Rugby: Clive lock's a menace for entire game these days

Clive rugby lock Rana Huata on the job as an apprentice for High Torque Builders. Photo/Paul Taylor

Opposing coaching staffs of Clive rugby lock Rana Huata were usually on the money with predictions he would tire well before the 50-minute mark in previous seasons.

That's definitely not the case this season. The 1.96m tall Huata who would send the scales digits comfortably over the 120kg mark most weeks is completing 80 quality minutes on a regular basis for K9 Petfoods Clive in 2017 and doing as much damage during the final quarter as he does in the first.

Opponents and teammates have been so impressed with Huata's contribution to the riversiders, who hold second place on the Maddison Trophy points table, they've been spreading rumours suggesting he's been sneaking off to crossfit sessions in between his rugby trainings. But Huata, 28, who is in his fourth full season with the Clive premiers after playing most of the 2013 season for the development team laughed off those rumours yesterday.

"It's just the Tuesday and Thursday rugby training sessions for me. But my job is physically demanding too," Huata, who started a building apprenticeship with High Torque Builders in December, said.

"You're right. I'm having my best season. Our team is going well because we are working better together as a team compared with previous years and we've got a few more quality players."

Huata produced another powerful 80-minute shift as Clive beat Central 33-18 in Waipukurau on Saturday to become the 14th weekly winner as the battle to become this season's holder of the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continues.

Considering his rugby was limited as a youngster - two age group seasons with Tamatea when he made the Hastings D and E grade reps - and he did not resume playing again until 2012 with the MAC division three team, Huata is doing remarkably well. Tough to bring down on the carry, Huata has become more ferocious on defence with each season of premier play and, for such a big bloke, he has safe, soft hands when used in link play.

The former Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Ngati Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga student could be a force as an impact player at Hawke's Bay Saracens team level. But Huata is happy to stick to club rugby.

"My wife and I had a new-born back in February and we've also got two whangai children who keep us busy. I'm also involved with my wife's Wairoa-based Te Rerenga Kotuku kapa haka group and I want to help our Bridge Pa team go back to back in Rugby League Hawke's Bay's Spring competition so I've got a bit on my plate."

Huata is looking forward to Saturday's game against Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Farndon Park as it will give the hosts an indication of their ability to remain in top-four contention.

"We've got some hard games coming up with Havelock North, NOBM and Taradale to follow. I would like to think we could finish in the top four and second or third would be good ... nobody wants to meet NOBM in the semifinals."

Best & fairest
Clive v Central: 3, Rana Huata (Clive); 2, Jorian Tangaere (Clive); 1, Wilbur Redward (Central).
Pirate v Taradale: 3, Ted Symes (Pirate); 2, Brynn Uriarau (Pirate); 1, Andrew Gardner (Taradale).
Hastings v Tamatea: 3, Jacob Devery (Hastings); 2, Jimi Harris (Tamatea); 1, Ausage Fomai (Hastings).
NOBM v Tech: 3, Matt Gardner (NOBM); 2, Chris Johnston (NOBM); 1, Ricky Hayes (NOBM).
Havelock North v MAC: 3, Tyler Symon-Burke (Havelock); 2, Shane Cusack (Havelock); 1, Tom Foley (Havelock).
Leaderboard: 12 points: Matt Gardner (NOBM), Fale Matamata (Hastings); 9: Ricky Hayes (NOBM), Isaiah Martin, Kaleb Sweet (both Tech), Jonty Strong (Havelock); 8: Jesse Paewai (Havelock); 7: Chris Johnston (NOBM), Aaron McPhee (Pirate), Cole Eru (Central).