Rugby: Champs get reminder of Canterbury strength

BUSY BATTLER: Magpies fullback Shannan Chase tried hard for the Hawke's Bay Development team yesterday. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

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Hurricanes Development rugby competition champions Hawke's Bay got a reminder of the depth in Canterbury yesterday.

Canterbury Development beat Hawke's Bay Development 43-15 at Napier's Park Island after leading 17-10 at halftime.

"It was always going to be a tough ask for our boys with a short turn around after the weekend's final. We had a lot of players unavailable either through injury, work or illness and only had a squad of 21 to take on their squad of 28," Bay manager Mike Smith said.

"Under those circumstances all our boys battled hard and with 20 minutes remaining the score was 29-15," Smith added.

Prop Paulo Nu'u, winger Naua Uaisele and versatile outside back Tom Iosefo scored the Bay's tries.

Flanker George McPherson, centre Neria Fomai and Magpies fullback Shannan Chase were the best of the Bay players.

• Patrick Teddy was the only Hawke's Bay player selected in the Hurricanes under-16 rugby tournament team after the tourney finished in Palmerston North yesterday.

Teddy was selected as a hooker but played flanker as Hawke's Bay walloped Poverty Bay 33-0 in yesterday's playoff for third after leading 17-0 at halftime.

Manager Tim Jones said his troops were thrilled with their improved defensive effort after losing their previous two games against Manawatu and Wellington.

Second five-eighth Nathan Giles was the best of the Hawke's Bay backs.

Hooker Tyrone Thompson shone with his ability to gain valuable metres up the middle and No 8 Faiva was a busy defender.

Flanker Sam Sexton scored two tries and Thompson, Faiva and substitute first five-eighth Zarn Sullivan scored one each. Midfield back Liam Udy-Johns converted four of the five tries.