Silver-lining gain in Maori losses

It was a day to forget for the Northland Maori Rugby teams contesting the Northern Regions Tournament at Rotorua International Stadium.
After showing impressive winning form in the lead-up to the tournament, all three teams - Seniors, Colts and Women - lost their finals on Saturday to Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland respectively.
It was a close game for the Northland Senior team, who suffered a narrow 15-12 loss to the Bay of Plenty home side.
After trailing 7-0 at half-time, Northland's Toby Phillips scored a try in the 69th minute that he also converted. Northland were then awarded a penalty try in the 80th minute. Rushing to get the ball back into play, Regan Haynes missed the conversion from under the goal post.
Despite front row forwards Ross Wright, Justin Davies and Atera Davis - who rushed down to Rotorua on Saturday to play after his partner had given birth to a baby that morning - dominating the scrum, and brilliant attacking on the wing from Iwi Hauraki, Bay of Plenty had the edge over Northland, extending their half-time lead to win the match. The Bay of Plenty first five-eighth used the miserable weather to his team's advantage, using the wind in the second half, Northland Development officer Hector Davies said.
In the Colts clash against Waikato, Northland struggled to maintain their first-half lead and were outmuscled by the physical Waikato forward pack, going down 33-15. Northland got off to great start leading 10-5 at the break, after No8 Jordan Wikitera scored in the 25th minute. Tyler Lansdowne converted the try and also kicked a penalty as the whistle went for half-time.
Their game plan fell to pieces in the second half, however, when they were up against the wind and skipper Tyson Owen was sin-binned for 10 minutes after 50 minutes of play. Waikato's driving forwards dominated play in the wet and took control as Northland lost momentum.
Northland never gave up hope, however, with prop Ehaka Dunn driving over the line to score in the 75th minute, but it was too little, too late.
Meanwhile, it was a one-sided affair in the women's match, Auckland crushing Northland 35-0.
There was a silver lining from the tournament, however, several players from each of the Northland sides chosen to represent Northern Region teams in clashes against Central Region on March 19, in Palmerston North.
Those players were -
Senior: Ross Wright, Atera Davis, Justin Davies, Eric Wihongi, Maihi Brown, Saxon Samuels. Colts: Eli George, Ehaka Dunn, Jordan Wikitera, Kadin Te Nana, Tyler Lansdowne, Daniel Wells, Brodie Maron, Ryson Thompson, Aorangi Stokes. Women: Leah Te Iringa, Kararaina Wira, Arihiana Marino, Leilani Perese.