Rugby: Pivots back respective trips to deliver

Napier Boys' High School first five-eighth Henry Williams (left) and his Hastings Boys' High School counterpart Shamara Brooks will have influential roles today. Photo/Warren Buckland

Which pre-season international trip will pay off the most ... Napier Boys' High School's or their Hastings Boys' High School counterparts?

That's a major question in the countdown to today's Super 8 1st XV rugby second round clash between the two unbeaten Bay teams in Hastings. Pundits with a fair bit of rugby nous are suggesting Napier's three losses to bigger and more rugged opponents in South Africa could prove more beneficial than Hastings campaign at the World Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan which saw them have five relatively comfortable wins against Asian opponents before losing to Fiji's Ratu Kadavulevu School in the final.

Put the question to Napier Boys' High School first five-eighth Henry Williams and his Hastings Boys' High School counterpart Shamara Brooks and naturally they will back the expedition of their respective teams.

"We had a really good start against Gisborne Boys last weekend and came out firing. Part of that was because of our South African trip which prepared us for our season here ... we played for each other," Williams said referring to their 47-20 win against Gisborne Boys' High School last weekend.

"That trip brought us together as a team. We learnt a lot about each other as rugby players and everything else. Because we moulded as a team we came back with a bit of confidence."

A 17-year-old year 12 student, Williams, is in his second year in the 1st XV and will play his 33rd match for the side today. The former Hawke's Bay under-16, 14 and Ross Shield representative who played his junior rugby at the Havelock North club is optimistic about the visitors chances of recording their first win against Hastings since 2015.

"Our team is up for it and the boys are ready to go. We just have to stick to our structures and play hard and simple."

Williams, who kicked five conversions last week, pointed out his side has set a couple of realistic goals for the season - improving each week and making the Super 8 final. He hopes to be selected for the Hawke's Bay under-18 team's camp this season and he also wants to crack the under-18 team which will take on the Hawke's Bay under-19s.

Brooks, 18, is also a second-year 1st XV player and a product of the Havelock North junior rugby system until his 12th grade year with Hastings Rugby and Sports. He was the hero of last week's 17-15 win against Palmerston North High School with a try, two conversions and a last second match-winning penalty.

"I had to get it for the team. It was a tough game ... our first games are always tough," Brooks said.

"Our Japan trip was a good one. It did bring the boys together. It was a good opportunity to jell and for our younger players to learn more ... we're happy with where we are at.

"We're hoping to win the Super 8 title again and go from there."

A former Hawke's Bay Ross Shield representative, Brooks, has also represent the Bay in touch at under-16 and open men's levels. He is aiming to score an academy contract for next year either in the Bay or out of the province.

HBHS principal Rob Sturch stated earlier this season he believed winger Michael Naitokani has the potential to be better than last year's prolific try scorer Kini Naholo. Hastings lost some key forwards at the end of last year in Baby Blacks loosie Devan Flanders and front rowers Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe and Kiani Kereru-Symes as well as talented backs in Folau Fakatava, Danny Toala and Lincoln McClutchie.

Napier's forwards are big and fit. While Hastings backs are slightly better they may not get enough ball to display their superiority.

There's no doubt it should be a close encounter with a three point margin either way. It will be interesting to see how the respective coaches, former Magpies mentor Brnedon Ratcliffe for Napier and one of his former Magpies Tafai Ioasa for the hosts, use their respective benches.

Teams for the midday clash:
Hastings Boys' High School: Gideon Kautai, Joeli Rauca, Andrew Hayward, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Michael Naitokani, Shamara Brooks, Latrell Ah Kiong, Liam Udy-Johns (captain), Connor Wadley, Donovan Mataira, James Green, Sam Taylor, Corban Kireka, Damarus Hokianga, Zac Southwick. Substitutes: Jacob Dorward, Matt Wilson, Posala Hunt, Emil Crichton, Ngiyaani Waters, Arana Murphy, Eldius Oli.

Napier Boys' High School: Pereiha Hubbard, Jayden Stok, Leo Thompson, Keegan Christian-Goss, Jack Sheridan, Henry Williams, Angus Kilmister, Luke Russell, Sam Henderson, Josh Gimblett, Tiakai Fabish, Frank Lochore, Patrick Teddy, Tyrone Thompson (captain) Jayden Walker. Substitutes: Haydn Davis, Manaaki Aranui, Oskar Lynch, Rob Slabberkorn, Treyah Kingi-Taukamo, Qunta Tawhai, Max Anderson.