Rugby: Cool, calm and collecting

Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV rugby team celebrated their first taste of Super 8 title glory since 2004 on Saturday. Photo / Duncan Brown

It would have been easy for Hastings Boys' High School's 1st XV rugby side's two-try hero Lincoln McClutchie to talk up his team's chances of a semifinal finish in the national knockout competition on Saturday.

That's down to the emphatic manner in which the side won the school's first Super 8 rugby title since 2004 with their 30-8 drubbing of Hamilton Boys' High School on the school's No 1 ground. But the first five-eighth and vice-captain refused to look that far ahead.

"It's important we continue to take one game at a time because that has worked well for us all season. We will assemble on Monday and the focus will be on the following weekend's game," McClutchie said, referring to a home match against St Pats Town who lost the Wellington final 12-9 to Wellington College.

A third-year 1st XV player, McClutchie, 17, was outstanding in all aspects of play.

"He picked his moments and took his chances. Lincoln didn't overplay his hand," said delighted HBHS head coach, Mark Ozich.

It's easy to see why Hurricanes talent scouts are interested in him.

"I also have to think about studies and a career. The police force is also an option," McClutchie said.

Once again, McClutchie and his halfback Folau Fakatava thrived behind a cohesive forward pack. Captain and prop Kianu Kereru-Symes, lock Liam Bauckham and No8 Devan Flanders were all inspirational in the Hastings pack.

Fullback Danny Toala did well to land all six of his attempts at goal in the difficult conditions.

The Hastings midfield duo of second five-eighth Liam Udy-Johns and centre Hunta Marsh upstaged their more-fancied Hamilton opponents, captain Rameka Poihipi and centre Quinn Tupaea.

Trailing 13-8 lead with 16 minutes remaining, Hamilton had a sniff.

Hastings weren't as accurate as they were earlier at the breakdown and they were losing too many of their own lineouts.

However, as the fourth quarter ticked in, McClutchie scored his second try after a spectacular solo run following a well-executed second-man play and normal transmission resumed for the hosts.

The fact the visitors only managed one try to flanker Joe Vaka in the 29th minute was a tribute to the tenacious defence from the likes of Flanders, Kereru-Symes and openside flanker Xavier Hill.

"These boys had never been in this final before. They handled the pressure and delivered," Ozich said as he and assistant coach Tafai Ioasa congratulated each player individually.
Tears of joy flowed down the face of manager Steve Small.

"This is my fifth year with the team and there have been some struggles. This makes up for all those struggles and hopefully we can continue this form in the knockout rounds," Small said.
Vaka and busy No8 Patrick McCurran were the best of the Hamilton players. Hamilton head coach Nigel Hotham agreed his troops didn't play the territory game enough but this was a result of the defensive pressure they faced.

"Hastings are a very well-drilled team. They proved you don't have to be a monster team to win at this level.

"All going well we will meet again in the national top four competition and we will see what happens there," Hotham added.

Hastings Boys' High School 30 (Lincoln McClutchie 2, Jeriah Mua tries; Danny Toala 3 pens, 3 cons) Hamilton Boys' High School 8 (Joe Vaka try; Rameka Poihipi pen). HT: 13-5.