Rugby: Vaiusu scores four tries in 40 minutes

Timo Vaiusu scored four tries after taking the field as a second half substitute for the Hawke's Bay Saracens team on Saturday. Photo/File

Centre Timo Vaiusu scored four tries as a second half replacement for the Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby team on Saturday.

The Saracens maintained their unbeaten pre-season run with a 62-12 drubbing of the Poverty Bay Heartland team at Napier's Park Island. Saracens manager Tim Jones said the demolition job was an ideal rehearsal for this weekend's tougher assignment against the Whanganui Heartland team in Marton.

Along with Vaiusu winger Sebastian Visinia was an elusive runner in the Saracens backline and halfback Trent Hape impressed with his clever box kicks. Openside flanker Damien Scott and No 8 Tomo Fogarty were workaholics in the Saracens pack.

The Hawke's Bay Tuis opened their pre-season campaign with a 43-12 drubbing of Taranaki in Ashhurst on Saturday. Tuis coach Steve Woods said he was impressed with the manner in which his players trusted their systems.

"Our forward pack was very good and as a result our set piece play functioned well. The girls enjoyed what they were doing and it was a nice way to start the season," Woods said.

Former Tuis player-coach Chanel Huddleston displayed the benefits of her vast experience with classy shifts in the openside flanker and centre positions. Ra Mason was full of aggression during her stints at blindside flanker and loosehead prop.

Three-time world champion Black Fern Emma Jensen shone with her option taking in both the halfback and first five-eighth positions.

Hawke's Bay under-19s lock Aiden Flemming will miss the remainder of the season after collecting knee and ankle injuries in his team's 38-25 loss to the Whanganui Development team in Palmerston North on Saturday. Flemming remained in Palmerston North Hospital after his team returned home on Saturday.

Hawke's Bay manager Mike Smith said his troops performed well in the second half after trailing 19-5 at halftime and had the opportunity to win before the Whanganui side scored with the final play of the game. Utility back Luke Johnson and Kyle Cornelissen, who had stints at first five-eighth and fullback, were the pick of the Bay backs.

Starting No 8 Jacob Stephenson and Magpies hooker Jacob Devery were prominent in the Bay pack.