Hawke's Bay lock-loosie Tiaki Fabish is finding it tough juggling his rugby commitments with his studies but he's relishing the challenge.
"Not many people get that opportunity ... it's an awesome honour to be named captain of a national team," Fabish said as he reflected on his New Zealand Māori under-18 boys rugby team's 46-13 victory against their Fijian counterparts in Rotorua on Sunday.
The former Napier Boys' High School first XV lock who is studying psychology, criminology and Māori at Victoria University in Wellington had one day to recover after playing for Hawke's Bay at the national under-19 tournament in Taupo before linking up with the Māori squad. He was one of six Bay players in Sunday's team.
Fabish started at blindside flanker and also played lock. The Napier Boys' High School pair of Jayden Walker and Jake Ward started at loosehead prop and tighthead prop respectively, the Hastings Boys' High School pair of Jordan Thompson-Dunn and Mercedes Hodge started at first five-eighth and fullback respectively and Taradale Rugby and Sports loosie Hunter Nuku provided quality impact when he took the field at No 8.
Hodge and Thompson-Dunn both scored tries in the victory. The Māori side led 12-8 at halftime.