Waaka named in PB squad

JUST CAUGHT: Andrew Tauatevalu, from High School Old Boys, is tackled by Steve Nasove, of Pirates-GMC, at the Turanga Sevens at Rugby Park on Saturday. Tauatevalu has been named in the Poverty Bay sevens squad. Picture by Liam Clayton

New Zealand rugby sevens representative Beaudein Waaka is the headline act for the Poverty Bay men’s squad named this week.

Waaka made his debut for New Zealand in 2015 and played for the national side as recently as October last year.

He played for the Contract Consultants Poverty Bay 15s team in the Heartland Championship this year at fullback and first five-eighth.

The Poverty Bay sevens squad are preparing for the Central Region sevens in Levin at the end of this month. It’s a qualifier for the national sevens at Tauranga next month.

The naming of the team came after the Turanga Sevens, held at Rugby Park on Saturday. Pirates-GMC won the men’s section, going through the tournament unbeaten and defeating High School Old Boys in the final.

Power forward Solomoni Rasari and speedster Ratu Viliame were among the players who impressed from Pirates-GMC.

Poverty Bay coach James Warren said Andrew Tauatevalu stood out at the Turanga Sevens.

Tauatevalu had an eye-catching season of club rugby 15s for High School Old Boys and played at fullback, wing and centre for Poverty Bay in the Heartland Championship.

Warren said he also linked well at the Turanga event with his younger brother Ofa Tauatevalu, who is also in the squad.

Nicolas Carrizo, Ethine Reeves and Jake Holmes are other 15s reps in the sevens squad.

Te Peehi Fairlie didn’t wear the scarlet jersey in the 2019 Heartland Championship but has a good step and was one of the best players in the first Town against Country fixture — essentially a trial for Poverty Bay — this season. Dynamic Ngatapa loose forward Chase Sheridan, the Poverty Bay under-20s 15s captain, is also in the squad.

Warren also named Sam Middleton, Nic Proffit, Amanakinoa Tonga and Niko Lauti as development players.

Poverty Bay decided not to attend a Napier Old Boys Marist sevens event this weekend, because of injuries and prior commitments.

They have a training day with Hawke’s Bay the following weekend.

POVERTY BAY: Matthew Proffit, Nicolas Carrizo, Solomoni Rasari, Ratu Viliame, Epi Matanakilagi, Ethine Reeves, Jake Holmes, Andrew Tauatevalu, Ofa Tauatevalu, Te Peehi Fairlie, Chase Sheridan, Beaudein Waaka, Tevita Lataipangai, Eferemo Verebalau.