There's more than touches of Benji Marshall in both Johnny Lauano and Jordan Faia.
Which of the pair is allowed to display the most touches similar to the Kiwi rugby league standoff and captain will more than likely determine the winners of tomorrow's Hastings District Council Heart of Hawke's Bay premier rugby league grand final - Lauano's defending champions EITSA or Faia's top qualifiers Maraenui Phoenix.
"I like to copy some of Benji's moves," Lauano confessed this week after completing a photo shoot in the buildup to the Bill Mathewson Park encounter.
A second-season league player Lauano, 22, can step off either foot, loves to throw plenty of dummies, is handy with a kick and regather and can produce clever offloads under pressure.
"I play league to keep fit for rugby but if some decent league offers came along I would have to consider them," said the unemployed Lauano.
A Napier Old Boys Marist premier club rugby player for the past two seasons, Lauano moved to Hawke's Bay from Apia with his parents, three brothers and two sisters when he was 12. He started playing rugby the following year and after shining for the Hawke's Bay Saracens and Hawke's Bay under-18s played in a title-winning NOBM Colts side before missing the final cut for a Hawke's Bay under-20s side.
"I like standoff at league and in rugby I don't mind first five-eighth or halfback. I want to make the Magpies eventually and it will probably be at halfback because there aren't many good ones around," said Lauano.
His older brother, former Hawke's Bay B rugby winger Migao Lauano, plays outside him at centre in the EITSA backline.
"He might be older than me but I still call the moves. Migao doesn't mind ... as long as the moves involve him," said Lauano.
Asked if he fancied his team's chances of back-to-back titles, Lauano replied within earshot of Faia:
"Because Phoenix beat us last time they might be a bit cocky."
Faia, 20, who is in his first season of league, said: "It will be a different game ... finals are all about what happens on the day."
There are a lot of similarities between Lauano and Faia. The latter's family also hail from Apia but he was born and raised in the Bay.
Faia also had an older brother outside him in the Phoenix backline in fullback Elijah Faia.
"He gives me a few tips ... but the main one is just to give him the ball."
Faia started playing rugby with the Taradale Colts two years ago and since then has played for the Napier Technical Colts, Reserves and Premiers.
"People tell me I'm better at league but I'm happy to take offers in either code," said Faia, who works as a joiner for Altherm Aluminium Joinery.
"There's more running in league and I enjoy the opportunities I get at standoff," added Faia, who plays second five-eighth at union.
While Maraenui Phoenix have had just one loss on the way to the final they would be fools to take the EITSA outfit lightly. EITSA coach Waka Leonard, 71, has 18 premiership titles on his CV and this record alone gives his team the favourites tag despite their 42-34 loss to Phoenix a fortnight ago.
Leonard will again play talented loose forward Pouri Fatialofa off the bench - a ploy which proved to be the masterstroke in last year's final win. If former Junior Kiwi prop Branden Henderson passes a pre-game fitness test he is also expected to be used off the bench.
"This is likely to be my last final as the old feet are getting a bit sore ... you know me, I'll want to go out in the right way," Leonard told SportToday.
"I coached Phoenix in three finals ... there's nothing I don't know about them."
THE TEAMS - EITSA: Ihaka Paul; Misi Lealaisalnoa, Migao Lauano, Leon Crichton, Davis Ataera; Johnny Lauano, Aidan McMillan; Jarvie Ioake, Hayden Topping, Pani Hauraki; Leafi Tupuola, Jamie Muir; Jonny Culshaw. Interchange (four from the following): Janeiro Teddy, Mata Te Moananui, Mark Ioane, Pouri Fatialofa, Leon McIntee, Branden Henderson.
MARAENUI PHOENIX: Elijah Faia; Hepi Hohepa, Conrad Samuels, Asa Ene, Graeme Wereta; Jordan Faia, Misi Tulia; George Hawkins, Boss Forster, Tobias Allison; Lance Wiparata, Russell Brown; Lene Malasia. Interchange: Shae Tamati, Mala Malasia, Ray Pineaha, Sam Magele.
Which of these standoffs will smile first
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.