An EIT Bachelor of Sport and Recreation course student, Ruru went to Ireland in 2013 in an attempt to work his way back from a knee injury but injured it again. Yesterday's form suggests he is well on the way to recovery.
Frontrowers Sean Morrison and Conrad Rieter were inspirational in the hosts' engine room. First five-eighth David Neilson did well to land all six of his attempts at goal in a swirling wind.
Hastings, playing without five key first-stringers, did well to fight back from a 27-8 halftime deficit but the damage was done in the first spell. Co-coach Aaron Bartlett had every right to be proud of the second 40 and in particular the contributions of No8 Mark Ioane, prop Dennis Tapusoa and second five-eighth Ausage Fomai.
-NOBM 56 MAC 22
After being outplayed by Ruru last week, Wilson produced a commanding display in this Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist victory at Park Island.
NOBM manager Mike Smith said Wilson controlled the tempo of the game well. Lock Tom Bywater and openside flanker Kaleb Whakataka, in his premier debut, were others to make Smith's MVP list. Former Samoa rugby league representative Emile Fanene, playing No8 for MAC, and his captain and lock Everard Reid, attracted the attention of Magpies head coach Craig Philpott who was among the spectators.
Substitute halfback William Schuster and centre Mamona Matamata were constructive in the visiting team's backline.
-Havelock North 55 Tamatea 0
Like Ruru, Progressive Meats Havelock North lock Phil McRoberts, won a player-of-the-match award for a second consecutive week after this Anderson Park drubbing.
Busy No8 Harlan Solomon, who scored a hattrick, was another to impress in the winning pack. Tamatea co-coach Tane Cooper pointed out the score didn't reflect the effort of his troops.
"Havelock took 25 minutes to score their first try which indicated how good our defence was. In fact it was our mistakes which led to their tries ... they didn't construct too many of their own."
Blindside flanker Fred Jackson, lock Ivan Bellamy and winger Te Ao Marama Tomoana were Tamatea's best.
-Tech 50 Central 20
Northfuels Central coach Exham Wichman said the sinbinning of his hard-working flanker Tom Symes was the turning point in this Whitmore Park clash.
Central led Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical 10-7 at halftime and when Symes was sinbinned midway through the second half Tech scored 20 points.
Prop Mark Braidwood was again a powerful figure in the winning pack. Second five-eighth Tane McGuire and centre Ted Walters, who was playing his 50th and blazer game, combined well in the Tech backline.
Their manager Cyril Whitburn said the Texans' first half was error-ridden but they got their act together in the second 40.
Lock Ben Bennett and experienced No8 Warwick Slingsby were prominent in the Central pack and halfback Daniel Hardwidge the pick of the visiting backs.
-Taradale 39 Clive 7
Defending champions Carters Frame and Truss Taradale took the outright lead in the comp with this Farndon Park win.
Tighthead prop Ezra Amituanai was a workhorse in the tight and blindside flanker Jaaron Fritz a pest at the breakdown for the visitors. Winger Dan McIntyre was enterprising in the winning backline.
Gutsy openside flanker James Tango again boxed well above his weight for the hosts. Captain and hooker Jorian Tangaere and halfback Moses Riley can be proud of their contributions as they celebrated their 50th appearances for Clive.
Seventeen-year-old fullback Tiaan Falcon, a son of former New Zealand Maori and Hurricanes loosie Gordon Falcon and grandson of former New Zealand Maori loosie Ray Falcon, had a memorable debut for the riversiders.
