The Duane Hihi-coached Gisborne crew showed strength of character and commitment in that match, holding the world champions to 8-7 at the break.
Hihi spoke with passion of his outfit’s motivations going into that game — their last home match of the season.
“Nobody gave us a chance but we had a game plan and knew if we executed it that we had a fighting chance.
“We had to use emotion to ignite the fire with this game and part of our plan was to bring physicality into the contact area — we did that.”
Hastings BHS (19pts) beat Tauranga 21-17 last weekend.
Aidan Kuka, in his third year coaching Tauranga, drew a tremendous performance out of his side at the Rectory last season — a 38-5 win.
Tauranga beat Gisborne 54-0 when the teams last met at Nicholson Field on a wet, windy day two years ago.
Under former Gisborne Boys’ High principal Andrew Turner, Tauranga Boys’ College has a roll of 2200, and 340 players in its 14 teams.
Tomorrow Tauranga outfit will be playing in a charity jersey to raise awareness about men’s mental health.
“We’re going to donate the funds raised to support that,” Kuka said.
The match officials for tomorrow’s four clashes will be Peter Morgan (1st 15) with assistant referees Sean Curragh and Laurence Cockrell.
Curragh will ref the second 15 fixture at 10.30am, while Cockrell has the under-15 game and Peter Hastings the u14s at 9.15am.
GBHS first 15: Malosi Luafalealo, Noah Torrance-Cribb, Franco Ludwig, Joe Kemp, Reuben Whaitiri, Jimmy Moore, Braith Ingram (cc), Luke Bidois, Liam Beattie, Kauri Christie, Timuaki Stewart, Safin Tuwairua-Brown, Puna Hihi (cc), Kaiaio Kerekere-Tangira, Kahurangi Leach-Waihi, Gibson Poi. R: Jahn Niwa-Karakia, Mako Blackman, Tipene Wilson, Taran Wilson, Safin Tuwairua-Brown, David Gray, Levi Soto.
Tauranga Boys’ College first 15: Nickolai Te Huia, Christian Sauni, Faauma Kupita, Lachlan Stevens, Oliver Francis, Aisake Vakasiuola, Hohepa Chandler (c) Aidan Spratley, Charlie Sinton, Aaron Gibbs, Mason Verster, Ashton Paintin, Noah Johnstone, Dylan Henderson, Landen Monks. R: Ryan Palmer, Ryan Dunn, Tom Dyer, Luke Mitchell, Brayden Stowers, Aaron Riley.
GBHS second 15: TBC.
Tauranga Boys’ College second 15: Jyron Bibi, Lazarus Bidois, Ioapa Kupita, Loughlin Keaney (c), Leo Keaney, Mason Hammond, GJ Canterbury, Ketai Zinyowera, Max Broadmore, Caleb Roberts, Quin McQuoid, Kaisami Kapua, Ethan McManimen, Callum Cornelius, Kele Lasaqa. R: Ty Sinkinson, Theo Chan Boon, Liam Preston, Tipense Taikato-Smith, Steven Moata’ane, Misi Tasi, Jay McQuoid.
GBHS under-15s: Joshua Aukuso, Tahana Bristowe, Coen Brown, Storm De Thier, Jasper Drayton-Tuhua, Sariah Houia, Naera Keelan-Wyllie, Darius Kiwara, Ruan Ludwig, Jahdin MacKenzie, Quinn Pirihi-Coutts, Apairoa Pokoati, Nevaryn Rewita, Manawanui Stuart, Patelisio Tavake, Malakai Tea, Tane Te Aho-Hemi, Rakai Ferris.
Tauranga Boys’ College u15s: Jacob Bidois, Zac Horan, Hunter Schwass, Kahn Charlton (c), Donovan Price, Herepete Bidois, Cooper Spratley, Gianni Martin, Malakai Emmett, Khobi Edwards, Tommy McQuoid, Harlan Reedy, Nate McLeod, Jaxton Hodge, Josiah Emmett. R: Willem Englebrecdt, Jake Bowman, Jayden Horler, Nate Handley, Izaiah Rae Potene, Kayden Potene.
GBHS under-14s: Whare Spring, Mahanga Pari, Leaasi Tupou, Taine Poole, Samuel Fox, Isileli Kamoto-Taliauli, Jared Pearse, Jeremy Bryant, Mana Nepia, Jethro Morris, Jimmy Tufunga, Jake Kara, Kauri Kennedy-Hogan, Henry Matete, Anakin Ormsby-Cairns. R: Sunami Tavake, Christopher Maraki, Manoa Nairoiroi, James Maynard-Wilson, Bryant Baxter, Kahutia Crawford, Leyton Hall.
Tauranga Boys’ College u14s: Harper Tuhakaraina, Ryan Blair, Karlo Esera, Jayden Beitje, Te Rua Moana, Zac Simeon, Chance Wells, Isaiah Sauni (c), Nate McDonald, Austin Roper; Jaziah Featherstone, Casey Pearson, Rhayn Taikato, Trace Taikato-Smith, Timothy Saua. R: Riley Brown, Hunter McLennan, Tomairangi Heke, Acelin Buckett-Pye, Cruiz Satiu, Niva Maukoloa, Kaes Harris.
