When it comes to the sport of touch Hawke's Bay's Nui Bartlett has been there and done that.
The former Magpies rugby flanker's touch CV includes an under-19 world title, two national under-21 men's titles and five national Maori titles as a player. Yesterday he was all smiles as he added his first national title as a coach after his Hawke's Bay under-15 mixed team won their Nelson-hosted nationals with a 6-5 win against Auckland in their final.
"I'm just so relieved the kids lived up to their potential," Bartlett said as he watched his troops collect their winners' medals.
Asked if there were players in the side who could follow his path and gain international honours Bartlett replied:
"Definitely. There's a lot of talent in this team and I'm sure you will hear about them making New Zealand mixed or open teams in years to come."
In their first game against Auckland yesterday Hawke's Bay lost 6-2. This put them into a sudden-death semifinal against Horowhenua-Kapiti which they won 8-7 to secure another crack at the Aucklanders.
In the final Auckland led 3-1 at halftime. Hawke's Bay fought their way back to 3-all and the score was 5-all at the end of regulation time which forced the match into drop offs.
Both teams were down to three players when Hunta Marsh scored the winning try.
Considering the side had been withdrawn from the nationals last month by the Touch Hawke's Bay executive for a variety of reasons, including claims previous coach Charlie Wynyard and assistant Layton Dunn weren't suitable role models for their respective positions, the title was a huge achievement. The side was only told last Monday the decision had been changed and they travelled south on Thursday to begin play on Friday.
Bartlett took on the head coach role when his brother and fellow former New Zealand open men's representative Anaru Bartlett, who was only appointed last Monday, withdrew on Thursday because of his work commitments as the Hawke's Bay development officer for New Zealand Rugby League's Mid Central zone.
"It was a joy to see the team get on the ferry. To see the players take the title after all the crap which has gone down was a bonus," said Dunn who managed the team.
Hawke's Bay finished the tournament with eight wins and a loss. On Saturday Hawke's Bay beat North Harbour 9-3, Canterbury 11-1, Bay of Plenty 7-5 and Southland 4-3.
Before the Southland match Bay captain Mataeus Marsh told his players "this game is for Charlie".
This was an indication the work Wynyard had put in during the last four months including the winning of the Central Region title hadn't gone unnoticed.
One of the conditions of the team securing approval to attend the nationals was Wynyard vacating the coach's role.
The winning team was: Mataeus Marsh (captain), Buster Keefe (vice captain), Hunta Marsh, Paedon Araia, Beau Ross, Ivan Hokianga-Renata, Talon Robinson, Laine Robinson, Reggae Harris, Jess Kupa, Sharleigha Thompson-Dunn, Summer Wynyard.