Rugby: HBHS dream job was worth waiting for

Head coach Mark Ozich and fullback Danny Toala research their opponents for today's match. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

IT was 2009 and Mark Ozich was visiting Hastings Boys' High School as the Kelston Boys' High School 1st XV rugby coach.

"I remember sitting in the pavilion at the after-match function and Tony McBride was introduced as the Hastings Boys' High School's director of rugby. I said to myself that would be a mean job to have," Ozich recalled.

Seven years later, McBride has moved across town to be deputy principal at St John's College and former New Zealand Secondary Schools coach Ozich, 38, has McBride's old job, as well as the head coach role with the 1st XV. According to his players, as well as the team's stats, he's doing a pretty mean job. The team, which has won all 14 matches this season scoring 496 points while conceding 104, will play Hamilton Boys' High School in today's Super 8 final in Hastings.

Should the hosts record another win, it will be their first taste of the Super 8 title since 2004 when a side boasted two future All Blacks in hooker Hika Elliot and halfback Alby Mathewson, future Maori All Black flanker Karl Lowe and future Samoa loosie Tivaini Fomai.

"I've been pleasantly surprised by our success," Ozich said after reluctantly accepting the praise heaped on him by his assistant coach, former All Black Sevens rep Tafai Ioasa, and second year player Danny Toala.

"He has made a massive difference. He knows what he is doing and he gives us the right tools so we can all execute our roles," fullback Toala said.

"He has bonded us all together. Last year, a few of the year 13 players thought they were top dogs ... there is none of that this year."

A Hurricanes under-18 rep, Toala has represented Hawke's Bay from Ross Shield level to under-18 level. He has set making the New Zealand Secondary Schools team this season as his ultimate goal and, if he doesn't succeed, he might return to school next year.

Ozich, who has also coached the Southland Boys' High School 1st XV, pointed out Toala is one of several year 13 players young enough to return to school next year if they wish.

"Career-wise I want to go to Police College but I'm happy to wait until 2018 for that if I have to come back to school next year," Toala said.

One of the jokers in the team, Toala said Ozich had stressed the need for all the players to keep on top of their academic commitments. The players are only committed to the school team and don't go off playing for club teams or other codes as has happened in the past.

"We all ask a lot of each other and put in a lot of training so this team has to be our priority," Ozich explained.

The father of three is also the head coach of the Hawke's Bay Saracens team which begins its campaign today, but Ozich said his assistant coaches know he won't be available on weekends until the 1st XV team's season has ended.

"I'm here for the long haul. Hawke's Bay is ideal for families and my wife Gabrielle, who is a teacher by trade but studying to be a nurse at EIT, loves it," said Ozich, who also teaches physical education and runs the school's rugby academy with Ioasa.

A former Waitemata club player in Auckland who made 105 premier appearances, Ozich believed several of his players could gain New Zealand Secondary Schools selection this season.

"Basically it comes down to selectors' opinions at this level. We've got players with so much talent who are good enough to make rugby their careers if they want to.

"I remember standing out on the training field with Tafai the other day and looking up at Te Mata Peak. I said to Tafai, we are so lucky ... so blessed, to be here working with the talented players we have."

However Ozich knows the importance of not looking beyond today's assignment against a team which has recorded five wins and one loss in Super 8 play compared with his team's six wins.

He has done his homework on the visitors and believed they will boast a physical forward pack as well as mobile midfielders.

"We will attempt to move the ball at pace as we have done all season. We are the underdogs because Hamilton understand the pressure associated with these occasions ... our defence has to be spot on and we have to be accurate in the contact area."

Ozich agreed the winning team will be the one which makes the fewest errors.

Hamilton Boys head coach Nigel Hotham was the assistant coach to Hastings Boys' High School principal Rob Sturch when he coached the Kelston Boys' High School 1st XV while deputy principal at the Auckland school.

"Rob was the man back then ... it's funny how we've ended up together again and Nigel will be in charge of the opposition."

MATCH DETAILS

Who: Hastings Boys' High School v Hamilton Boys' High School.

Where: Hastings Boys' High School.

When: Midday, today.

Referee: Tipene Cottrell (HB).

Head to head (Super 8 fixtures): Hastings 6 wins, Hamilton 11 wins, 1 draw.

Biggest winning margins: Hastings 36-20 (2001), Hamilton 91-5 (2011).

Narrowest winning margins: Hastings 15-14 (2012), Hamilton 27-22 (1998).

Teams

Hastings BHS: Danny Toala, Dennon Robinson, Hunta Marsh, Liam Udy-Johns, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Xavier Hill, Jeriah Mua, Tane Hohipa, Liam Bauckham, Aleki Vuki, Jacob Devery, Kianu Kereru-Symes (c).

Substitutes: Miracle Lolofie, Josiah Tavita, Jesse Sipaia, Donovan Mataira, Gideon Kautai, Reno Jardine, Jacob Stephenson.

Head coach: Mark Ozich.

Assistant coach: Tafai Ioasa.

Manager: Stephen Small.

Hamilton BHS: Joshua Moorby, Kieran Lee, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi (c), Caleb Muntz, Raiki Wilson, Xaviar Roe, Patrick McCurran, Joe Vaka, Connor Loomans, Hadleigh Morgan, Tom Martin, Sosaia Fale, Sam Alsemgeest, Mathew Kemp.

Substitutes: Tane Te Aho, Austin Pepperell, Elijah Cracknell, Israel Immanueli, Sam Babb, Charlie Lawrence, Shannon Wilson.

Head coach: Nigel Hotham.

Assistant coach: Greg Kirkham.

Manager: Mrs B Clark.