Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby winger Penikolo Latu had tongues wagging after the Hawke's Bay Under-20s opened their Hurricanes campaign with a 54-18 drubbing of Taranaki at Napier's Park Island on Saturday.
Despite not having trained with the Alexander Construction Hawke's Bay under-20s all week because of his Magpies training commitmentsNew Zealand under-20s rep Latu scored three tries within 15 minutes of taking to the field as a second-half replacement. It was his first outing since 57 minutes of action in the Magpies 23-10 loss to Taranaki in New Plymouth on September 11, his only taste of ITM Cup play this season.
"I know how a lot of these boys play," Latu said, referring to his Tech teammates, halfback Sheridan Rangihuna and first five-eighth Tamati Samuels, who sparked the backline well.
"I prefer the familiar surroundings of Park Island than away venues. At the same time I can't wait to get back up to the Magpies but I know I have to wait for opportunities," Latu added.
Midfielders Jackson Neilson and Timo Vaiusu again impressed in the Bay backline while captain and No8 Aaron McPhee and lock Ben Parsons were prominent in a pack which dominated a woeful visiting unit.
Hawke's Bay under-18s coach Steve Lloyd will be seeking more physicality and improved defensive work against Manawatu at Park Island on Saturday in the wake of the weekend's 31-20 loss to Wellington at the same venue. Lloyd agreed poor physicality levels, particularly in the first half contributed to some soft turnovers.
"We improved in the second half and everything going to plan we will meet Wellington again in our Hurricanes final. Our boys want another crack at Wellington," Lloyd said.
Fullback Mason Emerson was the best of the Bay backs but needs to be given more quality ball. Props Callum Hardie and Sean Morrison and flanker Hugh Renton had high workrates in the Bay pack.
The weather conditions were poor in Palmerston North on Saturday but they didn't stop the Hawke's Bay under-14s from producing some polished and entertaining rugby in a 59-0 drubbing of their Manawatu counterparts. First five-eighth Nikau McGregor scored four tries and kicked three conversions in a player-of-the-match performance.
