Rugby: Joe calls on help from high places

Junior Saracens second five-eighth Declan Renall keeps the ball free for an offload as the Hastings West defence moves in on him yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Top marks for initiative in this week's Hawke's Bay Wakely Shield rugby tournament go to Hastings East lock Paxton Joe.

Each player in the 10th annual tournament which caters for players under-50kgs is asked to find sponsorship to help cover the costs of their team shirt and jacket. Hastings East assistant coach and former Magpie Glen Varcoe said Joe hit up his uncle, All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, for a donation to cover the cost of his.

"Paxton went up to Hamilton to watch Aaron play for the All Blacks against Argentina last month and got the donation then," Varcoe explained.

Joe, who played for the Western Suburbs 12th grade team which finished second in the Hawke's Bay intercity competition this season, has obviously been inspired by his uncle and the ABs' form of late. Joe has been prominent as the Hastings East side has recorded maximum points on the first two days of the five-day event staged in recognition of Taradale's Intercity JRB stalwart Adele Wakely who won the New Zealand Rugby Union's Volunteer of the Year award in 2005.

"Paxton normally plays in the backs but we've brought him into the forwards because he has a little bit of mongrel. He carries the ball well," Varcoe said.

Joe is two points behind Hastings West No8 Andy Ngametua in the battle for the Josh Kronfeld Medal which is awarded to the player-of-the-tournament.

Varcoe pointed out his team's battle with defending champions Napier West today at Taradale's Tareha Reserve will give a good indication as to whether his troops will have a chance of lifting the Wakely Shield on Friday afternoon.

"Napier West have had one loss but they have some good players," Varcoe added.

Along with Joe, hooker CJ Buscke and prop Tom Scott were among the key architects of Hastings East's 41-0 win against Napier East yesterday. Hastings West are also unbeaten and yesterday beat the Junior Saracens 22-0.

Ngametua captured a second consecutive player-of-the-match award in the win. Second five-eighth Declan Renall was the best of the Saracens players.

Napier West beat Wairoa 44-7 in yesterday's other game.

Centre Reuban Hakiwai and winger Harris Gannaway were outstanding for Napier West.