Rugby: Rose Kupa could be Tuis addition coach

It's a big call but one Hastings Rugby and Sports premier women's rugby coach Joe Heather is prepared to make.

Heather is tipping his centre, first season player Rose Kupa, to make the Hawke's Bay Tuis this season.

"Rose might be in her first season but I reckon she is good enough," Heather said after Kupa scored two tries in a 34-10 win against Clive at Farndon Park on Saturday.

Kupa, 23, who hasn't played any sport until this year is prepared to give the Tuis a crack if the opportunity arises. The daughter of former Taradale prop Kerry Kupa and sister of Tamatea loosie Tawhai Kupa recently returned to the Bay after a stint with the army at Linton.

"I'm as nervous as hell out there on the field but I'm fit enough," Kupa said.

Locks Kataraina Clarke and Diane Hepi and hooker Rozarna Kamau all led by example in the Hastings pack and provided plenty of ball for the likes of Kupa to strut their stuff. It was a 12-a-side match as Clive were missing 11 regular players through injuries, netball or work commitments.

"We may end up having to play some of our games during the week if that's what it will take to keep the competition going," Clive coach Cheryl Heremia said.

Her best players were lock Nina Houston, hooker Jess Carter and first five-eighth Te Maari MacGregor who scored both of the visitors tries.

Experienced loosie Turina Paku was an inspirational figure in defending champions Napier Technical's 45-5 win against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Tamatea Park. She had a huge defensive workrate, always broke the advantage line with the ball in hand and her organisation of her younger teammates at kick off time was first class.

Prop Natalie Cotton and No8 Chanel Huddleston also had high workrates in the winning pack. First five-eighth Sylvia Bockman impressed with her option taking and did well to land five of her seven attempts at goal.

Second five-eighth Jess Bennett again shone in the Tech backline. Props Nicky Evans and Jess Fibbes, hooker Emily Greeks and openside flanker Chrystal Kireka were all valuable contributors to the host pack. First five-eighth Krysten Duffill was again classy in all aspects of play.