Centre Andrew Hayward was showered in praise after Hastings Boys' High School secured a semifinal berth at the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan yesterday.
"Andrew was outstanding on defence and shut down their space and time well," HBHS manager Jason Bird said after his troops beat Japan side Toin 31-19 in their quarter-final at the 16-team event in Fukuoka which caters for the best First XVs in the world.
Unbeaten HBHS produced an outstanding defensive display in the first half and led 24-0 at halftime in the match, which was played in humid and wet conditions.
Once again head coach Tafai Ioasa and his assistant Karl Lowe, who have both played for the Sanix Blues in Fukuoka, were able to give their subs plenty of game time in the second half.
"Maintaining the intensity for the full 60 minutes [all games are 60 minutes, not 80] is still a work on for us," Bird said.