He believed omnipresent Melino Fotu, who dotted down twice in the final and was awarded the Jim McKinnon Trophy for being the tournament's outstanding player, had proved the difference.
"Melino is an amazing boy and very, very humble with it.
"He doesn't let things get to his head. He just works hard and plays hard. That was a bonus - having somone like him coming back with that experience. Without him we would not have won."
In an added bonus the side also picked up the Shepheard Trophy for exhibiting the best sportsmanship, and had both Fotu and Ethan Robb selected in the tournament team.
Rotorua Maroon finished off their campaign with a resounding 38-17 win against Whakatane in the third and fourth playoff.
The side ran rampant in front of a healthy crowd in the six-tries-to-three victory to claim the Gavin Parkinson Shield.
First five-eighth Tuakana-Hudson was particularly impressive, passing beautifully with both hands and repeatedly putting his outsides into space as the hosts built a 21-5 halftime lead that was never threatened.
He was joined in the tournament selection - which is separate from the Roller Mills selection - by bollocking loose forward Nikki Jacobs and second five-eighth Caleb Piua, who was sponsored by Bay of Plenty and Highlanders prop Kane Hames.
Maroon manager Rawiri Wihapi was pleased with how his players bounced back following a tough 17-10 loss to eventual winners Tauranga East in the semifinal.
"It's always nice to bounce back after being knocked out in the semifinals," he said.
"We had the boys to go all the way but obviously you have to win the semifinal to make the final, but we're happy with the win today and the boys are too."
He praised the Rotorua organising committee for running a well organised tournament and stressed the importance of fostering talent throughout the Bay of Plenty in the junior ranks.
"All I can say is that if we keep fostering the talentb at this level then Rotorua rugby would be strong and Bay of Plenty Rugby would be strong."
Tai Mitchell scorers, July 9
3rd/4th playoff: Rotorua Maroon 38 (Jack Henry-Hapeta, Christopher Werner, Sean Field, Nikki Jacobs 2, Zeiza James tries; Jordan Tuakana-Hudson 4 cons) Whakatane 17 (Ethan Wharawera, Kade Taylor, Jack Oswald tries; Rihari Jobe con)
Tai Mitchell final: Tauranga East 25 (Melino Fotu 2, James Austin, Mitchell Irwin, Alex Cochrane tries) Tauranga West 24 (Taiwhanake Waka-Peters 2, Marshall Barker, Lesen Huirangi tries; Jack McManaway 2 cons)
Tai Mitchell tournament team
Wakaroa McPherson-Nuku (Galatea), Chas Wiremu (Opotiki), Thomas Murray-Edwards (Tauranga West), Taiwhanake Waka-Peters (Tauranga West), Tyzak Rhind (Tauranga West), Nikki Jacobs (Rotorua Maroon), Te Ao Himiona (Te Puke), Melino Fotu (Tauranga East), Ngamura Maui (Rangitaiki), Jordan Tuakana-Hudson (Rotorua Maroon), Dallas Teepa (Whakatane), Ezra Pretley (Te Puke), Jack McManaway (Tauranga West), Ethan Robb (Tauranga East), Caleb Piua (Rotorua Maroon).
Tai Mitchell awards
Shepheard Trophy (Sportsmanship) - Tauranga East
Jim McKinnon Trophy (Player of the Tournament) - Melino Fotu
Bill Murray Trophy (Plate winner) - Te Puke
Rob Shaw Trophy (Fourth place) - Whakatane
Gavin Parkinson Shield (Third place) - Rotorua Maroon
Lawrence Boynton Shield (Runners-up) - Tauranga West
Tai Mitchell Shield (Winners) - Tauranga East
