South forwards in the zone

The South Zone walked away with a convincing 29-7 win at the annual Johnny Isaacs Tournament, after their powerful forward pack dominated the North Zone at Dargaville Old Boys Rugby Club.
While the North Zone team had a young and exciting backline, including Whiria Meltzer, who was selected for the New Zealand Under-20 Development Camp late last year, the Wellsford trio of Ross Wright, Atere Davis and Paddy Joe Atkins up front gave the South Zone the edge on the paddock during Saturday's main game of the tournament.
No 8 Rukuwai Waata (Horahora), Old Boys' Ethan Crutcher and Regan Edwards from Mid Western also had solid stints with the forward pack.
During the first 40 minutes, North's Eric Wihongi scored his side's sole try, which was converted by Brodie Maron, but South had a comfortable 17-7 lead at the halfway mark.
First five-eighth Toby Phillips did a good job dictating play, while halfback Logan Wendt was ever-reliable and put in an impressive performance.
South continued to gain momentum in the second half, and went on to cruise to victory, with two tries and a conversion from Phillips, a converted try by winger Saxon Samuels, and a try from loose forward Poutu Rakich - along with a penalty try awarded by local policeman and stand-in referee Gavin Benney.
Benney came to the rescue when Brendan Hamer suffered a calf strain after only 20 minutes refereeing the match and with his first blow of the whistle, rewarded the South zone a penalty try - stamping his authority on the match.
In other matches, the Under-14 North Zone rolled the South Zone 41-15, while the Under-16 North Zone lost to South 23-12. The Under-18 South Zone was too strong for their Northern counterparts, defeating them 32-12.
Matches were conducted in good spirit and players did the organisers and family of the legendary Northland rugby man Johnny Isaacs proud, co-ordinator Hector Davies said.
"There were plenty of high-quality players - and most of the top Maori rugby players in Northland were there. There was a great crowd of around 1000 people. It was great rugby to watch with the highest standard of players we have seen at this tournament in at least 10 years," Davies said.
"While it was pleasing for us - it was most pleasing for the family of the late Johnny Isaacs, as the tournament was played at his home ground," he added.
After the event, the Northland rep teams to play in the Northern Region Maori Competition were announced.
The women, colts and seniors all play North Harbour (not Auckland as previously published in The Northern Advocate) at Old Boys Rugby Club on Saturday, kicking off at 12pm, 1pm and 2.30pm respectively.
Teams go up against Auckland at Hikurangi Rugby Club on February 26 before heading to Rotorua for the finals of the competition.
Northland Senior training starts on Wednesday at Old Boys, from 6.30pm, while the Colts train tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6.30pm, at Moerewa Rugby Club.
Northland Maori: Forwards: Paddy Joe Atkins, Ross Wright, Atere Davis, Jack Tango, Justin Davies, Gary Whippy, Cole Campbell, Ethan Crutcher, Mark McCluggage, Regan Edwards, Rukuwai Waata, Regan Haynes, Eric Wihongi. Backs: Logan Wendt, Zayin Nahi, Toby Phillips, Mike Peenie, Karaitiana Vette-Welsh, Whiria Meltzler, Leon Baigent, Steve Tane, Maihi Brown, Iwi Hauraki, Jovan Harris, Saxon Samuels.
Northland Maori Colts: Forwards: Marac Beckham, Eli George, Tyson Owens, Solomon Jones, Beau Tipene, Ihaka Dunn, Wiremu TeIringa, Makaire Murray, Adaneil Thompson, Tini Herbert, Dean Kingi, Aorangi Stokes, Matt white, Paris Openshaw, Jordyn Wiketera. Backs: Kadin Te Nana, Nick Julina, Tyler Lansdowne, Jordan Karena, Daniel Wells, Steve Pene, Brody Maron, Araka Terry, TJ Williams, Ryson Thompson.