Rugby: West Auckland prevail over a plucky BOP side

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The sight of New Zealand's fastest man training on the track during the Roller Mills rep clash was an unexpected surprise for the crowd at the Tauranga Domain on Saturday.

Papamoa's sprint champion Joseph Miller continued his impressive 200-metre wind sprints shirtless on a chilly afternoon, while inside the track the Bay of Plenty under-13 boys found their bigger opponents from Auckland West formidable foes.

Bay eventually went down 20-12 in a spirited performance.

The Bay loose forward trio of captain Ta Ao Himiona, Nikki Jacobs and Melino Fotu impressed with their tackling and work rates on a tough day.

Auckland West jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, with slick finishing from their talented backline in the slippery conditions, with Keenan Abbey scoring one and looking every inch a future star like his New Zealand Warriors under-20s brother Bradley.

Bay fought back well but were punished for trying to run the ball out of the danger zone. Lock Taiwhanake Waaka-Peters showed his skills and speed to break through and score to close the gap to 7-10 but Auckland West scored again before the break after a sustained attack.

Bay of Plenty started the second half well, scoring a good team try finished off by James Austin, to close the gap to just three points. Auckland West took full advantage of a tighthead to cross for their fourth try and they held on for a 20-12 win.

Bay of Plenty coach Cliff Honey says his players did not follow the game plan to try and kick their way out of trouble for territory.

"Unfortunately when you have kids at this age they tend to decide their own fortune," he said. "We actually put messages out for them but it is hard when boys make their own decisions.

"We are getting better and better, and would have been in with a shot if we hadn't lost our first game to Northland. It is a short programme we have had to work with and we are just starting to get it together now. We have had three games, two losses and a win, and we have Thames Valley next week, which we should win."

Bay of Plenty 12 (Taiwhanake Waaka-Peters, James Austin tries; Jordan Tuakana-Hudson con) Auckland West 20 (Keenan Abbey, Nafahu Whyte, Rylee Samuela, Malipolo Manukia tries)

BOP rep results on Saturday

BOP Development 27 Northland Development 23

BOP Under-19 22 Waikato Harlequins 17

BOP Under-18 10 Waikato Harlequins 21

BOP Under-16 Development 8 Counties 27

BOP Sec Schools Girls 65 Thames Valley 0

WBOP Under-14 70 EBOP 0