A member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools team which won all four of its games last year, Mikaele-Tu'u, who is a No8 in 15s and can alternate between wing and the front row in sevens, helped Hastings Boys' High School finish second at last month's national secondary schools Condor Sevens in Auckland. Like the Hawke's Bay Sevens team that HBHS team was coached by former New Zealand Sevens rep and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tafai Ioasa who had no hesitation in naming the Wellington-born Mikaele-Tu'u in his Bay side which won the Levin-hosted Central Region nationals qualifier with an unbeaten run last month.
"Tafai knew what he was doing with our school team. But I didn't think I would be up for this Rotorua trip," Mikaele-Tu'u said.
The former Hawke's Bay 18s, 16s and 14s rep got limited game time in Levin and didn't fire as well as he should have.
"I've been with the Bay team for six weeks now and my confidence has got better and better as time has gone on. The coaching staff placed a big emphasis on my fitness and this has made things easier. Consistency on attack and defence has been another work on for me.
"As a team we've also been looking for consistency and the need to keep the foot on the throat," Mikaele-Tu'u, who described himself as "the baby and quiet one" in the Bay team, explained.
Last year's male award winner at the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools Sportsperson of the function, Mikaele-Tu'u, will head to Wellington later this month to begin his Hurricanes Academy contract. While in the capital he will start his three-year International and Business Management course.
"Because of my rugby commitments it may end up taking me four years but I'll be happy with that. It's going to be different going in another direction to my brother because we have woken up and seen each other for the past 18 years but hopefully he does good up in Waikato," Mikaele-Tu'u said referring to his twin brother Antonio who will attend Waikato University on a Waikato Rugby Union scholarship.
Mikaele-Tu'u will return to Hawke's Bay in June with the aim of making the Magpies team for their pre-season matches.
"While it's neat to compare Marino with Akira he still has to earn his stripes. I'm equally as excited about how well our other youngsters like Mason Emerson, Jonah Lowe and Kaleb Whakataka do in Rotorua as well," Ioasa said.
"I'm looking forward to what they do at sevens and how they add value to the Hawke's Bay union outside of Sevens."
Ioasa made one injury-forced change to the team he took to Levin with talented Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports outside back Matt Garland replacing former Magpies and New Zealand under-20 winger Penikolo Latu who strained a hamstring. Garland impressed for the Pirate club in their Maddison Trophy success and Hawke's Bay premier rugby league title win.
"It's a shame for Peni because he worked hard. However, an opportunity has opened for Matt and he is keen," Ioasa said.
"I'm really enjoying the culture in this team. It's important we stick to our systems and do the little things right both defensive and on attack," Ioasa added.
TOURNEY DETAILS
What: National Sevens tournament.
Where: International Stadium, Rotorua.
When: Today and tomorrow.
HB Pool Games today: 11.45am v Taranaki; 3.15pm v Wellington; 5.55 pm v Otago.
Quarterfinals tomorrow: From 11.25am; Semifinals, from 2.05pm. Cup final, from 5.30pm
The Aerospread Ltd Hawke's Bay team: 1 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 2 Jonathan Ruru, 3 Matt Garland, 4 Mason Emerson, 5 Sisa Vosaki, 6 Kaleb Whakataka, 7 Jonah Lowe, 8 Ellery Wilson, 9 Shannan Chase (Co-captain), 10 Lewis Marshall, 11 Neria Fomai, 12 Billy Ropiha (Co-captain).
