Rugby: Saracens find silver linings in heavy loss

Flanker Kaleb Whakataka was one of the smallest on the field but had a huge work rate.

Ignore the 41-19 score in favour of the opposition ... there were more positives than negatives.

That was the message from Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby team manager Mike Smith after Saturday's loss to the Wanganui Heartland Championship team at Cooks Gardens.

His team, who had two training sessions last week and were missing several key players who played for the Magpies on Thursday, took on a team which had lost 32-12 to Waikato in a Cambridge-hosted Ranfurly Shield challenge the previous week.

Wanganui led 19-0 after 14 minutes and the Saracens, who were playing the first of three warm-up games before the start of their Hurricanes Development comp, did well to battle back and tie the score at 19-all at halftime.

Flankers Kaleb Whakataka and George McPherson, the smallest players on the paddock, had huge work rates for Saracens.

Substitute halfback Karl Hewitt performed admirably and the midfield combination of Cole Eru and Hayden Hann combined well.

Across Whanganui at Spriggens Park, the Hawke's Bay under-19 side lost 19-12 to the Wanganui Development team after trailing 14-12 at halftime. Bay manager Cyril Whitburn said his troops competed well against older and more experienced opponents.

Hooker Logan Ede scored two tries. Flanker Javan Napolotata and No8 Hannon Brighouse also impressed in the Bay pack.

First five-eighth Thomas Agnew, centre Duff Penitito and winger Jobey Pomare were the pick of the Bay backs.

Prop Pouri Rakete-Stones collected a hamstring injury and fullback Ethan Prichard an ankle injury.