What could have been

‘I’LL BE BACK’: While disappointed he and his Poverty Bay teammates fell short of making the Heartland playoffs, Callum McDonald relished his first taste of provincial rugby and wants more in 2019. He is pictured taking on the Thames Valley defence, with Toru Noanoa in support. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay failed to kick on from their Heartland Championship-opening 27-22 win against Wairarapa Bush in August.

The Bay finished 11th in the 12-team competition, bettering only neighbours Ngati Porou East Coast.

Wairarapa went on to book a home semifinal spot against North Otago on Saturday in the Lochore Cup (fifth to eighth playoffs) by coming sixth.

It could have been so much different for Bay coach Mana Otai’s men, who scored eight bonus points over the eight matches but managed only two wins.

They lost 31-30 to West Coast in Greymouth when they failed to kick a penalty in the last play of the game in week 3.

The Bay also should have beaten fourth-placed Meads Cup semifinalists Thames Valley in week 6.

Poverty Bay had only 14 men after lock Micaiah Torrance-Reid was sent off in the 58th minute, openside flanker Callum McDonald scored a try to put the home side 34-27 ahead with five minutes to play . . . time to run the clock down.

Instead the ball was kicked away, resulting in the Valley gaining possession and locking up the score with a converted try.

“At least we’ll get three bonus points (for the draw and scoring four or more),” thought most Bay supporters.

Wrong. The ball was kicked out on the full and from a scrum, the Valley were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to snatch the win.

It was heartbreaking for the Bay and McDonald, who was outstanding throughout the championship.

Rotorua-born, Gold Coast-raised McDonald joined premier side OBM midway through the second round of the Poverty Bay club competition and made an immediate impact against defending Lee Bros Shield champions High School Old Boys as OBM won 22-17.

The feisty openside flanker then showed his courage by playing 80 minutes with a bad shoulder injury against Ngatapa, which all but ended his club season.

McDonald did enough to earn a spot in Otai’s Heartland squad. When fully recovered, he starred in the Bay’s 78-0 loss to Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki.

McDonald also scored a try in a 37-14 loss to Horowhenua Kapiti in a pre-season friendly.

“One of the reasons I came to Gisborne was to try to make the Heartland team,” said McDonald.

“Stu Donnelly (former OBM player now living on the Gold Coast) told me all about it and I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could make the team and maybe even play at a higher level.

“Not making the Heartland semifinals was disappointing,” McDonald said.

“But for a couple of games we could have made it but that’s the way the games go sometimes.

“We definitely have the skill set but just didn’t finish the job at times.”

The good news for OBM and Bay fans is McDonald is keen to “stick around”.

“I’ve enjoyed living and playing in Gisborne. The guys at OBM and the reps are awesome, and playing for the Bay has meant I got to see places I would never have seen.

“I’ve made so many good friends and I’d like to stay and give something back to OBM next season for making me feel so welcome.”

Although he has more time in Australia — 17 years — than New Zealand, he did not hesitate when asked which country he supported . . . “definitely New Zealand”.