GISBORNE Boys’ High School first 15 coach Tom Cairns says his team are looking forward to taking on Hastings Boys’ High at the Rectory field tomorrow (12.30 kick-off).
“They’re an outstanding team,” said Cairns, whose side are coming off successive Super 8 losses — 24-19 to Rotorua and 22-21 toNapier — after beating Palmerston North 29-27 in their opening game. “Hastings have played two and won two. They put 40 points on Palmerston North Boys’ High and beat Napier Boys’ High 25-3.
“It’s our first game at home in four weeks and it’s going to be a challenge. It’s been a ridiculous season with injuries, a revolving door, but hopefully we’ll have Naera Tipoki (flanker), Jakob Teneti (flanker) and Colby Putnam (hooker) fit for this weekend.”
All three were in sensational form at the start of the season before being injured.
“We can’t rely on individuals. It has to be a team effort,” Cairns said. “Even though we have been understrength lately, we lost our last two games late on when we were in front.”
Cairns said the boys showed “great spirit” to come from 17-6 down at halftime to Rotorua last week to lead 19-17 through a try to Jarryd Broughton and a conversion and two penalties from Austin Brown.
“Rotorua hit back when they were awarded a penalty, kicked for touch and then drove over after winning the lineout.”
