Such are the season-by-season ups and downs of most schools, and droughts can be long. Even for those with a large population, catchment and hostel facility, the past 25 years of high-quality Super 8 play have been demanding.
The Nathaniel Hauiti-led Gisborne team go to Akina, having lost 30-10 to a capable Palmerston North side first-up and in the past fortnight going down to Napier (27-20) and Rotorua (36-0). All three of these were losses at home.
Tighthead prop Hauiti has more than held his own in those matches. He, vice-captain and lock Max Briant and No.8 Nik Patumaka lead by example in the forwards, whose scrummaging has improved week by week. In this Game 4, Hayze Nepia and Paul Tovio are in at loosehead prop and hooker respectively for Zeke Collier and Matariki Kaa, while injuries to Matiu Anderson and Tyla Keelan-Phillips have necessitated Uetaha Wanoa — GBHS centre against Rotorua — starting in the second-row with Briant. Lively Karlos Howe is in at first-five for King Maxwell and Taimana Teneti replaces Siope Fakahokotau on the right-wing.
GBHS will be relying on their well-performed, well-disciplined back-row of Dylan Bronlund, Ben Phelps and Patumaka to do more of what they have been doing: making ground, making their tackles . . . the whole bit.
Hastings began their Super 8 campaign with a 23-13 win at home against Palmerston North and followed that up with a 16-8 win away in the local derby with Napier BHS. Akina played excellent rugby against Napier and are riding high.
“We know what’s coming down State Highway 2 and we’re keen to play Gizzy,” said Hastings’ second-year captain No.8 Cooper Flanders. “We’ve played well to win two from two and trained well this week. We’re hoping to keep the streak we’re on going.”
From 2020, loosehead prop Aone Lolofie, Flanders, the halfback-first-five pairing of Piripi King-Panapa and Hoera Stephenson, and Mefi Tupou are back for Akina, with Tupou having moved from the left-wing to centre.
Hastings won their last home game v GBHS 38-7 in 2019. The 2018 match was a 24-13 win to Akina. In 2017, Hastings recorded a 68-0 win at the Rectory, their highest ever score and margin of victory versus Gisborne.
Both 2016 (22-7) and 2015 (21-17) also went their way, with Gisborne’s last win against Hastings the 21-11, Round 3 encounter in 2014. They beat Hastings 44-29 in 2012, 45-0 in their Super 8-winning season of 2011 and 60-25 the year before that.
Tighthead prop Hauiti was an enormous contributor in both of GBHS’ Super 8 wins last year, against Hastings and Napier. He said: “The boys and I are feeling good. We’ve put last week’s game to one side and are now focused on Saturday.”
Tomorrow at 12pm, the time of kick-off in the first 15 game, the temperature in Hastings is expected to be 17 degrees with a nor’ westerly breeze prevailing in front of what can be a crowd in the high hundreds. Gisborne BHS teams have always been well-received at Akina.
On Field 1, Joshua Strong and his assistant referees Jimmy Waerea and Luke Cunningham will control the first 15 game from 12pm, with Cunningham in charge of the second 15s on F2 at 10.30am. Waerea will be on F3 for the under 15s come 10.30am with Richard Baines to do duty in the u14s fixture on F3 at 9.15am.
Hayze Nepia, Paul Tovio, Nathaniel Hauiti (c), Uetaha Wanoa, Max Briant (v), Dylan Bronlund, Ben Phelps, Nik Patumaka, Kyran Russell, Karlos Howe, Izaiah Fox, Joshua Whyte, Paraina Davies, Taimana Teneti, Carlos Hihi. R: Reweti Ropiha, Charlie Mathias, Zeke Collier, Matariki Kaa, Puna Hihi, Israel Fox, Siope Fakahokotau.
Aone Lolofie, Josh Rautahi, Avian Rihia, Tom Allen, Taufa Kaufononga, Kaihau Pasikala, James Pese, Cooper Flanders (c), Phillip King-Panapa, Hoera Stephenson, Josiah Sakaria, Tali Ioasa, Mefi Tupou, Alex Dickey, Bryson Crawford-Pakoti. R: Vikta Tevita, John Palu, Maiti Leef, Josh Leach, Oscar Ritchie, Jordi Viljoen, Preston Whatarau.
Tupuhi Gardner, Matariki Kaa, Levi Cameron, Daniel Tamanui, Reuben Whatiri, Kerry Hohepa, Braith Ingram, Charlie Mathias, Kauri Christie, Kaiaio Tangira, Trey Bryant, Xavier Henare-Brown (c), Silas Brown, Dante Kirkpatrick, Hawaiiki Tu Nepe. R: Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Nathaniel Niwa-Karakia, Ratu Nairoiroi, Noah Torrence-Cribb, Oshae Waihi, Kaia Gate, Cohen Loffler.
Malachi Kireka-Keefe, Detroit Thompson-Marsh, Angus Todd, Fletcher Bainbridge, Schalk Fourie, Rudy Ioasa (c), Manaia Hauti, Rico Harris, Noah Edmonds, Izaiah Tuliau, Sione Faakanga, Bryson Ioane, William Underwood, Ruan Kruger, Hunter Yarrall. R: Timoti Heke, Tiaki Flutey, Ollie Ritchie, Reef Luxford, Otu Noa.
Malosi Luafalealo, Tyrese Nikola, Whetu McGhee, Eugene Paul (v), Cody Tarei, Will Rouse, Maia Campbell, Zion Birch, Liam Beattie (c), Wade Perrett, Tyrese Thomas, Kelan Bryant, Api Kirkpatrick, Timuaki Stewart, Torence Kennedy. R: Bekko Page, Simione Falefoou, Kalani Ensor, Sol O’Connor, Kane Soto, Logan Bruce, Impala Waipara.
Elijah Taupare, Tim Matelino, JJ Iosefu-Lilo, Divaan Singh, Rico Kara, Sterling Moat, TJ Tupai, Misi Scott (c), Noah Iosa, Kahleal Pace Reti, Isi Qaraivalu, Yuri Demsey, Iziah Matamata, Rhys Kawana, Rynan Dittmer. R: Lachlan Varcoe, Aporo Setu, Ben Vekene, Koston McDonald, Ritchie Stephenson, Essex Tutaki, Jarome Prebbell-Morell.
Kane Soto, Oakley Brown-Terekia, Tahu Mackey, Rawiri Jones, Sam Gaddum, Logan Bruce, Lykhin Poihipi (c), Te Marangai Lamont-Milner, George Gillies, Maxwell Kennedy, Sonny Tairakena, Impala Waipere, Manaia Reeves, Jayden Tihore-Edwards, Kahurangi Leach-Waihi. R: Jaiah Garrett-Kora. R: Jaiah Garrett-Kora, Tomasi Mataele, Kyan Ayton, Fraser Wainohu, Sione Metui, Phoenix Pardoe-Crosby, Jayden De Thier, Jaxon Mackey.
Almiji Taufa, JJ Iosefo-Lilo (c), Donny Laubscher, Reed Paewae, Eli Southwick, Riley Tautau, Rhys Lewellyn, Nehemiah Nemiah, France Tavita, Cassius Marsh, Panapa Lambert, Triumph Voice, Saolotoga Lameko, Paeroto Aoura, Hawaikirangi Jackson. R: PJ Peivi, Ruan Botha, Richie Stephenson, Ashton Robertson.
