De La Salle too sharp for GBHS

TRY!!! Delight on the sideline as Gisborne Boys’ High flying fullback Kahurangi Leach-Waihi crosses the stripe past a despairing tackler who was unable to stop him. This was one of the high points for Gisborne during Thursday’s interschool First 15 rugby defeat to De La Salle College of Auckland. Picture by Paul Rickard

The quest to get better has begun in earnest for Duane Hihi’s crew.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 that beat Mount Maunganui College 32-0 and Tangaroa College 38-0 tasted defeat yesterday. Auckland 1A force De La Salle College beat them 27-10 at the Rectory.

“That game was a good test for us, against opposition a level up,” said head coach Hihi.

“We prepared well for it and got into our systems quickly, but our immediate focus will be on our execution of basic rugby skills. We need to be more consistent with those.”

GBHS captain second-five Puna Hihi won the coin-toss in glorious conditions and the hitherto unbeaten hosts played with a strong westerly breeze at their backs.

Two minutes into the match, which was played in quarters, referee Miah Nikora awarded the home team a penalty for a high tackle 26m from the goal-line, in front of the posts. First-five Ruan Ludwig landed a penalty goal for 3-0.

Left wing Timuaki Stewart made a magnificent ball-and-all tackle shortly after and Ludwig went close to creating a try on the far side with a grubber kick.

The variation and accuracy of his kicking game is an asset to the team.

In the eighth minute, referee Nikora  awarded De La Salle a penalty 15m back from Gisborne’s posts. Fullback Nokise Manuleleua drew the scores level at 3-all.

In the 14th minute, the Auckland team took the lead with a fantastic try to blindside flanker Some Wulf, the result of a hair-raising, scarcely believable break during which seven would-be tacklers were left behind.

Manuleleua made the conversion attempt to put De La Salle up 10-3 at quartertime.

Following a great build-up and fine support play, the Aucklanders in the 27th minute showed blistering pace to score their next try, 15m in from the corner. Manuleleua converted his own try for 17-3.

A side lacking resilience might have fallen away with an injury to its captain, but GBHS No.8 Luke Bidois, deputising for Puna Hihi, grew a foot in stature.

The Gisborne team scored a truly great try 32 minutes in. Fullback Kahurangi Leach-Waihi beat all others to  a kick-and-chase over 30m to score. Ludwig converted for GBHS 10, De La Salle 17.

In the 35th minute, down the left side came De La Salle openside flanker Otireta Teiava to score the fourth try of the match. It was not converted and at halftime,  the score was 22-10 to De La Salle.

After a scoreless third period, the Aucklanders sealed their first win of the season with a try to centre Troy Sanday, who scored off a great last pass from Wulf. That try was not converted.

The final score of 27-10 was not a true reflection of how competitive GBHS had been throughout. Who will forget the monster tackle Bidois made on De La Salle tighthead prop William Leau towards the end of the game, or the flair the Gisborne team showed?

They have won games and can win games in the future. They support the ball-carrier. They have muscle, a hard-working pack, and backs who show enterprise. They play good rugby and fight hard for their colours.

Their next assignment is the fourth home game, against another titan of Auckland secondary schools’ rugby, Kelston BHS, who will play Gisborne here on April 5.