RUGBY: Napier man makes Ross Shield history

SHANE HURNDELL
Napier coach Steve Woods would be excused if he decided to take a break from Ross Shield rugby.
After all Woods deserves one after coaching Napier to a first-ever five consecutive titles in the Wattie's-sponsored event at Central Park, Waipukurau yesterday.
But he's been asked to apply for the Hawke's Bay Ross Shield team's coaching job in the future and will be at next year's Wairoa tournament checking out the talent like he has done for the past six years as Napier coach.
``The players deserve all the praise ... they've put in the hard yards this year,' said Woods after his troops completed a clean sweep for the week with a 50-5 win over Hastings East.
``I was pretty lucky this year ... most of the boys have been well coached at their clubs. We just had to mould a few of the others in,' he added.
It was no surprise 11 of his players made the tournament team. His captain and centre, Shae Tucker, who scored 12 tries in five games - a tournament record, was named captain of the Hawke's Bay side and gutsy Napier vice-captain Jesse Barker was selected as vice-captain.
Outstanding Wairoa flanker Luke McKenna had the biggest smile at the tournament's prizegiving. His team received the Ron Pierce Cup for Fair Play and the sole Wairoa player named in the Bay side took home the Taupo Trophy for player-of-the-tournament.
``I have been playing rugby since I was eight. This is the highlight of my career,' said McKenna. The fact he is a diabetic and has to have medication on a daily basis made his achievements more of a feat. McKenna attributed his success to the club coach he has had for the past five years - former Magpies lock Matt Bird.
``Matt is an awesome coach,' added McKenna as he continued to be smothered in congratulatory handshakes.
Results: Scorers in yesterday's final round of games: Napier 50 (Billy Kerr 3, Logan Gowler 2, Shae Tucker, Thomas Eden, Jesse Barker tries; Graeme Tryon 4, Sam McNicol cons), Hastings East 5 (Scott Brocklehurst try). HT: 14-5. Dannevirke 44 (Wharemako Paewai 6, Ethan Bradey, Brad Monaghan tries; Bradey 2 cons), Wairoa 29 (Ben Lee 2, Luke McKenna, Paul Te Kahu, Te Hauwaho Wesche tries; Wesche, Seddon Smith cons). HT: 24-15. Hastings West 25 (Alex Withington, Walter Konia, Xavier Smith, Faamata Va'a, Nick Biss tries), Central 5 (Jason Cutbush try). HT: 10-5. Final standings: Napier 20, Hastings West 16, Hastings East 12, Dannevirke 8, Central 4, Wairoa 1. Ron Pierce Cup (for Fair Play): Wairoa. Taupo Trophy (for Player of the tournament): Luke McKenna (Wairoa). Hawke's Bay Ross Shield Team: McKenna (Wairoa); Barker (vice-captain), Michael Buckley, Logan Sheriff, Braxton Robinson, Logan Ede, Tryon, Gowler, Tucker (captain), Kerr, McNicol, Jared Selby-Mullins (all Napier), Hugh Renton, Len Juan Mihaka Rossiter (both Hastings West); Scott Brocklehurst, Brigham Hereaka, Shayden King-Edwards (all Hastings East); Whare Mako Paewai, Ethan Bradey (both Dannevirke); Daniel Waitoa, Jacob Goodger (both Central).