Rugby: Napier Old Boys Marist retain Bali 10s title

Zac Donaldson with the trophies after being named player of the tournament. Photo / Supplied

Halfback Zac Donaldson captured the player of the tournament award when his Napier Old Boys Marist team retained their Bali 10s title at the weekend.

"Something must have clicked," the humble Donaldson said as he reflected on his success.

He agreed a week of training with the Hawke's Bay Sevens squad helped his fitness levels before travelling to Bali. Donaldson, 21, is also still reasonably fresh after missing most of the club season with a broken hand.

"It's a different sort of footy over here. It's pretty insane playing in temperatures above 30 degrees. We starved our opposition of the ball and that worked well because we didn't want to be tackling too much in this heat," Donaldson explained.

"Hopefully I'll make the Hawke's Bay Sevens team when we return home. If I can continue this form with them that is going to help me achieve my long-term goal of getting back into the Magpies next year," added Donaldson, who had one Mitre 10 Cup game for the Magpies last season.

NOBM coach Craig Gowler said Donaldson was outstanding throughout the tournament, particularly in the semifinal when they beat Rowzy Pegasi 17-0.

"We were struggling and then three moments of brilliance from Zac led to three tries."

Captain Sean Skeet was impressive with his aerial play. Jack Nelson-Murray and Ricky Hayes were other forwards to impress.

"I was rapt we didn't concede any points for the second consecutive year here," Gowler added.

Saturday's games were played in temperatures around the 32 degrees and 90 per cent humidity. NOBM beat Indonesian side Hanoman 57-0, Papau of Papua New Guinea 40-0 and a Japanese Selection 48-0.

Yesterday Sydney team Waverley defaulted to NOBM because of a high injury tally which gave the defending champs a breather before their semifinal.

In their final NOBM beat Chillies, a selection of Kiwi and Aussie players, 47-0.