U-15 mixed undefeated

THE CHAMPS: The Junior Nationals winning Tai Tokerau under-15 mixed touch team celebrate being crowned champions.PHOTOS/JEREMY WARD@WWW.SHOT360.CO.NZ

Months of hard slog lead to great team work

It is a short turn around for some of the under-15 mixed Te Tai Tokerau touch team members, with their focus shifting to the under-19s after winning their grade. Not only did the under-15 side win at the Junior Nationals in Tauranga, they went through undefeated.

Tai Tokerau coach Joe Rau applauded his team for living up to the expectation they hadset, going one step further to even "spank" some of their opposition.

"It's just awesome. A lot of hard work and dedication went in from everyone, including family, but it does pay off. I'm definitely rapt as a coach," Rau commented on their win late last month.

"We did have big expectations and the kids did live up to it. A lot of teams didn't know who we were and I think they paid the price because we gave them a few spankings."

Rau added it was satisfying to see around four months' worth of hard work pay off for the kids.

"The kids were well in their comfort zones in the matches, until the final where we played someone who had played in the final and they'd watched us on video a bit."

In terms of standout players, Rau was quick to take focus away from individuals as the entire team performed to a high standard. Rau said captain Paul Turner deserved mention for his leadership.

"Our captain scored a lot of tries, but more so assisted his team in scoring a few. He's got a big future of the game. Other than that it was a team performance."

Next up for Tai Tokerau touch teams was playing in next weekend's national under-19 tournament in Auckland, of which several of the mixed under-15 side would be part of.

Tai Tokerau under-15 mixed team: Paul Turner (c), Rivez Reihana, Owen Shanks, Jayden Leaupepe, Samuel Winikerei, Diani Timms, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Dylan Brown, Dorian Hati, Havana Connelly, Killarney Aekins, Stephanie Turner, Summer Turner, Tara-Leigh Turner.

Tai Tokerau under-19s mixed team: Lee Turner (c), Paula Turner, Diani Timms, Ioane Job, Tipara Job, Caleb Aekins, Sheldon McKinley, Brad Crosbie, Michaela Job, Lil Reihana, Kayson Keerako, Killarney Aekins, Havana Connelly, Macayla Brown.