Whalers win five from five at tamariki tourney

ON THE BURST: Paikea Whalers under-11 player Rory Gifford tries to break the attempted tackle of a TRL Tigers player in a Division 2 game at the New Zealand Maori Rugby League Tamariki Tournament in Whakatane. Picture by Mai Gooch

They still haven’t come down from Cloud 9.

The mixed Paikea Whalers under-11 team won five of five games in Division 2 at the New Zealand Maori Rugby League Tamariki Tournament.

On Saturday at Rugby Park and Rex Morpeth Park, Whakatane, the Luke Fox-Jason Tuapawa-coached Whalers beat Tapuika Waitaha 24-8, Hauraki 28-8 and Dannevirke’s gutsy TRL Tigers 36-8.

On Day 2 a Whalers crew now on a roll beat the much bigger South Auckland Maori 44-0 first-up and finished their superb campaign with a 16-4 victory over Raukawa.

Fox was ecstatic.

“The kids were nervous and excited before our first game, but as time went on they learned the three fundamentals: attack shapes (left-side halfback, right-side halfback), defensive system (responsibilities, the marker being square) and playing to a game-plan (middle-third of the field, high completions, get to the kick, kick to the corners — compress in).”

Fox outlined the abilities of his squad: “We had one big boy, Rory Gifford (front-row, left side), with Noah Fox (lock, halfback) and Daniel King-Whaitiri (back-row, left side) serving as co-captains.

“Quade Walters (front-row, both sides) was tough, while Angus Bettridge (fullback) carried the ball well and was elusive. Rongokino Miller (centre) was good on her feet with a great sidestep; she scored two cracking tries against Raukawa.”

The Gooch cousins, halfback Brodie and hooker Conrad, were excellent value, Fox said.

“Brodie seems to have time to spare, plus a good temperament and short kicking game. Conrad, a good communicator, was dumped heavily in the last game.

“On the penalty award, he opted to tap-kick, went eight metres through big front-row forwards to score, then took the ball from the restart and again ran hard and straight.

“Maddox Poihipi (back-row, right side) was powerful and had a strong palm. He was also quick and aggressive. Brae Tuapawa (centre) was solid in defence, a skilful player and a good team man.

“Ngawari Neha-Lewi (left wing, fullback) was direct with the ball in hand.Lennyx Leach (right wing) carried well, held up an edge and made his tackles. Pahker Taumata (front-row, back-row) was aggressive and uncompromising but has a sense of humour. Ziya Kiwara (front-row) is big and strong.

“Vili Makoni (front-row, back-row) really improved a lot during this tournament. He can make a break and he now runs good lines and angles.”

The Whalers originally selected 16 players to travel but took a squad of 15, with 11 on the field at any one time under full tackle regulations in 20-minute halves.

Every squad member played at least one half in each game, regardless of the score or match situation.

Forty-plus players trialled for the u11s at Waikirikiri Park in the four weeks before the tournament — and they beat the u12s three times in warm-up games during that period.

A hard-working group of supporters and team staff gave the team everything they needed before kick-off on Saturday morning and this special group went unbeaten as a result.