Rugby: Hastings Boys' midfielder wants another 'mean experience'

Hastings Boys High School 1st XV second five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn has been a consistent performer for his team this season. Photo/Paul Taylor

Do or die matches command experienced hands to step up and Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV rugby side's second five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn knows it.

Thompson-Dunn, 17, has been a consistent performer in his team's backline this season and he will have to be at his best tomorrow if the national champions are going to beat Palmerston North Boys' High School in Hastings and remain in the hunt for a National Top Four competition berth. The second-year 1st XV player who will return to school for Year 13 studies next year pointed out the hosts have capitalised on the two-week spell since their last outing.

"We had a light week last week and returned to full-on training this week."

Hastings were far too individualistic in their 26-0 loss to Hamilton Boys' High School on August 4 and Thompson-Dunn said a huge emphasis was placed on regrouping as a unit this week.

"We also focused on speeding up play around the ruck area."

A former Hawke's Bay under-16 rep for two years, under-14 rep, Hawke's Bay Ross Shield rep and Hastings East Ross Shield team captain, Thompson-Dunn, described playing at last year's National Top Four tournament in Palmerston North as "a mean experience".

"I want to do it again. We need to keep going.

"I'm confident we can beat Palmy. We need to exploit them out wide like Napier did in their Polson Banner game," Thompson-Dunn said.

Equally comfortable in the 10 or 12 jerseys, Thompson-Dunn, is happy with his own form to date.

"I know I have to improve my line speed on defence," he stressed.

Multi-talented courtesy of his representative touch commitments for Manawatu and Hawke's Bay up to open men's level, Thompson-Dunn is eyeing a career as a professional rugby player and he hopes to crack the Hurricanes under-18 squad next year to enhance his chances. He has yet to formulate plans for a back-up career but pointed out there is plenty of time for that.

His touch commitments during the summer will guarantee a reasonable level of fitness when the 2019 rugby season begins.

"I was selected for a New Zealand under-18 touch trial this year but had to withdraw through injury. That cost me a spot at the World Cup in Malaysia ... hopefully I get another crack next year," Thompson-Dunn said.

Experienced fullback Gideon Kautai will miss tomorrow's match with concussion. His berth will be taken by promising Year 11 fullback Eldius Oli who has been playing for the side since the World Youth Invitational tournament in Japan in April and May. Prop Corban Kireka will also be absent because of his suspension after being red carded against Hamilton Boys' High School.

Hastings openside flanker Connor Wadley has displayed vast improvement towards the business end of the season and it will be interesting to see if he can limit the freedom of Palmy first five-eighth and Taradale Rugby and Sports age-group product Stewart Cruden.

Despite playing behind a forward pack which was going backwards for most of their 36-19 Polson Banner game loss, Cruden's game management was top shelf. Other Palmy players who need to be marked closely include winger Will Treder and substitute midfield back Max Harris.

Teams for the noon clash:
HBHS: Eldius Oli, Michael Naitokani, Andrew Hayward, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Joeli Rauca, Shamara Brooks, Latrell Ah Kiong, Liam Udy-Johns, Connor Wadley, Donovan Mataira, Julian Goerke, Emil Crichton, Matt Wilison, Damarus Hokianga, Zac Southwick. Substitutes: Tini Nuu, Sam Taylor, Ngiyaani Waters, Charlie Varcoe, Adam Bibby, Arana Murphy.
PNBHS: Ruben Love, Will Treder, Lafo Takiari Ah Ching, Darel Lander, Korie Winters, Stewart Cruden, Bryn Wilson, Tamati Ruawai, Ethan Johanson, Bryn Gordon, Tom Finlay, Harry Newman, Gus Robertson, Flyn Yates, Nasser Tato. Substitutes: Harlow Apiata, Feleti Sae Ta'ofu'ou, Trevor Shane Baker, Jack Nesdale, Matty Oldridge, Max Harris, Mitch Leach.