Fellow loosie Shaun Hawira and hooker Roman Tutauha can be well pleased with their afternoon's work, while centre Tautahi Rawiri backed up some crunching defence with steady goal kicking, including rising from being knocked silly to bang his last penalty attempt over.
Border's best opportunity for in-roads came in the third quarter as first-five Mark Davis and fullback Fraser Middleton began marshalling their guys forward.
But it needed the Waverley team's back three to be firing and winger Aaron Vadiga was all at sea he'd throw reckless passes instead of taking the tackle while his hands let him down at crucial times.
Most pleasing to Ruapehu coach Chris Winter was both Ruapehu's tries came from excellent control and recycling.
Winger Owen King dashed over in the corner and swung around to improve for Rawiri after 10 phases at Border's line, then in the second half Rowe sealed the deal by diving in after an encampment at the 5m zone followed at least 14-15 phases.
It was vital handling given the game was played in topsy-turvy national park weather with both rain and sunshine.
"We're working on our ball control and our patience. Each try ain't going to be easy," Winter said.
He also noted Rowe and Hughes' impact.
"They're good leaders and the boys rise to them."
But far from accepting any crowns, Winter said his team will keep their feet firmly on the ground.
"We're going game by game, we take no-one lightly."
The consolation for Border coach Peter Richardson is his team left Ohakune with more answers than questions.
"We should be able to take a hell of a lot out of the game. We've got a view of them now.
"Just silly mistakes crept in. A few opportunities we had to go wide, where our strengths are, and it didn't work out.
"We were trying to shut their big boys down, rather than trying to play our game."
Rawiri opened the account with a penalty in the seventh minute and had his second at the 14th after good pressure by Rowe.
Busy Border halfback Lindsay Horrocks and second-five Karl Priddle tried to manufacture some chances but Ruapehu's defence and the booming boot of fullback Zyon Hekenui alleviated the strain.
Despite lock Andrew Retallick and flanker Jack Hodge's best efforts, Border could not hold Ruapehu as they clinically drove 25m and eventually freed up King out wide.
Winger Sailosi Naoiso still looked promising on the kick and chase and after trapping Ruapehu down deep, Davis landed his first penalty.
Tutauha appeared to have Ruapehu's answering try when he cut through and dived under the posts, but referee Sean Moore eventually pulled it back due to reserve Shaun McDonough throwing a punch in front of the linesman.
Border came out firing in the second spell as Horrocks and Davis began finding gaps with lock Sam Maddams just held up in the corner.
Another Davis penalty narrowed the gap to seven as Border clawed back a territory advantage but poor hands from Vadiga and others proved costly.
Regrouping, Ruapehu took play to Border's line and the inevitable wave finally broke through for Rowe's try.
His pack even claimed a tighthead in the dying minutes to get the infringement for a dazed Rawiri to wrap things up.
McCarthy's Ruapehu 21 (Owen King, Peter Rowe tries, Tautahi Rawiri 3 pen, con) bt Waverley Harvesting Border 6 (Mark Davis 2 pen). HT: 13-3.
