Rugby: Rep hopefuls impress coach in trial (+video)

Tino Nemani, Bay of Plenty Steamers Team Blue player, takes the ball up in last night's trial at the Rotorua International Stadium. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Bay of Plenty Steamers head coach Clayton McMillan took much from a positive trial game played in clear, frosty conditions at Rotorua International Stadium last night.

"What we saw was 50-odd guys really committed to the cause who showed great attitude and the competitiveness was reflected in the close scoreline," he said.

"I am really happy that we certainly saw an intensity from what we have seen at club rugby which is what we wanted to see.

"There are still six weeks before we name our squad and eight weeks before the ITM Cup kicks off. It is the business end of the season so this is where we expect the players who played tonight to really be standing up and showcasing their talents.

"But the door is very much still open for all players."

Team Gold dominated the early stages and scored first through Mount Maunganui's Marnus Hanley, who crossed over again later in the half with help from Whakatane's flying Fijian winger Jone Lagibola.

Regular try-scoring hooker Joe Royal opened the scoring for Team Blue after one of many elusive runs on the night from impressive Tauranga Sports fullback Jesse Dodunski.

Rotoiti prop Ziggy Fisiihoi showed his loose forward skills to score a smartly taken try to give Team Gold a 19-7 lead at the halftime break.

Tim Bond crashed over for Team Blue to start the second-half scoring, with his Te Puke Sports mate Eru Wanu-Smith showing plenty of grit to force his way over.

A last-minute try to Mount Maunganui's Ben Tyler clinched the game for Team White.

With Dan Hollinshead training with the Chiefs, first-fives Pera Gibbs, John Dodd and Nick Evemy all looked assured, with Te Rangi Fraser having few chances at fullback in the second spell.

Among many individual battles so typical of trial games, the clash between Rotoiti No8 Lionel Skipwith and his opposite Jesse Acton from Tauranga Sports was a beauty, while Matty Axtens and former Waikato rep Zac Hohneck both impressed at openside flanker.

In a gesture certain to please supporters throughout the union, head coach McMillan brought in some of the legends of Bay rugby to assess specific areas of the trial. The guest selectors were Ngarimu Simpkins (hooker), Warwick Morehu (prop), Steve Axtens (lock), Wayne Ormond (blindside/ No 8), Charles Te Kowhai (openside), Charles Hubbard (halfback), Ronnie Preston (first-five), Darrell Shelford (midfield), Matt Te Pou (winger), Steve Milne (fullback).

This sharing of knowledge can only be a positive move for today's players.

Team Gold 24 (Marnus Hanley 2, Ziggy Fisiihoi, Ben Tyler tries; Nick Evemy 2 con)

Team Blue 21 (Joe Royal, Tim Bond, Eru Wanu-Smith tries; John Dodd 2 con; Te Aihe Toma con).