Wins to Tokararangi, Waiapu and Waimā in week 3 of East Coast club rugby

Tokararangi's Eraihia Bartlett is tackled by Hikurangi's David Manuel as Kris Palmer closes in to help in a Ngāti Porou East Coast club rugby game at Whareponga last weekend. Tokararangi won 43-21. Photo / Doone Harrison

Week 3 of Ngati Porou East Coast club rugby sizzled.

Round 1 of the Heke-o-Te-Rangi Blackbee Contractors competition has continued to produce quick and skilful rugby.

Tokararangi, of Te Araroa, took the Morgan Waitoa Memorial Trophy on the road for a 43-21 win over Hikurangi Te Maunga at Kahuitara Sports Ground in Whareponga.

Waiapu stood firm against the Jack Richardson-led Ruatōria City 24-12 at George Nepia Memorial Park, Rangitukia.

Waimā claimed an emphatic 64-5 victory in a derby match with Tokomaru Bay United at Hatea-a-rangi Memorial Domain.

Uawa had the bye after beginning their campaign with a 41-15 away win over City at Enterprise Cars Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, followed by a default win over Waiapu.

Waimā, under first-year coach Quintin Whakataka, claimed a massive scalp in beating Hikurangi 43-33 on opening day and, coming off the bye, went up another gear in their 10-try win on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Hakarangi Tichborne and goal-kicking centre Te Aranga Hakiwai (five conversions) got doubles. Captain and No 8 Te Peehi Fairlie and vice-captain and openside flanker Roha Fairlie also dotted down as the forwards built on their standard of a fortnight ago.

Wingers Tumau Tuwairua and James Te Kahika had strong games too.

For the Rawiri Coleman-coached United, lock CJ Henare, No 8 Paddy Blackman jnr and first five Apirana Pewhairangi, named their Most Valuable Player, were prominent.

“We fielded a team, it was a good game, and that’s the main thing,” Henare said. “Our boys made hard carries and our lineout worked well. We have a lot to work on, but with our young team, we’re looking forward to seeing what they bring every week. For us, getting to trainings is the key.”

Waiapu are a fascinating watch three weeks into the season.

Beaten finalists in 2025, they began their 2026 campaign with a 58-24 win at home versus Tokomaru Bay United, defaulted to Ūawa and on Saturday rejoined the winners’ circle with aplomb.

On a warm, dry day, Waiapu outgunned Ruatāria City four tries to two.

Blindside flanker Rikki Terekia and No 8 Morgan Poi dotted down, and right wing Tony Hoori and powerful reserve centre Manu Papuni-Isles finished off nicely for their five-pointers.

The hosts, well-led by coach and tighthead prop Tripoli Poi, were 12-7 up at the break.

City captain openside flanker Jack Richardson spoke to the ruggedness of the spat.

“It’s always a tough game when we go over the river. We have a history with Waiapu and they always get up for us. They play an unorthodox style of rugby, and this time around, we didn’t stick to our structure. They fielded a strong team and scored twice in the last 10 minutes to win it. Hats off to them.”

In Week 4 action on Saturday, Waimā play Tokararangi in a 1pm game at Hatea-a-Rangi Memorial Domain in Tokomaru Bay, followed by Toko United against Ūawa at 3pm at the same venue. Hikurangi are up against Waiapu at Whareponga at 2pm, while Ruatōria have the bye.

WEEK 3 SCOREBOARD

Hikurangi Te Maunga 21 (Te Aotahi Tuhaka, Barry Sollitt, Mahue Mauheni tries; Kris Palmer 3 con) Tokararangi 43 (Hone Haerewa 2, Teina Potae, Dyllyn Evans, James Martin, Eraihia Bartlett, Phoenix Manuel tries; Rapata Haerewa 4 con). HT: Hikurangi 0 Tokararangi 17.

Waiapu 24 (Rikki Terekia, Morgan Poi, Tony Poori, Manu Papuni-Isles tries; Hamuera Moana 2 con) Ruatoria City 12 (Tuterangi Ngarimu, Hayden Walters-Stuart tries; Nathaniel Fox con). HT: Waiapu 12 Ruatoria City 7.

Tokomaru Bay United 5 (Paddy Blackman, junior, try) Waimā 64 (Hakarangi Tichborne 2, Te Aranga Hakiwai 2, Isaiah Leach, Te Roha Fairlie, Te Peehi Fairlie, Slade Tiopira, James Te Kahika, Peni Delai tries; Hakiwai 5 con, Tiopira 2 con). HT: Tokomaru Bay United 0 Waimā 19.

Ūawa had the bye.