Turanganui a Kiwa u16 do it tough

ON THE BURST: Turanganui a Kiwa under-16 loosehead prop Cameron Maaka leads the charge against the Waikato Maori u16s at Rugby Park yesterday. Picture by Paul Rickard

THE Turanganui a Kiwa under-16 rugby team lost 27-12 to their Waikato Maori counterparts at Rugby Park yesterday.

The home side were not helped by a yellow card to hooker Tyrin Wyllie and a straight red card to replacement player Keanu Barbarich.

Wyllie, who scored Turanganui’s try in the final play of the game and who otherwise played well, was sinbinned late in the second of four 20-minute quarters. Ahead 12-0, Waikato took advantage and extended their lead with a third try.

The visitors stretched the scoreline out to 22-0 by the end of the third quarter.

Turanganui a Kiwa second five-eighth Billy Priestley, another who played well, closed the gap with an unconverted try before Waikato came back with a converted try.

With 10 minutes remaining, Barbarich was sent off for abusing assistant referee Ray Young and referee Caleb Greaves.

The 14 men rose to the challenge and had the final say — a try to Wyllie.

Turanganui a Kiwa coach Steve Smith said it was always going to be difficult for the team, with limited time together, but he was happy with the effort.

“The front row (Cameron Maaka, Tyrin Wyllie and Wirihana Raihana) did it tough but hung in,” Smith said.

“Billy Priestley, Jason Kemp, Jayden Akurangi and Troy Harrison all played well.”