Rugby: Horahora lacked passion - coach

Horahora's Tiaki Smith finds the going tough against Kamo centre Adam Shepherd during the Bayleys Southern Districts Premier competition in Kamo on Saturday. Photo / Tania Whyte

Doug Te Puni's reaction when approached for a comment post-match summed up his team's performance - or lack of it - during their 35-17 loss to Kamo in the Bayleys Southern Districts Premier competition on Saturday.

"Very disappointing effort. We let ourselves down by not showing passion and gave them too much respect," said the Horahora coach glumly.

Leading 24-3 at half time after three converted tries, hosts Kamo never showed any signs of slowing the tempo after the restart except for a brief period midway in the second half which allowed Horahora to score two quick tries.

That was when Kamo were one player down after referee Brock Fannin sin-binned Dave Fotu for a ruck infringement.

Kamo's tight five and loose forwards impressed with their ball-carrying grunt and pick and go around the fringes.

For Horahora, there was quick ball and there was momentum, but no flow due to a lack of precision and accuracy.

It took Kamo just four minutes to open the scores after a brilliant offload from first five-eighth Matai Toafa to centre Adam Shepherd.

Toafa could have crossed over for his team's second try seven minutes later but was stopped metres from the Horahora tryline.

Shortly after, Shepherd spilled the ball near the Horahora line but got some reward via a converted penalty for offside play by the visitors.

Kamo opted for territory and, coupled with a stubborn defence, were able to force Horahora into mistakes which yielded

good possession for most of the game.

Loosehead prop Mo Pukaki was instrumental upfront with barging runs and a menace at the breakdown, forcing turnovers and successful counter rucks.

Centre Caleb McDonald pinged a hamstring in the 17th minute and was substituted by Jordan Rogers.

Horahora were again penalised for offside in the 21st minute and Kamo fullback Tom Herman nailed the penalty.

Shepherd scored the second try after receiving an inside ball from blindside flanker Blake Haora.

Halfback and former Taniwha Mac Sykes scored the third try under the posts in the 34th minute after wriggling through some sloppy defence.

Kamo coach Quentin Cherrington was happy with the outcome and said his side were tracking well.

"We managed to play a percentage game after the last couple of games where we were flat. I thought our tight five and loosies played well today."

He said the message at half time was to consolidate the lead and to play smart in the second spell.