‘We’re ready for war’

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Captain Hook features in Peter Pan, not Cinderella. But both are tales in which the underdog triumphs.

On 2022 results, the Anthony Kiwara-coached Turanga Pirates go into tomorrow's Civil Project Solutions Senior 1 club rugby final at Rugby Park against defending champions Charteris Choppers Wairoa Athletic as the underdogs.

They will play tomorrow for the Lew Patterson Cup in honour of the life member and Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union president who passed away in 2008.

Pirates head into the final with a record of five wins and two draws in their 11 games. They beat Nuhaka V8s 16-10 in the semifinals. Athletic have won nine from 11 — two of those victories over Pirates. They knocked out Roseland Tavern Tapuae 15-10 in the semis.

The Buccaneers' chances of winning lineout ball have improved with 2.08-metre lock and veterinarian Adriaan Brits — the tallest player in Poverty Bay Rugby's 132-year history — not in Athletic's game-day squad.

The Wairoa side will be led jointly by loosehead prop Alex Little and first-five Joe McGregor.

“The boys are fizzing,” Little said.

“We ironed out a few things at training this week and we're ready for war.”

Outstanding fetcher Ollie Rhodes, brothers Angus (halfback) and George (second-five) Twigley and goal-kicking centre and ex-Poverty Bay Heartland representative Moss Doran are all dangerous to Pirates' cause.

In terms of their own key men, Buccaneers second-five Nahau Holani got the 71st-minute try that propelled Pirates into this year's final.

Under inspirational captain and No.8 Patriah Kaliopasi, Pirates are “the home team” tomorrow and will feed off any support they get. Memories of Athletic's 17-0 and 31-17 wins against them in round-robin play will vanish if they start well.

“Our team can't wait for Saturday,” Kaliopasi said “For some of them, it'll be their first final. We came close last year — had to beat Athletic by seven points to make the final —but lost by two. We've had an amazing season. Whatever the outcome tomorrow, these boys have come a long way and I couldnt ask any more of them.”

Refereeing the final will be Ben Holt, who made his debut for Poverty Bay Rugby in the Turanga Combined v Wairoa Combined clash at Nuhaka Domain. Assisting him will be two of local rugby's institutions, Aaron Brown and Neville Barwick.

Wairoa Athletic: Alex Little (cc), Will Taylor, Daniel Knubley, Kalaney Ruwhiu, Brodie Taylor, Matthew Coppoolse, Ollie Rhodes, Aaron Ioane, Angus Twigley, Joe McGregor (cc), Douglas Vehikite, George Twigley, Moss Doran, Jeffery Ismail, Sean Taylor. R: BJ Stewart, Anthony Krawczyk, George Hunt, Turiki Tahuri, Fletcher Mildon, Damon Huata, Winiata Niania.

Turanga Pirates: Mango Halaifonua, Moui Paongo, Tupousau Haupeakui, Charlie Kepa, Setefano Tolu, Paula Tatafu, Manase Tupe, Patriah Kaliopasi (c), Jay Fangupo, Tyreke Casey, Mosese Bulicakau, Nahau Holani, Henry-Troi Kepa, Kahu Whaitiri-Te Miha, Karauria Whaitiri-Te Miha. R: Trevor Edwards, Ngarimu Waru, Hauliua Tonga, Daniel Timoti, Viliami Mosaati, Mason Apanui, Tevita Kavai.