Originally from New Caledonia, Mufana, 33, had his first premier outing for Taradale in 2012. The 2012 and ’13 Hawke’s Bay Under-20 rep missed last season after having knee surgery.
Celebrating victory in his 150th was one of three goals he set at the start of the season. Helping Taradale retain the Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy are the next two.
“It won’t be easy ... everyone has the hunger, not just us,” Mufana added.
He scored his team’s first try and completed 50 minutes before being subbed off. Mufana joined fellow lock and captain Hunter Morrison and centre Meni Manase as the best of the Taradale players.
The Texans deserve kudos for their competitive display. Player-coach and lock Elijah Martin and prop Nik Patumaka were inspirational in the Tech pack. Fullback Adam Curran was enterprising out wide.
Napier Old Boys Marist joined Taradale as the only unbeaten teams after three rounds, courtesy of a 45-24 victory over Havelock North at Park Island. Once again, the Green Machine ruled the second half after leading 21-14 at halftime.
Lock Matt Monaghan and frontrowers Patrick Teddy, Reilly Hannan and Tulitaluai Faleiva were full of authority in the winning pack. First five-eighth Jonty Stewart slotted all seven of his attempts at goal. Winger Michael Beech deserved his hat-trick.
Bridge Pa coach Sione Cherrington-Kite said his troops were upbeat despite being walloped 78-14 by Hastings Rugby and Sports at the Mitre 10 Sports Park.
“The feeling in our changing room is like we have won. That’s a reflection of our massive improvement ... our forwards were outstanding,” Cherrington-Kite explained.
Along with his forwards, Cherrington-Kite was full of praise for the work done by halfback Zavier Dunn. Hastings fullback John Lameko was an excitement machine.
Hawke’s Bay Academy front rower Louie Uregei impressed as a blindside flanker for Hastings. Lock Taylor Walton-Sexton also provided plenty of grunt in the Hastings engine room.
First five-eighth Oscar Sowman grabbed a hat-trick.
New Zealand Under-20 triallist Drew Berg-McLean was outstanding at openside flanker as his Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports side beat MAC 59-15 at the Ian MacRae Field. Captain Tiaki Fabish again led his troops by example.
Joel Russell shone at halfback and fullback for the hosts and winger Charlie Nash again enhanced his reputation. MAC coach Anthony Morley expected his lads to put more pressure on the Pirate outfit and lamented their poor defensive work.
Captain and No 8 Falemiga Selesele, halfback Bronson Hokianga, substitute loosie Tulafono Tafolo and 20-year-old fullback Charlie Salevao were the best of the MAC players. Lanson Randell, a son of former All Black captain Taine Randell, had shifts at lock and loosie for MAC and scored a try.
Scorers:
Taradale 22 (Angelo Mufana, Billy Ropiha, Meni Manase tries; Izaiah Tuliau 2 cons, pen), Napier Technical 19 (Isimeli Vono, Ben Te Hau, Liam Udy-Johns tries; Leighton Shaw 2 cons). HT: Tech 12-5.
Hastings Rugby and Sports 78 (Oscar Sowman (3), John Lameko (2), Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Louie Uregei, Taufateau Kaufononga, Sione Folau, Kusi Drauna, Joseph Lilo-Iosefo, Perez Malo tries; Sowman 9 cons), Bridge Pa 14 (Zavier Dunn, Samuel Mitchell tries; James Bailey 2 cons). HT: 40-14.
Napier Old Boys Marist 45 (Michael Beech (3), Lockie Varcoe (2), Patrick Lilo-Iosefo tries; Jonty Stewart 6 cons, pen), Havelock North 24 (Jesse Paewai, Maiti Leef, Mokau Lambert tries; Hoera Stephenson 3 cons, pen). HT: 21-14.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 59 (Jarryd Broughton (2), Tiaki Fabish (2), Drew Berg-McLean, Eli Rore, Andrew Tauatevalu, Charlie Nash, Tipene Maxwell tries; Sheridan Rangihuna 4, Liam Batt 3 cons), MAC 15 (Junior Saufoi, Lanson Randell tries; Alatasi Tupou con, pen). HT:19-10.
