Tai Mitchell: Rotorua Maroon finish strong

Rotorua Maroon finished third in the Tai Mitchell Tournament. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua Maroon has finished off the Tai Mitchell tournament with a resounding 38-17 win against Whakatane in the third and fourth playoff at Rotorua International Stadium.

The side, directed beautifully around the field by pivot Jordan Tuakana-Hudson, ran rampant in front of a healthy crowd in the six-tries-to-three victory to claim the Gavin Parkinson Shield.

Tuakana Hudson was particularly impressive, passing beautifully with both hands and repeatedly putting his outsides into space as the hosts built a 21-5 halftime lead that was never threatened.

He was joined in the tournament team - which is separate from the Roller Mills selection - by bollocking number eight Nikki Jacobs and second five-eighth Caleb Piua, who was sponsored by Bay of Plenty and Highlanders prop Kane Hames.

Maroon manager Rawiri Wihapi was pleased with how his players bounced back following a tough 17-10 loss to eventual winners Tauranga East in the semifinal.

"It's always nice to bounce back after being knocked out in the semifinals," he said.
"We had the boys to go all the way but obviously you have to win the semifinal to make the final, but we're happy with the win today and the boys are too."

He praised the Rotorua organising committee for running a well organised tournament and stressed the importance of fostering talent throughout the Bay of Plenty in the junior ranks.

"All I can say is that if we keep fostering the talent at this level then Rotorua rugby would be strong and Bay of Plenty Rugby would be strong."

Tauranga East raced out to a surprise 25-5 halftime lead in the final against their Tauranga counterparts, before giving up 19 unanswered points to take the Tai Mitchell Shield by a solitary point.

- Rotorua Maroon 38 (Jack Henry-Hapeta, Christopher Werner, Sean Field, Nikki Jacobs 2, Zeiza James tries; Jordan Tuakana-Hudson 4 cons) Whakatane 17 (Ethan Wharawera, Kade Taylor, Jack Oswald tries; Rihari Jobe con)

Tai Mitchell tournament team

Wakaroa McPherson-Nuku (Galatea), Chas Wiremu (Opotiki), Thomas Murray-Edwards (Tauranga West), Taiwhanake Waka-Peters (Tauranga West), Tyzak Rhind (Tauranga West), Nikki Jacobs (Rotorua Maroon), Te Ao Himiona (Te Puke), Melino Fotu (Tauranga East), Ngamura Maui (Rangitaiki), Jordan Tuakana-Hudson (Rotorua Maroon), Dallas Teepa (Whakatane), Ezra Pretley (Te Puke), Jack McManaway (Tauranga West), Ethan Robb (Tauranga East), Caleb Piua (Rotorua Maroon).

Tai Mitchell awards

Shepheard Trophy - Tauranga East
Jim McKinnon Trophy - Melino Fotu
Bill Murray Trophy - Te Puke
Rob Shaw Trophy - Whakatane
Gavin Parkinson Shield - Rotorua Maroon
Lawrence Boynton Shield - Tauranga West
Tai Mitchell Shield - Tauranga East