Rugby: Fakatava finds premier play easier than 1st XV level

Hastings Rugby and Sports halfback Folau Fakatava works on his scrum feeds this week. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hands up if you believe Folau Fakatava was the best halfback in Hawke's Bay last year.

I'm with you. Fakatava would not have been out of place as the Magpies starting No 9 particularly when former All Black Brad Weber was returning from injury.

However, the instinctive Fakatava, 18, had other priorities which included his key role in Hastings Boys' High School's march to the National Top Four title. This season the Flaxmere Primary School teacher aide is backing up what we all thought last year with outstanding form for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports and a hot display for the Magpies in their 29-22 win against the Tasman Mako in Wellington on Wednesday night.

"I was a bit worried at halftime. But then Folau came on and did his stuff and secured us the win," Magpies assistant coach Josh Syms recalled.

"It was good to help the boys get the win. I'm just starting to come right after two weeks out with an ankle injury," the modest Fakatava said.

He is expecting a tough tussle when Hastings host Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical in their Tui Nash Cup semifinal at Elwood Park today.

"Our line speed will have to be spot on to shut their fast backs like JJ Taulagi down."

Fakatava, who is regulary compared with All Black Aaron Smith, pointed out he has found playing in the premier men's club competition easier than at school level last year.

"Our school games were a lot faster. In the club comp there are a lot of older slower players who are easier to run around. But the club comp is more physical."

Fakatava missed Hastings' first round 36-17 win against Tech because he was on Hurricanes under-20 team duty. He has set making the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad as his next goal and it will be a surprise if he doesn't tick it off.

"I know I've got to work on my kicking game ... box kicks and stuff. There's lots of new players who I have to get familiar with too.

"It was a bit like that when I first came into the Hastings team's camp. I wasn't comfortable with so many new players around ... now we all get on like brothers," he added.

Hastings co-manager James Rosenberg has every right to expect a close encounter.

"We've got the team to do it and it's important we keep improving on what we are doing. We've got the team to do it and it will come down to fitness and discipline ... whoever gives away the least penalties."

Rosenberg added that his troops will be doing their best to restrict the space around in-form Texans fullback Taulagi who has scored 125 points in six games. Rosenberg also confirmed former Central midfield back Cole Eru has transferred to the Elwood Park-based club and may get time off the pine today.

Like Hastings, Tech have plenty of options available to them. Fans will be interested in how Magpies lock Trent Boswell-Wakefield operates in the openside flanker role.

Tech manager Cyril Whitburn confirmed former All Black Sevens rep Tamati Samuels will miss the remainder of the season after a shoulder surgery and, in his absence, veteran Sam Giddens will start at first five-eighth.

Defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist will host Taradale Rugby and Sports in the other semifinal at Park Island. NOBM head coach Craig Gowler is expecting Taradale to be more competitive than they were when beaten 67-18 a fortnight ago.

His No 8, Hannon Brighouse, has withdrawn with an ankle injury and has been replaced by Matt Gardner. Taradale manager Paul Wise is confident his troops will close the gap on that previous display when they were missing key players.

Regular starting locks Angelo Mufana and Lui Luimanu are on the injured list. In-form Magpies prop Joe Apikotoa is also doubtful and has been bracketed with veteran Kelsey Miller.

Other games today will see MAC host Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Flaxmere Park and Jarks Tamatea host K9 Petfoods Clive at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park. Clive will miss the services of in-form No 8 Josh Kaifa who will be sidelined for six weeks with a leg injury collected while playing for the Magpies on Wednesday night.

A high injury tally has forced Northfuels Central to default their match against Progressive Meats Havelock North which was scheduled to be played at Anderson Park. The MAC-Pirate match will include uncontested scrums as the Pirate side is down on regular frontrowers.

Semifinal teams:
Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports: Jayden Rihia, Johnny Saifiti, Timo Vaiusu, Star Timu, Mason Emerson, Danny Toala, Folau Fakatava, Ben Hamelink (captain), Fale Matamata, Jardine Chung Ching, JJ Scales, Jono Makris, Aleki Vuki, Jason Long, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe. Substitutes: Forwards, Desmond Manuo, Paulo Nu'u, Danya Tulou. Backs, Sione Kite, Thomas Agnew, Enoka Chung Ching, Cole Eru.
Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical: JJ Taulagi, Sebastian Visibia, Tane McGuire, Ted Walters, Junior Saufoi, Sam Giddens, Dylan Ramsay, Tauese Fatialofa, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Jordan Faia, Elijah Martin, Todd Cushing, Perrin Manuel, Tere Joel (captain), Mark Braidwood. Substitutes: Forwards, Lani Latu, Nathan Pulega, Campbell Morgan, James Hughes, Slade Lange. Backs, Misi Lealaisalona, Johnny Bristol.
WIT Napier Old Boys Marist: Liam Edwards, Michael Buckley, Shae Tucker, Paul Bickle, Mitch Drew, Johnny Lauano, Ellery Wiilson, Matt Gardner, Chris Johnston, Ricky Hayes, Tyler Symone-Bourke, Matt Thompson, Andrew Robinson, Terry Marsh, Chris Benson. Substitutes: Forwards, Jack Nelson-Murray, Willie Benson, TBC, Kane Paterson. Backs, Sam Weber, Saia Paese, Migao Lauano.
Taradale Rugby and Sports: Dan McIntyre, Ashton Tuck, Kaleb Whakataka, Nathan Ramsay, Wade Woolly, Brad Truesdale, Karl Hewitt/Thomas Eden, Kaleb Sweet, Nathan Tweedy, Francis Ah Lim, Andrew Gardner, Jordan Kupa, Kelsey Miller/Joe Apikotoa, Ellery Tareha, Reece Aranui. Substitutes: Forwards, James Humphrey, Miller/Apikotoa, Josh Coombs, Angus McKnight, Ian Rore. Backs, Eden/Hewitt, Dillon Loibl, Nikki Martin.