Rugby: U16 boys just can't find right rhythm

Bay U16 halfback Lincoln McCutchie sparks off a backline move against Taranaki at Park Island, Napier, yesterday. Photo / Paul Taylor

It was a bit like finding themselves held up in traffic at the height of roadworks on the motorway.

That's how Hawke's Bay age-group manager David Russell saw it after the province's boys' team succumbed 28-21 to Taranaki in the opening match of the Hurricanes Under-16 Tournament at Park Island, Napier, yesterday.

"It was a stop-start affair so we never got a good flow," Russell said after the hosts trailed 16-11 at halftime in the division one clash.

"We were good in patches but not stringing phases together."

Wirangi Parata and Jacob Devery dotted down for tries. Pivot Mitchell Drew kicked two penalties while halfback Lincoln McCutchie kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Russell said the penalty count from the referee favoured Taranaki, 14-9.

"Some of them were questionable and left us scratching our heads," he lamented, adding props were pinged in scrums.

With Manawatu pipping Wellington 23-22, the competition is wide open today as the Stu Drew-coached Bay kick off at 2.30pm against the Baby Turbos.

"It's always a challenge to play against Manawatu and Wellington but tomorrow's game will be like playing for the semifinals," Russell said.

Lock Tim Farrell, he said, played his heart out for the Will Tremain/AJ Mua co-skippered side.