RUGBY LEAGUE FINAL: Super sub propels EITSA to silverware

Pouri Fatialofa displayed the benefits of yet another masterstroke from Hawke's Bay's most successful premier club rugby league coach, Waka Leonard, on Saturday.
"It's the first time Waka has used me off the bench. It worked ... I was hungry for action," Fatialofa told SportToday as he reflected on his match-winning role for EITSA in Saturday's premier final at Napier's Park Island.
Substitute forward Fatialofa scored the final try of the game with 15 minutes remaining. With winger Migao Lauano's conversion, it gave EITSA a 28-26 win against defending champions Tamatea and their first title since 2002.
Nine minutes later, Fatialofa made a try-saving ball and all tackle on Tamatea loose forward Hamiora Rowlands just inside his side's red zone.
"That's my second premier league title. I got one with Waka when I played for Seals two years ago ... it's been a good season for me in league and rugby," Fatialofa said.
Earlier this year, he received the award for the best premier rugby forward at the Napier Old Boys Marist club. While EITSA is Fatialofa's third league club in as many seasons after he played for Phoenix last year, he'll be back with EITSA next year.
"It's good with the league starting after the club rugby, as it gives those of us who like playing both the chance to do so," Fatialofa said.
Leonard, 70, who has coached 18 Hawke's Bay premier champion teams since 1980, agreed his subbing proved the difference between the two teams.
"We had the better structure during the last 10 minutes when it counted," Leonard said.
He pointed out he was "too old and wise" to be fooled by Tamatea coach Adrian Rowlands' pre-match talk, which indicated three of his key players, Melbourne Storm-bound utility Tohu Harris, Hamiora Rowlands and centre Jason Robinson would be unavailable because of injuries.
"All three were last-minute decisions prior to kick-off," replied coach Rowlands when quizzed on the issue by SportToday.
"They all did well considering the injuries they had. But at the end of the day, we beat our ourselves by making too many mistakes and letting them in for soft tries."
His team's hopes of a second consecutive title were hit hard when his substitute prop, Ritchie Eagle, spent 20 minutes in the sinbin during the second half. One wag in the crowd remarked Eagle must have liked the look of the chocolate eclairs some of the officials were eating handy to the sinbin chair as he headed for his second stint in the bin.
Along with Fatialofa, fellow substitute forward Mata Moananu was dynamic off the bench for EITSA, and stand-off Johnny Lauano and centre Faryn Ngawaka again had high workrates.
Harris and fellow centre Setu Kereti made the most of their opportunities in the Tamatea backline.
Hamiora Rowlands and loose forward Peni Paselio were the best of the Tamatea forwards. Coach Rowlands didn't go home without a title, however, as earlier in the day his Tamatea under-16 team pipped Tech Seals 24-22 in their final.

* Results - page 14.