Hawke’s Bay had a bigger forward pack. Even so, Poverty Bay MVP (most valuable player) and lock Keanu Wainohu-Kemp, 15, claimed ball at kick-off, and won lineout ball against bigger opponents and off their own throw.
Lock Khian Westrupp came off the bench in the second half and ran hard.
Bay captain and openside flanker Dylan Hall led by example, making cover tackles and turning ball over at rucks.
Sweeney said that prop Nehe Papuni carried the ball strongly, although Poverty Bay would only have had 30 percent possession, whereas Hawke’s Bay would have had 60 percent of field position.”
Poverty Bay trailed 17-0 at the break.
Hooker Reef Roberts broke their duck with a try 15 minutes into the second half, after Hawke’s Bay were penalised on four successive occasions on their five-metre line.
Papuni took the tap-kick on the fourth penalty and Roberts scored five metres to the left of the posts.
Left-winger Te Korewai Reihana scored the Bay’s second five-pointer, a team try of the highest order, in the last minute of the game.
From a ruck on Hawke’s Bay’s 22-metre line, 10 metres in from the right touchline, the ball went through six pairs of hands before Reihana ran 15 metres to score in the left corner.
Both Reihana and Roberts were reserves — all seven of whom, under Hurricanes Rugby Youth Council rules — came on at half-time.
Poverty Bay defended for the first 15 minutes of the game, before Hawke’s Bay scored in the right corner following 12 phases of play.
Hawke’s Bay coach Matt Wyatt said it was difficult to know what was in store for a team playing Poverty Bay.
Their convincing win against East Coast had sent a strong message.
“Our MVP was our captain, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, of the Hastings Boys’ High School first 15,” Wyatt said.
“He scored two tries and kicked four conversions from second-five.
“Both sides played positive, attacking rugby and Poverty Bay are certainly in the running at the Hurricanes tournament despite the loss.”
Sweeney said he was proud of his team’s defence. First-five Matt Proffit, second-five Poumana Gemmell, centre Niko Lauti and halfback Braedyn Grant all tackled well. Poverty Bay were able to run only four backline moves, one of which produced a try.
“The big thing is self-belief, communication,” he said.
“The coaching staff know that the boys have got the goods to be competitive at this level.
“Wellington will be a quality team, but for us it’s about applying what we’ve worked on and remembering what we’ve learned under pressure . . . keeping our composure.”
