Right winger Joe Tikicidre scored a double in his second game for the Wekas.
Hooker Ngahiwi Manuel, blindside Kupu Lloyd, replacement hooker Hayze Nepia, replacement lock Harawira Kahukura and replacement winger Kayleb Te Whare all had their second game with the senior reps. Te Whare marked his with a try.
The hit-out gave a great indication of what needed work . . . EBOP were quick to exploit the ruck and find space behind it.
The Wekas quickly identified this as a problem and tidied it up, but not before conceding a try.
Halfback Ra Broughton began Poverty Bay’s points rush with a try in the fourth minute. He dummied from the base of the scrum and crashed over to score.
Kelvin Smith converted the try off the dirt as the kicking tee’s arrival was delayed.
No.8 Stuart Leach brought to Poverty Bay the physicality he hs shown throughout the Premier club season. He created an overlap from the scrum on the blindside to draw in defenders, then offloaded to Smith, who drew in another defender to give Tikicidre space and with some great footwork, he beat two more defenders to score.
EBOP had quickly put the pedal to the metal with a try in the opening minutes.
“They exposed us a couple of times around those ruck areas,” Poverty Bay head coach Miah Nikora said.
“We were probably a bit tight in terms of our defence. They had us under a bit of pressure early on but I was particularly impressed with our attack.
“Some of the set-piece, some of the ball we got from scrum and lineout — in particular that first half — was really good. That enabled us to get our game flowing.”
The breakdown was where the Wekas’ defence was exposed and Nikora said they needed to be more dominant in tackles.
“I thought we were a bit sloppy there at times. We weren’t quite quick enough to get to our ball-carrier and protect that ball.
“We could be a bit more aggressive when cleaning out at that breakdown.
“In terms of our defence, we need to get a bit lower in the tackle. We have got to be making more dominant tackles — at Heartland level especially.”
Nikora said they were also a little passive in the tackle at times.
“The ball they were getting was pretty quick and they were able to play some pretty decent, quick rugby in that first 20 to 25 (minutes) or so.”
The wings were a strength and both were used well, Nikora said.
“It was good to see Joe (Tikicidre) get quite a few opportunities . . . I thought he really showed his speed and athleticism.
“It was Matt Proffit’s first game at this level. He has just come into the squad and he played really well. He did all his core roles well, nothing flashy, and he has a good boot on him as well.
Looking ahead to this week’s fixture against Hawke’s Bay Saracens, Nikora knows what needs to be addressed.
“They tested us early on and we were able to implement what we wanted to within our attack and defence.
“We know we need tweaks in a few areas and that will be our focus this week going into the game against Hawke’s Bay Saracens.”
Poverty Bay start the Heartland Championship with a home game against Buller on August 12.
POVERTY BAY 61 (Joe Tikicidre 2, Ra Broughton, Ricardo Patricio, Keanu Taumata, Stuart Leach, Taine Aupouri, Ngahiwi Manuel, Kayleb Te Whare, tries; Kelvin Smith 5 con, Matt Proffit 3 con).
EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY 31 (Ro Cava Devo, Liva Sili, Lemeki Cagialau, Rhys Keighley, tries; Ryshawn Vercoe 4 con, pen).
HT: 31-17 Poverty Bay.
