played with intensity and aggressive intent from the kick-off. They were well-organised up front, displaying skilful short passing and strong body position.

“Our forwards knuckled down in the first half and executed the game plan,” said Jefferson.

Gisborne’s backs took the direct approach required in wet weather rugby and two of their tries stood out for straight running, accurate passing and players running on to the ball.

Collard played for Rotorua in 2017 and is one of a number of Gisborne players worthy of consideration for higher honours.

“I’ve loved the closeness of this team, this first 15 and the culture,” he said. “I felt comfortable right from the start — like family.”

The visitors were courageous, none more so than diminutive 15-year-old halfback Flynn Henderson.

First fives who are faint of heart don’t do well at the Rectory field. Tauranga No.10 Jake Broadmore passed that character test.

Props Kaharoa Takuira-Mita and Jared Ruwhiu-Bott are mobile and scrummaged well, while Tauranga’s player of the day was captain/No.8 Shie Jie Yong, who carried the ball powerfully.

Tauranga coach Dan Goodwin, assisted by Gisborne Boys’ High first 15 old boy Richard Apanui, said it was “frustrating to watch at times. It wasn’t easy out there”.

A fine display by referee Royce Maynard in testing conditions was worth special mention.

Gisborne finished Super 8 pool play in sixth, ahead of New Plymouth on points differential and Tauranga.

Hamilton completed a perfect record of seven from seven with a 26-0 shut-out of Hastings for 35 points, five ahead of Napier, with Hastings (23) third. Hamilton and Napier will meet in the Super 8 final on August 11.

This win’s for the coaches: GBHS 2nd 15Gisborne Boys’ High second 15 beat their Tauranga counterparts 12-10 at the Rectory on Saturday and dedicated the victory to their coaches.

Gisborne scored two tries to one and led 7-3 at the break.

Tighthead prop Isaiah Kiwara scored Gisborne’s first try, converted by fullback De-Villa Pirihi-Coutts.

Captain/hooker Seth Lundon scored the second as Gisborne notched their first Super 8 win since August 6 of 2016.

“We’re very happy with that finish to the season; the boys had a much better attitude on defence,” said head coach Graeme Newlands, whose side finished seventh in the Super 8 after being eighth last year.

“We’re stoked. It could have gone either way but we were able to hang on,” said Lundon, who, with Pirihi-Coutts, blindside flanker Keanu Wainohu, left-wing Keane Williams and centre Hunter Tangira, played their last game at the Rectory.

No.8 Blake Beard was unable to take the field through injury in what would have been his last game for Gisborne.

“We wanted to do it for the coaches — Mr Newlands, Sam Cairns and Willie Waitoa — for the time they’ve put in and bringing us closer as a team,” said Lundon.

n GISBORNE Boys’ High under-15s, led by No.8 Lochi Mead, forged a 19-7 halftime lead and went on to beat Tauranga 31-19.

Try-scorers for Gisborne were hooker Matariki Kaa, openside flanker Jackson McDonald, centre Whetu King-Taufa, tighthead prop and player of the day Kitini Taihuka and left-winger Caleb Billington. Second-five Anaru Paenga-Morgan kicked three conversions.

Gisborne’s under-14s side led their Tauranga Boys’ College counterparts 14-10 at the break but eventually went down 29-19.

Lock Dylan Bronlund scored two tries before halftime, both converted by captain, first five and player of the day Carlos Hihi.

Gisborne’s only second-half try was scored by reserve right-winger Steven Huata.

The u14s will compete at the Colquhoun invitation tournament in Palmerston North from September 3-5, having been third of the eight teams in 2017.

The u15s will not be competing at the annual Hurricanes tournament in Wellington but play in Tauranga on September 4 and in Auckland over September 5 to 8.

Gisborne’s u15s play Napier Boys’ High on August 16 and the u15s and u14s face Te Aute College away on August 25. The u15s will play Te Aute’s 2nd 15 while the 14s face TA’s u15s.