Stars of the future on show in Gisborne

RUGBY

Drop what you’re doing.

With the best first 15s in the Hurricanes zone here, rugby fans can’t afford to miss tomorrow’s Tranzit Coachlines First 15 Festival.

Gisborne Boys’ High School second 15 and their Napier BHS counterparts, at School Park at 11am, are among those who get the ball rolling.

Also at 11am, on Rectory ground No.1, Palmerston North BHS first 15 face St Patrick’s College (St Pat’s Town), while on Rectory No.2, Hastings BHS take on Scots College.

At 12.30pm on Rectory 2, Napier BHS meet Wellington College, while on No.1 Gisborne play St Patrick’s College, Silverstream.

All of these teams have intestinal fortitude.

A depleted Gisborne came through to beat Wellington College 47-24 away from home.

No other first 15 in New Zealand have turned their fortunes around in the way that Hastings BHS did. They went from losing 42 consecutive Super 8 games between 2006 and 2011 to unbeaten national champions in 2017.

Supporters who follow the likes of GBHS and Hastings through thick and thin will be out in force tomorrow.

Gisborne head coach Mark Jefferson knows the difference support makes and the lift his team get at home.

“We’re hoping for a good crowd and a fine day so we can play Gisborne’s style of rugby,” he said.

“Our boys back their skills to have a go.

“Without key players, they showed resilience last weekend and are determined to test themselves against the best secondary school teams in New Zealand. They know that the games are only going to get harder week by week.”

Regular skipper Jordan McFarlane is disappointed to still be on the injury list but Khian Westrupp did a fine job as captain last weekend.

“The boys are excited, they’re ready,” McFarlane said.

“They’re missing some experience with four guys still out, but those who have filled our spots will step up.”

Defending champions Napier are under the coaching expertise of former Hawke’s Bay Magpies coach Brendon Ratcliffe.

They beat defending champions Hastings 20-10 to win the Hurricanes title last season and go into tomorrow’s game on the back of a 26-all draw with St Pat’s Town.

Just as good to watch will be Sam Rasch’s Scots College.

Rasch has as his first 15 co-captains two members of the 2018 NZ Condor 7s — fullback Roderick Solo and centre Sage Shaw-Tait, so expect plenty of flair from their backline combination.

Gisborne second 15 coach Graeme Newlands’ side go from not having had games to playing stiff opposition week by week

“We’ve now got six home games back to back,” said Newlands.

“Our aim is to win through hard work. The boys are looking forward to playing in front of family and friends, and they also want to make it hard for visiting teams.”

GISBORNE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL FIRST 15: Kitini Taihuka, Amanakinoa Tonga, Sione Mafileo, Tyla Keelan-Phillips, Kauri Waitoa, Amos Roddick, Khian Westrupp (captain), Nikau Maxwell, Nicolas Proffit, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, TK Reihana, Tuteari Te Rauna-Lamont, Whetu King-Taufa, Matthew Proffit, Braedyn Grant. Reserves: Setefano Tolu, Nathaniel Hauiti, Nik Patumaka, Kirk Ngatai, Ricardo Patricio, Poumana Gemmell.

GBHS SECOND 15: Reweti Ropiha, Matariki Kaa, Moeaki Mosati, Corban Richter, Saylahr Paaka, Sam Twigley, Jackson McDonald (captain), Sitiveni Tuilautala, Bryan Howard, Karauria Whaitiri-Te Miha, Mikaere Marino-Moore, Von Huata, Lyric Baty-Akurangi, Caleb Billington, Adrian Wharehinga-McDonald. Reserves: Kahu Cooper, Joshua Maka, Adam Whibley, Silas Brown, Tyrese Nepe, Kahu Whaitiri-Te Miha, TBC.

ST PAT’S SILVERSTREAM: Julius Masoe, Ignatius Sio, Mika Felix, Zachariah Mathews, Akira Ieremia (captain), Toby Crosby, Jacob Beattie, Peter Lakai, Charlie Nathan, Tom Mannix, Fetala’i Leleimalefaga, Riley Higgins, Tony Solomona, Reihana Dalton, Kobe-joe Vulu. Reserves: Luani Ammunson, Jona Bartley, Marco Venter, Mitch Southall, Rory Woollett, Lachie Forbes, Michael Matagi.

