The magic touch

IPS CHAMPS: The Turanganui a Kiwa under-12 boys team who won their grade at the Central Inter Provincial Series touch tournament in Palmerston North are, back row (from left): Co-coaches Rob Kora and Mike Kora. Middle: Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, Liam Nepe, Liam Beattie, Terrance Waru-Hopa, Mahue Mauheni, Safin Tuwairua-Brown, Khadyn Kora and Kahurangi Leach-Waihi. Front: Solomon O’Connor, Allies Rangihuna, Wade Perrett and Logan Bruce. Picture supplied

TURANGA Touch under-12 boys marked their first appearance at the Central Inter Provincial Series (IPS) in Palmerston North by winning the title.

To do it the Turanganui a Kiwa boys had to beat Wellington, who had defeated Turanga 3-1 in pool play.

Wellington scored first in the final before Mahue Mauheni equalised almost immediately and the sides went to the halftime break level at 1-1.

“We (coaches Mike and Rob Kora) didn’t have to say anything to the boys at halftime. They knew they could win it,” said Mike Kora.

“They knew they hadn’t played their best in the pool game and their attitude was ‘we haven’t travelled all this way to lose’, and the boys deserve all the credit.”

Logan Bruce put TAK ahead shortly after the interval, only for Wellington to equalise.

Quaydon Chaffey-Kora restored TAK’s lead then Allies Rangihuna increased the gap with a try.

However, Wellington refused to roll over and reduced the deficit in an exciting last 12 minutes.

Safin Tuwairua-Brown, who co-captained TAK with Chaffey-Kora, sealed the win, making for an enjoyable trip home.

Mike Kora said Quaydon and Safin led by example throughout the tournament.

“All 12 players contributed to the success but we have to single out Kahu Leach-Waihi and Allies Rangihuna, who were outstanding.”

TAK opened the tournament with a 5-1 win against Whanganui, then lost 3-2 to Wellington.

“We were lucky to have drawn the pool with only three teams whereas the other pool had four.

“We made the playoffs on countback and booked our place in the final when we beat Taranaki 3-0.”

“Rob and I were rapt for the parents who travelled and for the boys . . .to win it at the first attempt was awesome.

“We also owe a huge thanks to TK (Moeke) and his wife Lahaina, who organised everything.

“If it wasn’t for TK and Lahaina we wouldn’t be competing in the IPS series.”

Five other Turanga Touch teams competed at the tournament.

The under-12yrs girls finished third after losing their semifinal 2-1 to Manawatu, then beating Taranaki for third.

“Seven of the team will remain in this age group for next year,” said TK Moeke, a Heartland Championship provincial rugby player who has played at touch world cups in Scotland and Australia.

TAK u14yrs boys lost their final 5-2 to Manawatu.

“They went on to compete in the under-16 grade the following day for more game time.

TAK u14 girls team finished second equal with Whanganui in their pool but missed out on the semis on countback.

Mike Kora said it was a great achievement.

“This team had only one experienced touch player (Kaden Moeke). The other nine were new to the game.”

TK Moeke said the u18yrs boys and girls teams met the intensity and skill level of the opposing teams with narrow losses.

“The majority of both teams are young for the u16 grade.