Muriwhenua makes it 1-all

CHALLENGE MET HEAD ON: The Ngapuhi team perform a haka before Iwi Origin #2 kicked off at Waipapakauri on Saturday. The hosting Muriwhenua team won 58-28 to square the series.

Muriwhenua 58 Ngapuhi 28: The Muriwhenua reps running out victorious on home turf at Waipapakauri on Saturday to make it all square in the inaugural Iwi Origin series and set up the much anticipated deciding showdown in the third and final leg later this year.

Muriwhenua spokesman Tarei Patuwairua said the homeside players made a powerful statement with the performance.

"Our young boys dominated the latter spell of the second half. Just outplayed them. Got more size, bit more speed than what they had," he said noting it was a great day overall with an estimated 400 punters coming through the gate.

"Good the weather held out, Everyone really got into the day, good whanau day... We have been really rapt with the way the TRL has been going. All the clubs coming back, it's really blooming."

Try scorers were Stacey Waenga, Redden Ogle 2, Hoera James 2, Pomare Murray, Pania Matiu, Te Puhi Rudolph (also converting 9 of the 11 tries scored), Pene Taui, and Sandy Hepi.

Ngapuhi coach Jimmy Croft noted both teams were different from the two sides which contested Iwi Origin #1 in Kaikohe last month (which Ngapuhi won 26-24).

"I think they [Muriwhenua] fielded a good side. We were missing a few key players ourselves. They had a good crowd there to back them, we just got undone in the last 15 minutes. Big shout out to all the boys that went up there, gave it their all. Good clean hard football, a beautiful day for rugby league," said Croft, in what is becoming a familiar refrain for advocates of the newly established competition.

"Just the crowd there, the atmosphere, from the energy, the homeside took it all in," he said, noting this had made things "red hot" ahead for the looming series decider on July 9. Ngaphui try scorers/ standouts included Southern Smith, John Powell, Stevie Ray Haenga Albert, Tamati Leech and Kenny Puckey along with Demrys Croft Haenga in defence and Lucky Pickering who proved a "good captain and good leader".

The Iwi Origin #2 match was curtain-raised by a local women's game which ended up being played as an inconsequential friendly played between Muriwhenua players who roped in a few mates from the sideline after the Ngapuhi team failed to materialise.

The game was designed to capitalise on the momentum local league has gained through the formation of the TRL this season. Most of the players in action were expected to form the basis of the Ngati Kahu/ Muriwhenua club sides which will provide the curtain raising entertainment before the Sharks/ Falcons matches. As one commentator noted, "There's definitely a hum around up here. Everyone wants to get a competition started. It [this game] was just about people getting to see women play league."

While those mooting for a women's competition believe there are plenty of keen players waiting in the wings, enough to form another two or three teams and create an actual league, the no-show from Ngapuhi on Saturday would seem to negate that.

- The TRL domestic club competition is set to resume this Saturday, see draws nearby for list of fixtures (although administrators were yet to confirm whether any of the four games scheduled would be played in the popular double-header format).

RLN PremiershipNorthern Wairoa 16 Moerewa Tigers 46: Moerewa staying in contention for the minor premiership with this comfortable win at Dargaville after round 9 of the RLN Scott Electrical Premiership was completed on Saturday. The result allowed the Tigers to remain equal on points with Takahiwai Warriors but second overall due to an inferior for/against points aggregate.

Other results from Saturday were, Portland Panthers 38 Hokianga Pioneers 34, and, Hora Hora Broncos 24 Takahiwai Warriors 42 at Horahora. Both of the two Far North clubs in the competition were approached for reports on their perspective of proceedings but had yet to respond as the Age went to press yesterday.

- STANDINGS: Takahiwai (played 8, for/against 358/120) 16, Moerewa (6, 356/148) 16, Otangarei (7, 274/146) 14, Hokianga (8, 214/272) 10, Portland (7, 218/254) 8, Northern Wairoa (8, 208/330) 6, Hora Hora (138/384) 2.

Note, the RLN club competition takes a break over Queen's Birthday Weekend but a number of players will be involved in the inaugural Town vs Country match at Otaika Park at 2pm on Saturday.