As he struggled to regain a steady breathing rhythm Kahuranaki premier rugby league winger Titiana Araia-Waaka looked over at his father and captain Boy Waaka jnr.
"That try was for him. Dad deserved a title in his last game."
At St John's College Year 11 student who is in his first season of league, Araia-Waaka, 16, scored a try in the final minute to give Kahuranaki a 20-18 victory over defending champions Bridge Pa in Saturday's grand final at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park. It was Kahuranaki's first taste of premiership glory at this level and it came a year after they won the reserve grade title.
Prop and player-coach Waaka jnr, 37, announced before the final it will be his last appearance as a player as he wanted to make coaching his priority. His team trailed 10-0 at halftime and 14-6 six minutes into the second half.
Former Hawks basketballer Czebalos Smiler, who played at scrumhalf for the winners, was at the top of their list of their heroes with a hattrick. Close behind him was Waaka's brother and hooker Sironen Waaka, who shone with his darts from dummy half and huge defensive workrate.