Squash: Dynamic duo sock it to Aussies

Rhiarne Taiapa and Winona-Jo Joyce were unbeaten while representing the New Zealand Secondary Schools Junior Squash team in Australia last week. Photo / Paul Taylor

Talk about giving them a taste of Kiwi.

Hawke's Bay squash players Rhiarne Taiapa and Winona-Jo Joyce did when representing the New Zealand Secondary Schools Junior squash team in Sydney last week. They were unbeaten in singles and doubles play as the Kiwis thrashed Australia 27-3 in their "test."

Before the test the two 14-year-old B1 graders were unbeaten during three days of singles and doubles play against the Queensland and New South Wales State teams in Sydney. Taiapa was the No 1 for the Kiwi team and Joyce, a relation of former world No 1 Leilani Joyce, the No 4.

"We couldn't be happier with our performances. Hopefully we can repeat them when we play for Hastings at the B grade nationals next week," Taiapa said.

She was referring to the B grade teams nationals which start at Auckland's Eden Epsom club next Wednesday and continue until the following Saturday. Taiapa will play No3 for the team and Joyce, who only took up the sport three years ago, No 5.

The pair, who are both members of the Hastings and Havelock North clubs, were selected for the New Zealand team after helping their Hastings Girls' High School side finish fifth at the 19-team nationals in Palmerston North last month. For the Joel Le Comte-coached Taiapa it was her second time in the national team while the Phil Drummond-coached Joyce pulled on the silver fern for the first time.

"Because we will both be Year 11 students next year we will aim for the New Zealand Secondary Schools senior team which will host the Aussies in Palmerston North," Joyce said.

The fact the pair have another three years left at school augurs well for the chances of their Hastings Girls' High team improving on their fifth placing during the next season or two.

Right hander Taiapa has played squash for seven years and has regularly been compared with New Zealand rep and former world No4 Joelle King because of her strong power game. Two years ago she said she wanted to follow a similar path to King but yesterday said that aim has changed slightly.

"I still want to be a professional but my own version."

The left handed Joyce is also eyeing a professional career in the sport.

"I haven't considered any other career options at this stage," she said.

When they return from Auckland their attention will turn to the Invercargill-hosted junior nationals which start on October 2. Taiapa will play in the under-17 grade because she turns 15 on Monday and Joyce in the under-15 grade.

Both will aim for top four finishes in their respective division and recent form suggests they will tick those goals off. Le Comte predicted two years ago Taiapa would make the New Zealand Junior World team in 2019.

More unbeaten international stints like last week's and she might be hard to ignore for those honours a year or two earlier. Joyce, who pointed out they follow strict nutrition schedules as well as arduous training schedules, could join her too.

It is obvious they are just as organised off the court as they are on it ... right down to thanking their sponsors and parents for all their support.

"There were so many people at our clubs and schools who got behind us ... they were awesome," Joyce added.

Those same people will no doubt have the same impression of this unbeaten international duo.