Rugby: Taradale's winger an instant hit as flanker

Taradale winger Dan McIntyre scores the first of his two tries in Saturday's win against Havelock North.

Sisa Vosaki shifted from wing to flanker to help solve an injury crisis for Taradale's premier rugby team earlier this season.

"I'm staying there from now on. I'm loving it," Vosaki said after a player-of-the-match performance in the No6 jersey as Carters Frame and Truss Taradale upset Progressive Meats Havelock North 23-16 in a Tui Maddison Trophy ninth-round fixture at Taradale on Saturday to secure a semifinal berth.

Devastating on the charge and courageous on defence, Vosaki, 28, regularly busted the villagers first line of defence. A Fijian who works in the forestry industry, Vosaki played five games for Poverty Bay on the wing in 2013 after arriving in the country the previous year and last year played club rugby in Nelson.

"It was good to get this victory in what was a must-win match for us," Vosaki said.

His form suggested he could join several of his teammates in the Hawke's Bay Saracens team in the future but he said he preferred to concentrate on club rugby. Prop Ezra "The Bus" Amituanai, No8 Kaleb Sweet and captain and lock Andrew Gardner were also prominent in the winning pack while fullback Uta Tupuola was the pick of the backs.

Havelock North were guilty of playing the short game too much as they recorded their first loss in the comp. They also paid the price for not kicking for territory more and not using their subs as well as they should have.

Loosies Zane Rangi and Sam Lamborn had high work rates in the visiting pack where prop Emmanuel Maui impressed with his scrummaging.

-NOBM 35 Clive 19

"We did our bit but Havelock North didn't do theirs."

These were Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist manager Mike Smith's words after this Park Island victory. He was referring to the fact Taradale's victory cost his troops a semifinal berth.

Former midfield back Chris Johnston was again superb at openside flanker. Winger David Benson and hooker Lalu Ta'a were others to shine for the hosts.

K9 Petfoods Clive coach Andy Green said he couldn't have asked for more from his 16 players. Openside flanker James Tango, hooker Jorian Tangaere and second five-eighth Jesse Tuhua all made Green's MVP list.

-Pirate 61 Tamatea 12

Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports won the round robin and booked a home semifinal against Taradale with this Tamatea Park win.

First five-eighth David Neilson captured player-of-the-game honours with quality distribution, powerful bursts and a 21-point haul which included eight conversions from nine attempts at goal. Flanker Lloyd Foote and loosehead prop Kelsey Miller led the host pack by example.

All Black hooker Hika Elliot was inspirational at No8 for Tamatea. Lock Tama Hutana and flanker Tiwai Tomoana were other valuable contributors to the visiting pack and second five-eighth Henare Harris was again the pick of the Tamatea backs.

-Hastings 41 Tech 18

Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports scored an away semifinal against Havelock North with this Whitmore Park victory.

Hastings co-coach Karl Jones said the visiting tight five set the platform in a polished team effort. Prop Dennis Tapusoa, blindside flanker Angus McGuire and second five-eighth Ausage Fomai all featured on Jones' MVP list.

Regular back Jordan Faia relished his switch to flanker for Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical. Fullback Trinity Spooner-Neera and prop Nathan Pulega were others to impress.

-Central 13 MAC 10

MAC coach Anthony Morley was quick to criticise referee Josh Strong after this loss at Central Park, Waipukurau.

"There was a Central player [second five-eighth Lee Stewart] playing his 150th game and there was no way he was going to celebrate it with a loss. There was zero consistency from Josh who I soon gathered was a Central Hawke's Bay boy. We were definitely the stronger team," Morley said.

Northfuels Central coach Exham Wichman said his troops should have won by more but he was happy with the victory.

Stewart and fullback Sam Miratana operated well in the winning backline and veteran Warwick Slingsby was a busy No8.

Flanker Paula Latu and prop Mason Kean battled effectively in the visiting pack. Centre Penikolo Latu, a former New Zealand under-20s rep and first five-eighth Tom Iosefo, a Samoa Sevens rep, displayed the benefits of their international experience in the MAC backline.