Rugby: Unbeaten Hastings Boys' High book semifinal berth

Captain Liam Udy-Johns was again a commanding figure in the loose for his HBHS team. Photo/File

Centre Andrew Hayward was showered in praise after Hastings Boys' High School secured a semifinal berth at the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan yesterday.

"Andrew was outstanding on defence and shut down their space and time well," HBHS manager Jason Bird said after his troops beat Japan side Toin 31-19 in their quarter-final at the 16-team event in Fukuoka which caters for the best First XVs in the world.

Unbeaten HBHS produced an outstanding defensive display in the first half and led 24-0 at halftime in the match, which was played in humid and wet conditions.

Once again head coach Tafai Ioasa and his assistant Karl Lowe, who have both played for the Sanix Blues in Fukuoka, were able to give their subs plenty of game time in the second half.

"Maintaining the intensity for the full 60 minutes [all games are 60 minutes, not 80] is still a work on for us," Bird said.

Along with Hayward, first five-eighth Arana Murphy operated well in the Hastings backline and dictated terms with aplomb. Lock Sean Baker ruled the lineouts and No 8 and captain Liam Udy-Johns and flanker Daemon Brough were commanding figures in the loose.

Baker, Brough, Udy-Johns and wingers Michael Naitokani and Joeli Rauca scored tries for Hastings and Murphy kicked three conversions.

While there were plenty of bumps and bruises to deal with after the final whistle Bird said there were no major injuries after his team's fourth consecutive win.

Bird pointed out there was able to be more dialogue between the Japanese referee and his players than there was in their previous outing.

"While the ref's English wasn't perfect it was definitely better than the non-English referees we had in previous games."

Semifinals are scheduled for tomorrow and the final on Saturday.

Bird said HBHS were scheduled to meet the winner of the quarter-final between Osaka and hosts Fukuoka in their semifinal.