Rugby league: Uncle and nephew to clash in final

STUDENT-MENTOR: Omahu Huia scrumhalf Bronson Hokianga (left) and his uncle, Bridge Pa hooker Colin Hokianga, will clash today. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

MENTOR-student relationships don't come much better than the one between Bronson Hokianga and his uncle Colin Hokianga.

"Whether it's been rugby, touch or league the uncle has taught me a lot over the years," Bronson explained last night.

Hooker Colin will get an indication of how much his nephew has learnt when his Bridge Pa team takes on scrumhalf Bronson's Omahu Huia side in Hawke's Bay's premier rugby league grand final at Bill Mathewson Park, Hastings this afternoon.

"It was only going to be a matter of time before we met in a final like this. It's a pity we're not in the same team but that could possibly happen in the future when we turn out for family teams," 33-year-old Colin said.

Bridge Pa is his third league club after previously playing for Omahu and Tamatea. Colin helped Tamatea win the 2011 premier title and Bridge Pa capture the reserve grade title last year. The former Hawke's Bay Unicorns and Central Vipers rep player reluctantly accepted the favourites' tag on Bridge Pa's behalf.

"Experience-wise we've got some old heads. They've got a lot of young fellahs so hopefully we've got a game plan to counter their pace," Colin said.

"If we can look after the ball and complete our sets we've got a good chance."

Colin praised the strategic plan coach Ihaka Waerea introduced for the Bridge Pa team. The first part involved last year's reserve grade win, the second part the premier grade campaign and the third stage is playing at the national Maori tournament in Wainuiomata during Labour Weekend.

"Everything is coming together quite good. We're one step away from the premier title but at the same time we know it won't be easy. There's a lot of good young fellahs like Bronson in the Omahu team who I've coached over the years and it's good to see them coming through."

Colin has plenty of respect for Omahu's experienced trio of centre Cory Vainu, prop Rapa Nuku and loosie Shane Wicken-Tupu as well as their coach Aki Renata and "waterboy" Bronson's father and former Unicorns scrumhalf BJ Hokianga.

Eighteen-year-old Bronson has already tasted grand final glory this winter as a member of the Clive colts rugby team. He is in his second season with Omahu after previously being a Hawke's Bay age group league and rugby rep and Hurricanes under-17 rugby training squad member.

"Our Omahu team is a young and up and coming one. Hopefully the weather stays fine so we can run the big Bridge Pa fellahs around. We know it's almost 30 years since Omahu has won the premier title."

"Uncle Colin probably knows which foot I'm going to step off every time so it's important I just run at him and put my support runners in the right holes," Bronson said.

A son of former Unicorns centre, Taranaki Hokianga, Bronson, hopes to continue playing both winter codes for as long as possible.

Coach Renata is proud of the manner in which Omahu has made the premier final.

"We started the season as a reserve grade team and then the grades were combined for a while. It's a fairytale-type run with our only losses against Bridge Pa. When we beat Tamatea they had won their previous eight games and it's our young fellahs who have been doing the damage."

Waerea said while his team had beaten Omahu in their previous two competition games those results won't mean anything today.

"We're expecting Omahu to field a few Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV rugby players so we will have to try and beat them with our power game."

Kahuranaki will take on Clive in the reserve grade final and MAC will meet Tamatea in the women's final.

Teams for the premier final:
Bridge Pa: Hemi Waerea, Arama Bennett, Jeston Craig (captain), David Neho, Steve Kemp, Piripi Jessup, Taniera Miratana, Jovarn Nofoagatotoa, Colin Hokianga, Uruta Collier, Buffy Wainohu, Willie Schuster, Ramiha Smiler. Substitutes: Rana Huata, Dion Te Ahu, Clinton Vaiusu, Jaamin Pere, Raun Makirere-Haerewa, Jesse Tuhua, Elijah Tuavera.
Omahu: Sharkie Ofa, Quaid Paora, Harris Solomon, Cory Vainu, Roger Paewai, Shamara Brooks, Bronson Hokianga, Rapa Nuku, Patrick Bartlett, Teina Huia, Ivan Renata, Cruze Nuku, Shane Wicken-Tupu. Substitutes: Tama Hawkins, Buster Keefe, Petera Ariki-Kahui, Ricky Ariki-Kahui, Peleti Oli.