Rugby: NBHS tips national champs with "homegrown" talent

NBHS captain Tyrone Thompson attempts to dislodge the ball from HBHS hooker Damarus Hokianga on Saturday. Photo/Paul Taylor

You don't need imports to be a force on the national secondary schools rugby scene.

That was the message from Napier Boys' High School 1st XV head coach Brendon Ratcliffe after his troops beat national champions Hastings Boys' High School 27-7 in their second round Super 8 fixture in Hastings on Saturday. It was Hastings' first loss on New Zealand soil in two seasons.

"This isn't a shot at Hastings because we have the utmost respect for them. It's more a shot at the system in New Zealand where too much poaching takes place. All of our players were at the school from year 9, are homegrown and none are on scholarships. We believe we have a responsibility to prove you can still do it this way ... you can be successful through hard work," Ratcliffe said.

As expected Napier's big and powerful pack was far superior to the Hastings engine room. Napier's superb accuracy on attack was matched by their relentless defence.

"That win was the result of doing the simple things hard and well. Nothing needs to be complicated and we urge our boys to enjoy themselves on defence as much as they do during their time with the ball," Ratcliffe said.

"I was particularly impressed with the defensive job our wingers, Jack Sheridan and Jayden Stok, did on the Hastings pair of Michael Naitokani and Joeli Rauca who are considered to be two of the best in New Zealand."

Captain and hooker Tyrone Thompson, who scored two tries, and tighthead prop Patrick Teddy were inspirational in the winning pack. Thompson pointed out his team wore black arm bands out of respect for fellow year 13 student Angus Apatu, a son of Central Hawke's Bay farmer Renata Apatu, who was killed in a helicopter accident on Thursday.

"It was good to score two tries. But my main focus is the team. That was a good result because we all worked hard together. Now the aim is to maintain this level of consistency for the rest of the season," Thompson said.

He is aiming for Hurricanes under-18 and New Zealand Secondary School selection later in the season. If he keeps producing displays like Saturday's he should tick these goals off.

It was Napier's first win against Hastings, the joint defending champions in the comp with Hamilton Boys' High School, since 2015. Hastings manager Jason Bird said he was proud of the manner in which his troops hung in when their line was pounded for long periods.

"We could have conceded a lot more points. We know what we need to work on now and hopefully both teams will meet in the Super 8 final which will be good for Hawke's Bay," Bird said.

Substitute loosie Ngiyaani Waters had a huge defensive workrate for the hosts and made the most of his limited opportunities on attack. Second five-eighth Jordan Thompson-Dunn was another busy defender for Hastings and was a threat on attack.

Hastings were on the wrong end of a 13-10 penalty count and two of their players, tighthead prop Corban Kirkea and substitute lock Emil Crichton, were sinbinned. Fullback Gideon Kautai organised the Hastings defensive systems well and deserved the hosts' only try courtesy of an intercept.

Scorers:
Napier Boys' High School 27 (Tyrone Thompson 2, Jack Sheridan, Angus Kilmister, Frank Lochore tries; Keegan Christian-Goss con), Hastings Boys' High School 7 (Gideon Kautai try; Shamara Brooks con). HT: 17-7.