Brothers to lock horns for the first time on field

BACK IN their younger days Izy and Elijah Martin would bask in the glory of outplaying their older cousins in games of rugby and bull rush on the grounds of Moawhango's Whitikaupeka Marae near Taihape.

Said Izy, who at 21 is three years older than Elijah: "We were always in the same team and never had the opportunity to give each other the bash."

However, that will change as the brothers mark each other for the first time as opposing locks when Elijah's Carters Frame and Truss Taradale side challenge Izy's Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical for the Challenge Trophy in their fourth round Tui Nash Cup match at Whitmore Park today.

"I'm sure if I get the chance I'll let Izy know I'm there and Izy will be thinking the same thing," Elijah said.

"We are the underdogs but we can use that to our advantage. If we play our normal game we're in with a chance."

Elijah pointed out simple mistakes, a sinbinning and a conceded converted charge down try let Taradale down in last week's 26-23 loss to Hastings Rugby and Sports.

"Playing premiers has been an awesome new experience. It doesn't have the same speed as first XV rugby but it's a lot more physical," Elijah explained.

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Academy player was in the Napier Boys' High School first XV last year and has represented the Bay at under 18, 16, 14 and 13 levels.

"I want to make the Bay's high performance squad ... I know I have to keep working hard," said Elijah, who has played every minute of Taradale's three games to date.

While he regards playing premiers in his first season out of school as a career highlight making the New Zealand under-17 training camp, the national top four competition with NBHS last year and winning the Hurricanes under-16 tournament in 2010 also feature prominently on the list.

Elijah is in his first year of a visual arts and design course at EIT. Izy is in his third and final year of the same course.

Izy, who has also represented Hawke's Bay through the age groups but had three years in the NBHS first XV, is predicting a close encounter today.

"There are two good forwards packs and two young and exciting backlines. I'm hoping the fact it's our club day will give us the edge."

Their father Ross, who along with their mother Ngawini makes the four hour return trip from Taihape each weekend to watch the brothers play, is predicting a draw.

"That guarantees him a free beer either way," Izy said.

"We'll be easy to spot on the sideline.

"I'll be wearing a Taradale shirt and Ngawini will be next to me in a Tech one," Ross said.

Progressive Meats Havelock North head coach Tom Blake will be coaching his team for the 100th match when the villagers host MAC at Anderson Park today. Blake was first involved with the coaching of the team in 1990 as an assistant to Brenton Dooney.

Blake, had his first stint as head coach from 2002 to 2005 and tasted Nash Cup glory twice during this stint, in 2003 and 2005 when the side was also Maddison Trophy finalists. Blake also coached Havelock North to a Maddison Trophy semifinal in 2009 and in his 99 games to date has guided the side to 84 wins and 15 losses.

Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist, who like Havelock North are unbeaten after three rounds in the Nash Cup, will challenge Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports for the Leadbetter-Macdonald Cup at Park Island. Other games today will see Tamatea host IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports at Bill Mathewson Park and Central host Clive at Waipukurau's Central Park.