Rugby: Japanese import extends stay after Clive upset

Clive flanker Yuki Nakamura splinters the Hastings defence yet again on Saturday. Photo/Warren Buckland

When it comes to the English language, Clive's Japanese rugby import Yuki Nakamura is limited.

But K9 Petfoods Clive head coach Blair Cross managed to understand what Nakamura was trying to tell him shortly after the riversiders upset Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports 15-12 in the feature Tui Maddison Trophy sixth-round encounter at Farndon Park on Saturday.

"This was going to be his last game but he will be here for another week. We're happy about that, he was our player of the match today," Cross said.

Nakamura will return to Japan next Monday to begin his one-year contract with the Docomo Red Hurricanes in the Top League. The hooker, who played flanker on Saturday, proved why he was signed with a huge defensive workrate and regular busts of the Hastings defensive line.

Aussie flanker Lucas Goodin, who was equally impressive, secured the win with a last-minute try. Former Magpies loosie Karl Lowe and 2016 Magpies lock Josh Eden-Whaitiri must have impressed Magpies coach Craig Philpott, who was among the spectators, with their contributions.

Hastings had the better of the game until Goodin had the final say. Their scrum functioned well and their defensive systems were sound apart from when two tries were conceded.

Flanker Ben Hamelink had his best game of the season. Loosie Warwick Slingsby was again prominent in conditions he relishes and second five-eighth Luke Rosvall was always a challenge for the Clive defence.

Havelock 29 Central 25
Progressive Meats Havelock North were prepared for a dogfight - and they got it before recording this victory at Waipukurau's Central Park.

"We knew we were in for a tough day. It was the third anniversary of Robbie Barr's death and it would have been his 34th birthday," Havelock statistician Conrad Waitoa said, referring to former Northfuels Central player Barr who died in a building accident in 2014.

"Robbie was a tough player and both teams adopted a Robbie Barr-type mentality," Waitoa said.

Fullback Shannan Chase shone with his speed and defensive work for the villagers. Second five-eighth Kalin Paewai and No 8 Tyler Symon-Burke also made Waitoa's MVP list.

Central backs player-coach Stephen Baker was forced to play the entire game because of a lengthy injury list and scored 20 points: six penalties including one from halfway, and a conversion. Lock Ben Carpenter and No 8 Tomo Fogarty displayed plenty of intent in the Central pack.

Pirate 29 Tech 24
Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports snatched a share of second place with this upset at Tamatea Park.

Pirate head coach Pouri Rakete-Stones snr was rapt with the win, as 15 of his squad couldn't train during the week because of the flu but gutsed it out on match day.

"The boys did well to lead 19-0 at halftime. But those with the flu started to flag during the last 20 and we only just got there with a hard-fought win," Rakete-Stones said.

Lock Tama Cahill and No 8 Aaron McPhee were an inspirational pair in the Pirate pack as the hosts posted their fifth consecutive win. Centre Hayden Hann was again classy in the winning backline.

Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical manager Cyril Whitburn said his troops paid the price for a shocking first half. Although they displayed more composure in the second half the damage was done.

Second five-eighth Ted Walters and first five-eighth Dylan Ramsay again shone in the Texans' backline and hooker Tere Joel provided plenty of grunt to the visiting engine room.

MAC 17 Taradale 10
MAC celebrated their return to Flaxmere Park following a five-week referee boycott of the club's home fixtures in the suburb with this upset.

"We knew Taradale were in rebuilding mode so we targeted this game with a strategy which paid off. In previous weeks we relied on players who had turned out for our development side in the curtainraiser but this week we sacrificed the development side a bit so they were fresh and played better for us," MAC manager Narley Tuliau explained.

Centre Samu Iosua, halfback Brigham Morley and first five-eighth-fullback Tom Iosefo were all prominent in the hosts' backline. Lock Clinton Vaiusu was a powerful figure in the MAC pack, before being sent off in the 75th minute.

"Yes we're struggling for numbers but I thought we still had a decent enough team to get a win. We struggled to maintain phases and while MAC took their chances we weren't quite up to it," Carters Frame and Truss Taradale head coach Jason Shoemark said.

Captain and No 8 Andrew Gardner and hooker Nick Hyde were workaholics in the Taradale pack and halfback Thomas Eden was the best of the visitors' backs.

NOBM 73 Tamatea 16
Defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist retained the Challenge Shield and recorded their 29th consecutive win with this Park Island drubbing.

While thrilled with his team's performance, NOBM head coach Craig Gowler was quick to praise Tamatea for their positive and never-say-die approaches to the encounter. Captain Chris Johnston and fellow flanker Jack Nelson-Murray led the Green Machine's pack by example, while the promising Ricky Hayes produced quality shifts in the second five-eighth and flanker positions.

Captain and No 8 Hamiora Rowlands and tighthead prop Mason Kean were again tireless workers in the Tamatea pack. Rowlands cousin Terira Rowlands made the most of his limited opportunities on the wing.