Rugby: Ramsay brothers to clash for first time

Taradale second five-eighth Nathan Ramsay (left) will play against his brother Tech halfback Dylan Ramsay today. Photo/Duncan Brown

Texts between the Ramsay brothers Nathan and Dylan have been unusually quiet this week and dinner invites have definitely been off the agenda.

Teammates in the past the pair will clash for the first time on the rugby field when Nathan's Taradale Rugby and Sports will host Dylan's Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical in the feature Tui Nash Cup Hawke's Bay premier club third round clash at the Tareha Recreation Reserve today. The pair had been Tech teammates during the 2015, '16 and '17 seasons but Nathan opted to return to the pair's home club this season.

"Because of work commitments I may only have one or two seasons left in me and I want to finish my career at the home club where Dylan and I played all our junior rugby as well as colts and development grade stuff," second five-eighth Nathan, a trainee lineman for Unison, explained.

Dylan, who is almost five years younger at 22, has been starting at first five-eighth in recent weeks and had he started in the No 10 jersey today there was a chance the pair would clash on a regular basis when the visitors used the one-out defensive system. However Dylan will start at halfback.

"I'm sure we will both find a way of meeting one another on the field some how so we can show some brotherly love," Dylan, a cable joiner for Unison, said.

Nathan, who spent a season playing in the Middle East in 2013, said he is looking forward to playing against his former teammates as well as his brother for the first time. He pointed out the hosts have bene fitted from the return of several players who were absent during last weekend's upset 49-28 loss to MAC.

"Although we still wanted to win last week it was tough because it was a crossover match and no competition points were at stake. This week there was a bit more excitement at training," he said.

Three key players who will be missing from the hosts team sheet will be fellow former Texan and former Magpies loosie Kaleb Sweet, midfield back Kaleb Whakataka and outside back Ashton Tuck.

"Being more physical and playing to our game plan are the keys to our team winning," Nathan said.

"Both teams know the winner of this game will earn a home quarterfinal. Our parents are coming up from the South Island to watch so it's a big one for the family," Dylan said referring to their parents Jacqui and Steve.

Was he tempted to follow his brother back to Taradale?

"I could have gone back but I played my blazer game [50 matches] for the Texans last year and we got a new coach [Asa Ene] this year so I thought I would see how this season goes," Dylan replied.

While former Magpies lock-loosie Trent Boswell-Wakefield and former All Black Sevens rep Tamati Samuels are still on the injured list the Texans will welcome back captain and hooker Tere Joel from injury.

"If we can play like we did against Napier Old Boys Marist [a close 35-25 loss] we should be away," Dylan added.

The clash of the brothers has the potential to be a seven pointer either way. It's a similar scenario at the bottom of the ponts table in a clash which will see Northfuels host another winless outfit, Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports, at Central Park. Defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist are capable of beating K9 Petfoods Clive by 27 at Farndon Park.

Another close clash is expected at Elwood Park where Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports will host MAC. The hosts should win by nine to maintain their unbeaten run.

Progressive Meats Havelock North should sneak in by six when they host Jarks Tamatea at Anderson Park. Former Tamatea imports Toshi Amino and Shota Takao will be on the villagers roster.

■ Hawke's Bay rugby fans will get an early gauge as to how the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV are trucking in their quest to win the national top four competition for the second consecutive year when they host their Wellington College counterparts in the feature match of the annual College Day at Park Island tomorrow.

The other 12noon encounter at the Hawke's Bay Saracens-organised day will see Dannevirke High School take on Central Hawke's Bay College. In 10.30am tussles the respective 2nd XVs from HBHS and Wellington College will clash and Karamu High School will play Taradale High School.

At 1.30pm Te Aute College will meet Wairarapa College and Wairoa College will take on Freyberg High School. In 3pm battles the Lindisfarne College 1st XV will play the Napier Boys' High School 2nd XV and St John's College will meet Wanganui High School. Entry is by gold coin donation.