Whanganui Tane relish open style

OPEN PASTURES: Te Rangatira Waitokia makes a rare break for the Whanganui Tane in the senior final of the Te Tini A Maui tournament against Wellington yesterday. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

IT WAS one game too far for the Whanganui Tane at the conclusion of a hot very two days at City College for the Te Tini A Maui tournament.

Hosted outside of Palmerston North for the first time in 10 years, a smaller turnout of 10 teams played in three grades - although the senior men's division was still very strong with Whanganui, Wellington, Taranaki, Manawatu and Horowhenua Kapiti taking part.

Whanganui, under coach Vaan Rauhina, had some talent in an all-Ruapehu front row of Gabriel Hakaraia, Roman Tutauha and Tawhio Gupwell, along with other noted representative players like Taihape's Tremaine Gilbert and Ratana's Kane Tamou and Te Tua Kemp.

"These boys always step up when it comes to Maori rugby," said Whanganui Maori Rugby Board chairman Alan Davis.

"The open style rugby is still prevalent in these tournaments."

On Saturday, Whanganui defeated Horowhenua-Kapiti 29-14 and Manawatu 33-5, while Wellington accounted for Taranaki 36-12 to set up the yesterday's final.

Fielding some big ball-runners, Wellington crossed for five first half tries to virtually seal the outcome with a 31-5 lead, and although Whanganui camped in their 22m for most of the third quarter they were unable to bash through.

Both defences opened up late in the match, with Wellington down to 14 after a sinbinning, for the final score of 48-10.

"[Whanganui] did it the hard way, because of the draw," said Davis.

"Wellington, they only played one game.

"They're at that NPC level, that team also plays RDO [Rugby Development Officer competition] - playing as a unit throughout the season.

"They're a really sharp team. Our boys have done well, but it comes down to depth."

In the other grades, the Wairarapa Bush Colts beat their Manawatu counterparts 31-12.

A young, still developing Whanganui women's team played in the Wahine grade and lost to Wairarapa Bush 27-0 and then heavily to Manawatu.