Rugby: Te Puke see red at sending off as Mount advance

Mount Maunganui halfback Sami Fisilau runs into his opposite Jono Kitto, with Te Puke flanker Dan O'Rourke right, while Johan Bardoul, far left, and Matt Wallis have an off-ball skirmish.Photo/Ron Pearson

Mount Maunganui Sports will play in Saturday's Bayfair Baywide final after beating Te Puke Sports 35-20 at Murray Salt Stadium on Saturday.

But the red card sending off of Te Puke flanker Dan O'Rourke in the 11th minute will stir emotions on both sides long after this season is over.

O'Rourke had made an early mark with two huge tackles and an off-ball scuffle with Mount Maunganui flanker Johan Bardoul, but a more serious exchange between the two was reported by assistant referee Amon Rimene.

His advice was a red card for O'Rourke for punching, although O'Rourke later said he was retaliating to being hit himself. Referee Richard Jensen sent off O'Rourke and essentially Te Puke's season went with him.

Given the intensity and importance of the match, and the fact no player was injured in the fracas, a yellow card would have been a much more sensible option.

The decision became an even bigger talking point after 20 minutes, with Mount Maunganui leading 6-0.

Te Puke fullback Elliot Hagen made a brilliant break from inside his 22 and as he chopped inside the final defender on the Mount 10-metre line, he was knocked to the ground by a swinging arm from Malakai Kisina that hit him across the head. There was no doubt the foul play saved a certain try and it forced a heavily concussed Hagen out of the match a few minutes later.

Kisina was given a yellow card for what was a game-changing offence and there was certainly evidence for a much harsher penalty.

Mount Maunganui made full use of the wind behind them and the extra man, to go to the break 19-3 ahead, thanks to Cayden Matahaere's fine goalkicking and a well-worked try finished off by evergreen centre Zar Lawrence.

Te Puke showed plenty of their renowned fighting spirit at the start of the second spell but were down to 13 players for 10 minutes after a yellow card for repeated offences defending their line, which made it an impossible task.

Flanker David Whitecliffe-Davies scored a try in his 100th game for Te Puke and gutsy winger Declan Barnett and centre Junior Tofa Va'a also scored before the end for the home side, but tries to Kisina and Mason Walker meant Mount Maunganui never looked like losing this one.

Mount Maunganui 35 (Zar Lawrence, Malakai Kisina, Mason Walker tries; Cayden Matahaere con, 6 pens) Te Puke Sports 20 (David Whitecliffe-Davies, Declan Barnett, Junior Tofa Va'a tries; Dan Hollinshead con, pen) HT: 19-3.