Rugby: Jordan shows touch of class

Rotorua Maroon's Jordan Tuakana-Hudson was class as his side dispatched Whakatane in the Tai Mitchell third and fourth playoff yesterday. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua may not have been represented in yesterday's Tai Mitchell final, but at least one of their players looks destined for representative duty.

Rotorua Maroon first five-eighth Jordan Tuakana-Hudson, who made the New Zealand under-15 touch team in January as a 12-year-old, was in a backline class all of his own on finals day as he steered his side to a comfortable 38-17 win over a gallant Whakatane side.

The Rotorua Intermediate pupil was the tournament's leading scorer, kicking beautifully off the tee and in general play and routinely skipping past defenders to send his outsides away with beautiful passes off both hands.

Pleased his side had gone out on a high note after a disappointing loss to eventual winners Tauranga East in Tuesday's semifinal, Tuakana-Hudson reflected on what had been a long week on home soil.

"The boys played hard and probably could have played a bit harder during the tournament, but we came through with a win today," he said.

He had been unaware he was the tournament's leading try scorer until Tuesday, but knew within minutes of coming from the field yesterday that his four conversions had boosted his tally from 52 to 60 points.

The 13-year-old is an avid rugby union, rugby league and touch player, but is in no hurry to commit to one sport at such an early stage.

"Sometimes touch is during the week and rugby and league is on Saturdays and Sundays so usually I can make it."

He missed out on playing in the tournament last year due to rugby league commitments, but said he would likely opt to play rugby union when the time comes to specialise.

The exciting playmaker will continue to play rugby for both his school and club team Waikite ahead of a New Zealand under-15 touch training camp at Rotorua Boys' High School in the next school holidays.

Rotorua Maroon manager Rawiri Wihapi paid tribute to the performance of his flyhalf and to that of his mobile pack.

"We've got one of the best loose forward trios in the tournament and having Jordan out there makes it all the more special."