Rugby: Coleman stars in victory

He's one of the smallest on the field but there is no denying Liam Coleman has one of the biggest hearts when it comes to playing for Whakarewrewa.

The openside flanker was a standout in his side's narrow 22-15 win over Opotiki Sports at the weekend.

Playing in front of a festive Puarenga Park crowd, the Rotorua Boys' High School teacher produced one of his best games since a compound fracture of a thumb last season.

If stealing opposition ball was a crime Coleman would have served a life sentence for the number of times he turned over or stole Opotiki's attacking ball.

Coleman said being able to turn over opposition ball was essential for a player of his size.

"It's always good to mix it up in the rucks.

"You know being a smaller loosie, I've got to try and do something and turnovers is something that I've sort of worked on and tried to make my own sort of thing."

Coleman's coach Maurice Stone senior is also quick to support the nuggety flanker.

"I think he has done that consistently throughout the season and he has been a real asset in terms of that, turning ball over for us."

Stealing ball and turning over possession was vital in a game where both teams had similar attacking abilities.

Especially on the counter attack with both sides able to turn half chances into points.

All of Opotiki's points came from talented fullback Te Amo Wilbore who scored two tries a penalty and a conversion.

Both tries came from turnover ball deep in their own territory.

He combined well with his twin Te Hata to give Whaka all sorts of grief.

Stone senior said he expected nothing less from his Opotiki counterparts.

"Opotiki, we expected them to be quite hard, especially after their loss to Tauranga Sports last week.

"I'm thinking they had a couple of players out last week and so they put all of their eggs in the basket this week."

Stone said his side turned over to much possession to keep Opotiki in the match, something he'd be working on this week.

In other matches in the premier division, Tauranga Sport sneaked a win in the final minutes of the match against Mt Maunganui 27-26, Te Puna thrashed Paroa 41-12, Greerton Marist were equally impressive beating Rangataua 45-7 and last year's champions thrashed their grand-final opponents Rotoiti 32-9.

Scorers: Whakarewarewa 22 (James O'Neill, Bauro Kairaoi tries; Maurice Stone 4 pens) Opotiki Sports 15 (Te Amo Wilbore 2 tries; Te Amo Wilbore 1 con, 1 pen) HT: 11-12

In Division one, Katikati beat Waikite 43-27, Rangiuru beat Te Teko 44-32, Kahukura beat Whakatane Marist 15-6, Poroporo beat Ngongotaha 25-22 and Marist St Michaels beat Ruatoki 15-7.