Boys' High suffer bruising Super 8 defeat

Rotorua Boys High School 1st XV player Kaleb Trask in action against Hastings Boys' High School in Rotorua today. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV suffered a bruising defeat to the top ranked team in the fourth round of the Super 8 competition.

The national champions lost 39-15 to Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV at home today, after being behind 19-8 at half-time.

With perfect weather conditions Rotorua Boys' failed to utilise their quick-footed backs and poorly executed lineouts cost them dearly.

Hastings Boys' slid over for an impressive seven tries with two conversions whilst Rotorua Boys' touched down for two tries with one conversion and a penalty.

Coach Ngarimu Simpkins was disappointed with the result but said his team were outplayed by a an opposition full of quality.

"We got beaten by a better team. They were a well drilled side but we'll take a lot out of this game though," he said.

"I thought our tackling let us down a little bit today and we gave them far too much of the ball.

"We definitely need to pick up our game in the set piece area. The ball they did have they just executed really well and that was the difference on the day.

"It's back to the drawing board now for us.

There are three more rounds left in the competition with the two top teams playing off for the Super 8 Shield on August 13th.

And Rotorua Boys' are still in with a good shot, despite this loss, thanks to three previous wins in a row beating Tauranga Boys' College, Gisborne Boys' High School and last weekend's 25-18 home victory over Hamilton Boys' High 1st XV.

They face Napier Boys' High School 1st XV away next weekend and Simpkins has stressed that this defeat will not affect his team.

"It is not panic stations for us and if we can take some good lessons out of this we will be fine," he said. "Our leaders just have to stand up and we have to nail that set piece."

Manager Bruce Buckton added: "We certainly want to get our hands on the trophy again."