ST PAT’S TOWN: Jason Seumanufagai, Michael Taliau, Noah Tuifao-Galuvao, Christian Chongnee, Bradley Crichton, Malachi Tia, Tom Walsh, Ronaldo Seumanufagai (co-captain), Fano Paese (co-captain), Christian Stenhouse, Herman Seumanufagai, Lorenzo Framhein, Boston Christie, Ariki Wallace, Khya Wilson. Reserves: Lucas Carroll, Siale Lauaki, Rory Woods, Caleb Mapu, Tavita Tafili, Cam Burgess, Sagele Aukusitino.

NAPIER BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL FIRST 15: Jayden Walker, Iaefeta Ma’a, Jake Ward, Frank Lochore (co-captain), Tom Lourie, Chaz Heke, Austin Soanai, Gala Malasia, Hayden Saunders, Henry Williams (co-captain), Nate Chappell, Jayden Stok, Caleb Turner, Bethel Malasia, Ethan Martin. Reserves: Jock Kilmister, Pulea Faleiva, Will Carter, Max Gerber, Liam Gough, Qunta Tawhai, Luke Baker.

NAPIER BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL SECOND 15: Mitchell Curran, Jock Kilmister, Matt Halford, Will Laver, Kaleb Pirie, Max Gerber (captain), Daniel Lynch, Xavier Smith, Liam Gough, Tipene Maxwell, So Uso, Qunta Tawhai, Trae Edwards, Wesley Akeripa, Anthony Faumui. Reserves: Kauri Broughton, Reece Henderson, Thomas Senior, Tyler Simiss, Hugo Lynch, Raymond O’Rourke, Luke Baker.

HASTINGS BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL: Mosese Fineanganofo, Tini Nu’u, Aloese Aiolupotea, Hinkly Crichton, Julian Goerke, Connor Wadley (co-captain), Daemon Brough, Cooper Flanders, Charlie Varcoe, Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiyong, Eldius Oli, Jordan Thompson-Dunn (co-captain), Andrew Hayward, Mefi Tupou, Mercedes Hodge. Reserves: Manahi Goulton, Jeremiah Tuiatua, Josh Folau, Avian Rihia, Fraser Taurima-Heperi, Phillip King-Panapa, Joeli Rauca.

PALMERSTON NORTH BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL: Darius Mafileo, Harlow Apiata, Raymond Tuputupu, Jack Wenham, Tom Hansen, Tamati Ruawai (captain), Soane Fakahau, Elyjah Crosswell, Matty Oldridge, Curtis Heaphy, Tavita Henare-Schuster, Josh Ellingham, Chance Malu, Jayden Keelan, Ruben Love. Reserves: Bryn Gordon, Pulotu Toumohuni, Reuben Davis, Ben Ruawai, Jordi Viljoen, Jack Trotter, Kalani Grant.

SCOTS COLLEGE: Blake Rogers, Sase Va’a, Sione Uhi, Dominic Ropeti, Maes Tema-Schmidt, Isaac Sailo, Tana Maene-Lokeni, Sione Halalio, Shane Colton, Oryaan Kalolo, Ayden Hammond, Muri Stewart, Sage Shaw-Tait (co-captain), Eric Lawson, Roderick Solo (co-captain). Reserves: Jonty Bird, Karl Patchett, Cody Lokotui, Hamish Mansell, Kavagn Wanoa, Ethan Webster-Nonu, Ietitaia Campbell, Coco De Bagolia.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE: Elliot Willis, Christopher Bramley, Cruz Winter, Koloamatangi Aisake, George Tonga, Will Hausmann, George Murray, Ridge Studd (captain), George Sims, Jacob Waikari-Jones, Caleb Stanley, Iverson Mapu-Satiu, Apilasoma Tulua, Josh Williams, Kalin Letoa. Reserves: Jerome Otuhaha, Flynn Crampton, Ciaran Cook, Oscar Quinn, Hamish Fraser, Angus Cooper, Munro Short.

Referees for tomorrow’s games — Keelyn Hall of Hawke’s Bay (Gisborne second 15 v Napier), Sam Thompson of Horowhenua-Kapiti (Palmerston North v St Pat’s Town), Cara Hall of Hawke’s Bay (HBHS v Scots) and Poverty Bay’s Isaac Hughes (Napier v Wellington College) and Oliver Holst (Gisborne v St Pat’s Silverstream).