Whanganui land big win

The mixed Whanganui touch team (from back left) Cornell Mason (coach), Hawea Meihana (technical advisor), Stephan Perofeta, Blair Osborne, Kalib Houltham, Mitchell Millar, Hoani Whanarere, Cody Hemi, Harerangi Meihana (capt), Vilimoni Koroi, Dan Tamehana (assistant coach). (Front) Michelle Mischewski, Chaeli Manuel, Ruhia Tamati (co-capt), Taniko Tamehana, Roimata Blackburn, Tariana Turia and manager Shell Tamehana, are the new national U17 champions. Photo/Supplied

Whanganui U17 mixed touch rugby team showed real grit when beating Auckland in the final at the 2014 Junior National Touch Championships in Papamoa at the weekend.

The 14-strong squad went through Pool A play unbeaten claiming the high-profile scalps of Bay Of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Kapiti Horowhenua, Canterbury, Taranaki and North Harbour before meeting a strong Auckland side in the semifinal.

The unbeaten run in pool play virtually gave them a life in the semis and Whanganui needed it after going down 7-6 to Auckland in extra time in the morning session.

The rules dictate that the traditional six on field during a match is reduced to three during extra time.

Coached by Cornell Mason and co-coach Dan Tamehana, the Whanganui mixed rep side did not lose faith and came out guns blazing in its second semi against Otago securing the win and the chance to again tackle Auckland in the final on Sunday afternoon.

"They really rose to the occasion and were not overawed," Mason said.

"To go through unbeaten in two days of pool play was amazing and that gave us a life in the semis. The first game against Auckland was close and we only went down by one point in extra time. We then beat Otago allowing us to come out and avenge that earlier loss to Auckland.

"The final was a close game too - it was a good game, but close which we ended up winning 7-4," Mason said.

The mana attached to victory in such illustrious company in this grade is huge and made even stronger given it was Whanganui's first season flying solo.

Until last season Whanganui was part of the Central Force made up of players selected from Taranaki, Manawatu and the home players. However, Manawatu decided to go it alone this season leaving both Taranaki and Whanganui to field their own rep sides. Manawatu and Taranaki finished down the order at the U17 nationals at the weekend. Meanwhile. late yesterday it was announced that Villimoni Koroi was picked for the New Zealand U17 Boys and Stephan Perofeta, Roimata Blackburn, Tariana Turia and Taniko Tamehana made the New Zealand U17 Mixed Team.