'D' words help win grand final

A couple of well-meaning "d" words helped Whakarewarewa to the 2006 Baywide premier rugby title.

Defence and discipline were big contributors as Whakarewarewa beat Rotoiti 18-17 in the grand final of finals on Saturday at Rotorua International Stadium.

A colourful crowd of 3770 witnessed the red and blacks' winning effort in a game which see-sawed and never looked wrapped up given Rotoiti's ability to strike through its many line breakers.

Whakarewarewa captain Greg Gillies said his side had worked extremely hard on both areas during training.

"Nocky [coach Alan Nock] told us defence and discipline would get us through.

"They've let us down, at the start of the season but it was all from that [last] Rotoiti game, it was the turning point - our discipline last week was outstanding - I think we only gave one penalty away through discipline," Gillies said.

"The big improvement has been our defence, especially that last 10 minutes - it got us through at the end."

Whakarewarewa had been kicked off the park a couple of times this season but the boot was definitely on the other foot as their burly No 10 Kelly Haimona used his right foot to nail two crucial penalties and convert his own bullocking first-half try.

It's no coincidence Whakarewarewa's most consistent showings have been since Haimona, who missed a heap of games through injury, returned to the action.

"I said to Kelly Boy [penalties] were going to win us the game and his boot was on, he only missed one, he got some long kicks out there," Gillies said.

The pick of them was the first when the just turned 20-year-old opened his side's scoring with a thumping 38-metre penalty from the left-hand touchline which responded to Rotoiti's opening converted try.

After the initial settling down and jousting period, Rotoiti gathered a well worked try to winger Patrick Tuhakaraina after halfback Mike Murray worked himself into space.

Haimona's try was a beauty and it's doubtful any other first five eight could have scored it. He stands over 6 feet and carries more than 110kgs and once he got momentum inside the 22, a few would-be Rotoiti defenders were left trampled in his wake.

Like the good side they are, Rotoiti came back with a set move try, bringing in fullback Vesi Rauluni on the angle with winger Kerry Tahana finishing the 45 metre move.

Rotoiti's hooker and captain Joe Marsters added the conversion as they moved to 14-10.

It was about then two defining moments occurred.

Firstly Marsters copped a knock in a ruck. It left him dazed and eventually the Cook Island international hooker had to leave the field.

Then Rotoiti conceded a ruck penalty inside their half which Haimona struck superbly to send the teams to halftime at 14-13.

With Marsters making his final kicking contribution just after halftime, Rotoiti extended the paper thin lead to 17-13. Whakarewarewa winger Eroni Seibouma put his side ahead when he finished off once fullback Trent Vatselias drew the final defenders.

Haimona missed the wide angled conversion to set up a thrilling final 10 minutes.

Rotoiti threw everything into finding the winning points and despite earning two kickable penalties - one each to Glen Martin and Tuhakaraina - they both missed the mark while Marsters sat groggy on the sideline.

"They could have done with a kicker because they had a couple of opportunities to take the game," Gillies said.

"We were happy to see him [Marsters] go off because his goal kicking's pretty outstanding."

Marsters said it would take some time for his side to get over their second final loss but Whakarewarewa were deserving winners on the day.