Rugby: Rugged red head peaking at right time

Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV rugby prop Zac Southwick charges into the Palmerston North defence last week. Photo/Duncan Brown

When it comes to eligibility Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV prop Zac Southwick is one of those lucky rugby players.

That's lucky enough to be eligible for three different countries - England where he was born, New Zealand where he has lived since he was 10 and Ireland through his mother Sharon.

"I'll probably opt for Ireland if the opportunity comes," Southwick said.

The 18-year-old year 13 student knows that possibility is a long way off and his immediate focus is today's Hurricanes semifinal against St Patrick's College Silverstream at Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua.

"It would be good to get them back and have a crack at retaining our title," Southwick said.

He was referring to a 14-7 loss to the Wellington outfit in May. That game was played soon after the Hastings team's return from their second placing at the Sanix World Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan. Southwick said the Hurricanes and national champions were a bit tired.

Like his teammates, the second year 1st XV player knows if Hastings win today and Napier beat St Pat's Town, the two Hawke's Bay teams will meet in next weekend's final in Palmerston North.

"It would be good to make up for the last time [a 27-7 loss in June] against Napier but it's important we take things one game at a time. It's good this year that all the teams are pretty even so it will come down to which team fronts on the day," Southwick said.

He agreed that after a passive start to the season the Hastings forward pack was peaking at the right time.

"We don't have the biggest pack but we are starting to work well together as a unit now.

"Our pack went really well and our whole team had our best performance last weekend," Southwick said, referring to a 43-21 win against Palmerston North Boys' High School.

He played the first 55 minutes of the match and produced his best display in 1st XV colours. While Southwick can play both sides of the scrum he prefers the loosehead role.

Taking that into account it's no surprise the rugged red head ranked former Magpies looseheads Clint Newland and Sona Taumalolo as his heroes.

A product of Clive School and Havelock North Intermediate, Southwick played his junior rugby for Clive. He intends to play for the Maddison Trophy holders next year before heading out of the province in 2020 to study to become a primary school teacher.

Experienced first five-eighth Shamara Brooks is expected to miss the match with hamstring and quad concerns. In his absence regular halfback Latrell Ah Kiong will start at first five-eighth and his deputy Charlie Varcoe will start in the No 9 jersey.

Regular first string fullback Gideon Kautai is again unavailable with his concussion issues and Eldius Oli, who performed well against Palmy, gets another start.

The Hastings Boys' High School team for the 12.30pm match is:
Eldius Oli, Joeli Rauca, Andrew Hayward, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Michael Naitokani, Latrell Ah Kiong, Charlie Varcoe, Liam Udy-Johns (captain), Connor Wadley, Donovan Mataira, Julian Goerke, Emil Crichton, Matt Wilson, Damarus Hokianga, Zac Southwick. Substitutes: Jacob Dorward, Tini Nuu, Sam Taylor, Ngiyaani Waters, James Green, Daemon Brough, Adam Bibby.