The defending champions did their 100-plus hale and hearty supporters proud with a great performance on Saturday. Their MVP (most valuable player), fullback Sean Taylor, scored two tries in Wairoa Athletic's five-try tally.
Left-footed Athletic centre Moss Doran opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a penalty goal from eight metres to the left of the posts at the 22 for 3-0, and in the 10th minute landed a 42m kick from centrefield for 6-0.
After 25 minutes, Athletic set a scrum 28m from Pirates' goal-line, five metres to the left of the posts; four phases of play later, No.8 Aaron Ioane scored the first try of the match eight metres to the right of the posts. A Doran conversion made the score 13-0.
In the 29th minute, Wairoa Athletic scored from a scrum set 20m into Turanga Pirates' territory, 15m off the left touch. Three passes to the right preceded Taylor hitting the back-line like a hammer to score in the corner. Doran converted the first of Taylor's two tries for 20-0.
In the 31st minute, the visitors went from the right touch, 15m into Pirates half, to the left corner for a try to halfback Angus Twigley.
Twigley's try was not converted, so Wairoa Athletic were 25-0 up.
Then came the turnover try of the day. Pirates set a solid scrum platform 10m on their own side of halfway, 10m off the right touch. The Buccaneers made 18m with strong, surging play but turned the ball over and four passes later, right wing Jeffery Ismail blew by two would-be tacklers to score in the corner.
Doran's conversion sent the teams to the break with Athletic 32-0 up.
Five minutes after the resumption, Pirates scored a fantastic try. Six phases of play ensued in pick-and-go mode: hooker Moui Paongo scored for the home team four meres to the right of the posts. The determination, body position and technique of the Buccaneers in the lead-up to it was excellent: strong, purposeful rugby.
Left-footed first five-eighth Tyreke Casey converted Paongo's try for Pirates 7, Wairoa Athletic 32.
In the 53rd minute, a missed attempt at penalty goal by Doran on the left side of the ground turned into a kick-and-chase try for Taylor in the right corner, without a conversion, for 37-7.
In the 29th minute, Pirates' giant Mason Apanui muscled his way home with their second try, five metres from the goal-line following another excellent build-up by the forward pack. Centre Henry-Troi Kepa converted Apanui's try and that of his fellow reserve, Trevor Edwards, 74 minutes in. Apanui, going right, rampaged almost to the goal-line before finding Edwards with a one-handed flick-pass. That Edwards should score and Kepa convert the last try of the game for Turanga Pirates 21, Wairoa Athletic 37, was poetic justice.
Pirates had tremendous ups and no real downs in an 11-game campaign. Having drawn twice during the year (22-all against the YMP Bumbles on both occasions), Kiwara's men can draw a great deal out of 2022.
Kiwara said: “It was a game of two halves: we started slowly and Wairoa had us under the pump from the kick-off. Our second-half effort, though, was massive and we stepped up 100 percent with a never-say-die attitude. One of my goals was to expose our boys' talent, get them playing well: we achieved that.
“I'm happy. Making the final was a massive achievement and our club is proud of this team.”
For Wairoa Athletic, finals and big-match experience told. They were able to elevate their play and express their flair, and without any arrogance. The late introduction of 6ft 10in (2.08m) reserve lock Adriaan Brits by Wairoa Athletic was a highlight. Brits is the tallest player in the 132-year history of Poverty Bay Rugby. He proceeded to win lineout ball, twice make clearing passes from the ruck and make some solid tackles.
Morunga said: “Our forwards laid the foundation for our backs to make attacking inroads, and Moss was great with the boot — up 32-0 at halftime, I couldn't ask any more of my boys. We went really well in the final, having saved our best for the last game. Everyone stood up to be counted.”
