Rugby: Star Timu's patience pays off for Hastings club

Star Timu will play his first rugby game in 14 months when he turns out for Hastings Rugby and Sports today. Photo / Paul Taylor

Mention sevens and Hastings Rugby and Sports utility back Star Timu's eyes light up.

A member of the 2010 World Cup-winning New Zealand under-20 team, Timu, 27, loves his sevens. He has represented Hawke's Bay at the national sevens tournament and played a key role in his club's 2013 and 2014 title wins at the Hawke's Bay Sevens in Waipukurau.

"I could have made my comeback in Waipukurau back in February ... the temptation was definitely there. But I just took my time and decided to wait until this weekend," former Magpie Timu said.

When he comes off the bench for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports against another unbeaten team, Progressive Meats Havelock North, in the feature Tui Nash Cup third-round clash at Anderson Park today it will be his first game in 14 months. Timu missed the entire 2017 Hawke's Bay club season after collecting an Achilles injury at the New Zealand Marist Spillane Cup tournament in Palmerston North.

"It's all healed now. I've been training since October and I've been able to do contact stuff for the past month," Timu explained.

An old boy of Te Aute College and Hastings Boys' High School, Timu, has played all of his club rugby since leaving school for Hastings Rugby and Sports. He also had a season with Rodez in the French federation one comp.

The Flaxmere College English and Physical Education teacher agreed he couldn't have picked a better match to celebrate his return.

"Hastings and Havelock North matches are always tough. We've been main rivals for a while now. I'm grateful to be playing again and I'm happy to be helping our Hastings Rugby and Sports brothers out," Timu said.

He is hoping to link up with long-time teammate Ausage Fomai in the Hastings Rugby and Sports midfield but is prepared to play where ever the coaching staff want him to.
"I can't wait to see how the body goes. It will be an exciting game and I'm confident we can come out on top."

Timu said he has been impressed with the Hastings team's form to date and particularly the impact of four Hastings Boys' High School products - utility back Danny Toala, halfback Folau Fakatava and props Aleki Vuki and Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe.

"They bring a lot of energy and the props are big and mobile," Timu added.

Toala is likely to start at first five-eighth again but this will depend on how his body is after playing for the Hurricanes Development team last night.

Havelock North manager Gary Revell confirmed the villagers will start Spain first five-eighth and 2017 Magpie Dan Snee after recent international commitments. He is looking forward to gauge the progress of promising newcomers, winger Tawhiri Gifford-Kara and halfback Caleb Harmer, should they get game time off the pine.

"Two consecutive wins have given us a bit of oomph but Hastings will start as slight favourites after a good pre-season. At the same time we're pretty keen to try and make it three from three," Revell said.

His club has secured the services of Japanese backs Shota Takano and Toshi Amino from Tamatea be didn't expect the necessary paper work to be completed in time for them to play today.

Defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist should register their 37th consecutive win in Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy play when they travel to Waipukurau to take on winless Northfuels Central. Captain Chris Johnston and his troops will be disappointed if they don't win by at least 22 points, such are the high standards they have set for themselves in recent seasons.

If Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical can reproduce the form displayed in last week's loss to NOBM they will be capable of a 20-point victory against winless Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Tamatea Park. Unbeaten Taradale Rugby and Sports also have the potential to win by 20 when they host MAC at the Tareha Recreational Reserve.

The closest game of the round is likely to be played at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park between Jarks Tamatea and K9 Petfoods Clive. Tamatea should win by seven.