Rugby: Pikiao reigns supreme in Te Arawa Pa wars

Ngati Pikiao player Rhys Hohepa is tackled during the Te Arawa Pa Wars final against Tuhourangi at Puarenga Park on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser

It was a grand final Te Arawa style.

In fact, you could have been excused for thinking it was a drive-in movie - dozens of cars parked around the number one pitch at Puarenga Park on Saturday to watch the Te Arawa Pa Wars grand final unfold between Pikiao and Tuhourangi.

Amid all the hype, Pikiao came away champions defeating Tuhourangi 58-30 to win the Ohomairangi Hapu Trophy for the second year running.

Supporters and whanau who braved the wet conditions on the sideline jeered and cheered as the players battled it out for the pride of their iwi.

Pikiao's James Ryan said all the whanau coming together made it a spectacular occasion.

"The main thing is when you look around and see all the whanau and spectators.

"It's as big as a grand final atmosphere," he said.

"It's about bringing everyone together and it was a huge success this year,"

Ryan, who helped lead Pikiao's forward pack in the final, said it was an important tournament for Te Arawa.

"We want it to get bigger and better every year.

"We had been losing it for a while and we wanted to bring it back. There is a lot of depth in Te Arawa."

He said it gave the players, especially the young players, a lot of pride to represent their iwi in front of their families.

Ryan said hats off to all four iwi who took part in the tournament - Tuhourangi, Ngati Whakaue, Te Awahou, and Pikiao.

"I have got to give credit to Tuhourangi," he said.

"That was a good game out there today and both teams had their chances ... but we managed to pull away a bit."

Pikiao started a strong side for the final with a cluster of key players from the Pikiao Rugby League Club.

Meanwhile, Tuhourangi also started a strong side with plenty of rugby union experience.

Tuhourangi posted the first points of the match thanks to a thrilling run from their giant back rower.

However, Pikiao hit back with three tries before a flurry of entertainment closed the half.

Tuhourangi scored in the corner and came agonisingly close to regaining the lead but a great defence foiled their plans.

The try-saving strip shifted momentum back to Pikiao who found another gear to score three more tries, taking a 32-10 lead into the break.

Following a short comeback by Tuhourangi after the break Pikiao closed out the game with five more tries, winning it 58-30.

Top performers included brothers Chanse Perham (Tuhourangi) and Shayde Perham (Pikiao) and Pikiao teammates Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Kahu Huata.

In the earlier game on Saturday, Te Awahou defeated Ngati Whakaue 32-18.

A trial for the Te Arawa rugby league team is planned for next weekend, with a team selected for the Labour Weekend Maori tournament at Puketawhero Park.