Rugby: St Kents prop to appear in fifth final

Sesimani Tupou in action during the 2012 finla. Photo / Getty

St Kentigern tighthead prop Sesimani Tupou will suit up for what is surely an unprecedented fifth consecutive Auckland 1A First XV final when he faces Auckland Grammar at Eden Park in the decider.

Tupou started as a Year 10 student in the first of St Kentigern's five consecutive finals in 2011. The east Auckland private school have won four of them, and meet the defending champs from 2014, who qualified second but were only one bonus point behind them on the round-robin log.

"He's had his fair share of injuries. It's a tough grind in his position, but it's a tribute to him and the guys around him. He's a good team man," said St Kentigern coach Tai Lavea, ahead of a clash that habitually draws well in excess of 10,000.

Two key young men who did not play in the 2014 final for St Kentigern are loosehead prop Jerry Samania, son of former Manu Samoa No 10 Toa Samania, and lock Paripari Parkinson, a lineout ace who took the man of the match honours in the semifinal, a rugged 20-3 result against Sacred Heart. Captain Dalton Papali'i will be ubiquitous as ever at No 7.

There is healthy respect between the coaches of both schools.

"We have played these guys eight times in the last four years, so we know each other well, " says Lavea.

"They are class across the board. Dave (Askew) is a smart operator as coach and they don't try and overdo it. Wiseguy (Faiane) is an influential player at No 10 for then."

Faiane had his kicking boots on last week as his five goals helped Auckland Grammar edge King's 19-12 in a dour semifinal. Much will again rest on his shoulders. He handled the pressure of the 2014 playoffs very well, and his combination with nuggety halfback Melino Fineanganofo is central to what Auckland Grammar do. They also have a solid midfield combination of Matt McKenzie and Loketi Manu, while Freedom Vaha'akolo is dangerous from the back. In their pack, captain Antonio Ripata and lock Connor Wihongi lend experience and skill, while the loose trio of Paterson Carter, Brandon Payn (in the mould of 2014 skipper Rob Harris) and Sione Havili are possibly under-rated, though not by St Kentigern.

St Kentigern have some potent weapons in their backline, namely fullback Etene Nanai, wing Wesley Tameifuna and second five Braydon Ennor. Two sweet backline tries against Sacred Heart is recent evidence of their danger. Carlos Price has made a good fist of the No 10 position since moving out one to cover injury.

Askew says he has a full complement to choose from, so the injury curse has been mercifully absent at this stage of the season. Auckland Grammar's set-piece is a strength and he says confidence will be taken from how they fronted against the powerful King's scrum last weekend. But there is little point in focusing on history when First XVs change markedly every year. The well-deserved 31-26 Auckland Grammar victory in the 2014 final at Western Springs or the 12-10 St Kentigern win last month in the round-robin will count for little if anything.

"We don't talk about payback or wins and losses from last year. We take it as a game on its merit," said Askew.

The midday curtainraiser will feature the 1B final of Liston versus Onehunga. Both teams will contest the 2016 promotion-relegation series with Otahuhu and Tangaroa for two places in the 1A.

Auckland 1A First XV final
St Kentigern v Auckland Grammar
Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, 2.45pm

St Kentigern: Etene Nanai, Wesley Tameifuna, Salimoni Tukania, Braydon Ennor, Rupena Parkinson, Carlos Price, Henry Saker, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Dalton Papali'i (c), Kayleb Milne, Cole Watson, Paripari Parkinson, Sesimani Tupou, Sam Toloke, Jerry Samania; Reserves: Scott Murray, Cameron Millington, Jack Marks, Sila Tituti, Jamie Orr, Rivez Reihana, Mitchell Gibson, Sean Barrett

Auckland Grammar: Freedom Vaha'akolo, Sean Cassidy, Loketi Manu, Matt McKenzie, Simeon Latu, Wiseguy Faiane, Melino Fineanganofo, Paterson Carter, Brandon Payn, Sione Havili, Connor Wihongi, Finn Perkinson, Antonio Ripata (c), Antonio Miguel, Kaynan Sitiene-Tua; Reserves: Hector Law, Heimana Raea, Lesinali Faleafa, Sam Johnson, Seth Baker, Sione Latu, Ngarimu Rupapera