Hot Form: Jonah Lowe (right) beats Ash Robinson-Bartlett in the race to complete his hattrick yesterday. Photo/Warren Buckland
Talk about Magpie Jonah Lowe celebrating his selection in the New Zealand Barbarians rugby team to take on the Lions in style.
Centre Lowe scored a hattrick for his K9 Petfoods Clive team in yesterday's Tui Nash Cup fourth round 44-25 win against Tamatea at Bill Mathewson Park in Hastings to take his tally of tries to seven from two outings for his club this season after scoring four last weekend. The fact he didn't train with the team this week added to the significance of the feat.
" I trained all day with the Canes in Wellington yesterday and last night's storm contributed to a slow trip home so I missed training," Lowe, 20, explained.
"I love playing for my club and I will do so at every opportunity."
A 2016 New Zealand under-20s rep and 2014 New Secondary Schools rep, Lowe, said he was stoked to be the sole Magpie selected in the New Zealand Barbarians team which will take on the Lions in Whangarei on June 3.
"It's another New Zealand rep team for me. My brothers told me the Lions only come here once every 12 years so I'm the only one in the family to get this opportunity and they're stoked for me."
Lowe agreed selection in the Hurricanes to play the Brumbies at Napier's McLean Park on Friday night would complete a memorable fortnight but the chances are slim.
"While you are always hopeful the Hurricanes are on fire at the moment."
Halfback Bronson Hokianga and second five-eighth Duff Penitito were others to shine in the cohesive Clive backline while captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere and loosies Beau Tresidder and Api Sione led the forwards by example. Tamatea were guilty of rushing things too much instead of being patient and securing territory first however the hosts deserve praise for finishing strong and securing the bonus point for four tries.
Captain and loosie Hamiora Rowlands, winger Jarome Mareikura and second five-eighth Jimi Harris were all prominent for the hosts.
"It's been 10 years since we had this many points on the points table after four rounds," Tamatea head coach Matt Marsh said.
NOBM 78 Taradale 9
Defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist gave lock Tom Bywater a memorable 50th appearance with this walloping at Carters Arms Park.
It was also the perfect send off for hooker Logan Ede who has secured a playing contract in Perth. Fullback Liam Edwards was brilliant for the visitors and like prop Jarvy Aoake scored a hattrick
Winger Mitch Drew and blindside flanker Hannon Brighouse were others to make head coach Craig Gowler's MVP list.
Tech 40 Hastings 10
Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical produced an ideal rehearsal for their clash with NOBM next weekend with this polished victory at Whitmore Park.
"It was a good team effort," Texans manager Cyril Whitburn said before singling out first five-eighth Tamati Samuels, No 8 Kaleb Sweet and winger Nathan Ramsay as the pick of the hosts.
"The score didn't reflect the game but our boys never looked like they were in the game. Tech were more motivated than us," Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports co-manager James Rosenberg said.
Loosie Fale Matamata again shone with his impact off the bench and fellow flanker Mateo Qiquiwaqa was also a tireless worker. First five-eighth Ausage Fomai was the pick of the Hastings backs.
Havelock 23 Pirate 15
Highlanders loosie Gareth Evans scored the first try in this Anderson Park win for his Progressive Meats Havelock North team.
Evans completed 80 minutes for the villagers after training with them all week. Winger Jesse Paewai and fullback Shannan Chase were enterprising in the winning backline and prop Simote Tuitufu a powerful figure in the Havelock engine room.
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports manager Charles Reid was happy with the improvement his troops displayed.
"We came back well in the second half and a couple of poor decisions proved costly," he said.
Hooker Pouri Rakete-Stones, lock Mike Albert and prop Kelsey Miller provided plenty of grunt to a visiting pack which enjoyed dominant patches.
Central 50 MAC 10
Northfuels Central first five-eighth Cole Eru dictated terms in this thrashing at Waipukurau's Central Park.
Fullback Jayden Milner was another to regularly test the MAC defensive systems. Lock Lance Baker was busy at the coalface and kicked 15 points, six conversions and a penalty.
Prop Clinton Vaiusu, flanker Malele Faaopopo and hooker Amiga Mikaele shone with their never-say-die approach for the visitors.