Rugby: NBHS loosie reckons friendships are as important as on-field action

Napier Boys' High School No 8 Luke Russell on the carry during last weekend's win against Hastings Boys' High School. Photo/File

Napier Boys' High School 1st XV rugby loosie Luke Russell knows about the importance of Super 8 fixtures ... on and off the field.

Outcomes of games are talked about for years to come. Often a missed kick at goal can be the difference between making or missing out on a finals berth and the opportunity to advance to the National Top Four competition.

Russell, who will play his 42nd game for his team when they host Tauranga Boys College today, has fond memories of friendships made during his three years in the team and one in particular. That with Louis Grindrod who will start at halfback for Tauranga.

"Two years ago Louis was my billet and he collected a neck injury while playing for the Tauranga 2nd XV against us. We've been good mates ever since and this is his first season back playing again.

"I'm hoping I get Louis as a billet again but that depends on a random draw," Russell said before the draw was done yesterday.

Grindrod dislocated a vertebra in his neck after he was tackled five minutes into the match. He went straight into the operating theatre and later spent time in Middlemore Hospital's spinal unit.

Although Napier are unbeaten and Tauranga have had four losses, 39-0 against joint defending champions Hamilton Boys' High School, 38-34 against New Plymouth Boys' High School, 22-12 against Palmerston North Boys High School and 34-14 against Rotorua Boys' High School, Russell said the visitors can't be taken lightly.

"Every game at Super 8 level is tough. We have to focus on our game, keep our standards and be ruthless. It was pretty awesome to get a win against Hastings last weekend, we have to keep that same level of intensity."

A former Hawke's Bay under-16 development team, Hastings East Ross Shield player and product of the Havelock North junior system, Russell pointed out improving communication will be a major work on for the hosts against Tauranga.

"We have to keep at it for the next 70 minutes and not drop away at all."

Comfortable in both the No 8 and openside positions, Russell, who represents the Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Lifesaving Club in the summer, is hoping to make the Hurricanes under-18 team this season. He is considering heading to Otago University to study physical education next year.

With father Dave, the backs coach for his 1st XV and a teacher at NBHS and mother Toni Dunstan a teacher at Woodford House, he won't be short of quality advice.

NBHS head coach and former Magpies mentor Brendon Ratcliffe has made one change to his team used last weekend. Lock Oskar Lynch, a Westshore Surf Lifesving Club member and son of former Magpie Bevan Lynch, replaces Tiaki Fabish in the starting XV. Fabish replaces Lynch on the pine.

Hastings Boys' High School are away to Gisborne Boys' High School today. Although Gisborne are winless after losing 47-20 to Napier, 23-21 to Palmerston North Boys' High School and 41-5 to Rotorua, the visitors' tight five will need to improve on last weekend's effort if the joint defending champions are going to return to the winning path.

The Napier Boys' High School team for today's 12 noon match:
Pereiha Hubbard, Jack Sheridan, Leo Thompson, Keegan Christian-Goss, Jayden Stok, Henry Williams, Angus Kilmister, Luke Russell, Sam Henderson, Josh Gimblett, Oskar Lynch, Frank Lochore, Patrick Teddy, Tyrone Thompson (captain), Jayden Walker. Substitutes: Haydn Davis, Manaaki Aranui, Tiaki Fabish, Rob Slabberkorn, Treyah Kingi-Taukamau, Qunta Tawhai, Max Anderson.