Perofeta superb in win

WINNERS:Heartland XV No 8 Bryn Hudson on the charge.

IS STEPHEN Perofeta the next big thing on the New Zealand rugby scene?

That was the question being asked after the young Wanganui first-five guided the New Zealand Heartland XV to an exciting 47-42 win over New Zealand Marist in their annual MacRae Cup match played before a disappointingly small crowd at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.

Perofeta, a product of Wanganui Collegiate, showed his mastery in all departments of the game. He ran onto the ball with purpose, showed a tricky pair of feet and rapid acceleration in scoring an outstanding solo try, banged over goals, including a penalty from just inside his own half, with unerring accuracy and gained huge metreage with his line kicks.

It was the second time Perofeta had made a huge impact at Memorial Park this season, the first being when he spearheaded Wanganui to a victory over Wairarapa-Bush in a Heartland championship match.That day he was stunning. this time he was even more so.

Perofeta's performance apart, however, this was anything but the perfect rehearsal for the Heartland XV as they prepare for their two "test" matches against the Australian Barbarians at Levin tomorrow and Wanganui on Friday.

For them it was very much a game of two halves. They looked structured and professional in the manner in which they went about their work in the first half, at the end of which they led by a commanding 31-14 but became sloppy and error-ridden in the second.And a brave Marist side was quick to take advantage of the that situation, scoring the last four tries of the game and getting to within just five points on the scoreboard.

One of the better Heartland forwards was Wairarapa-Bush flanker James Goodger who gave it his all in his 60 minutes on the paddock. He was one of his team's safest options at lineout time, ran strongly in broken play and tackled solidly around the fringes of the rucks and mauls. The other two Wairarapa-Bush players in the Heartland squad, first-five Tim Priest and prop Kurt Simmonds, came off the bench very later in proceedings and had little opportunity to strut their stuff as a consequence.

Lock Eric Duff, No8 Bryn Hudson and hooker Cole Baldwin worked away tigerishly in the Heartland pack while Lemi Masoe and TK Moeke were a couple of hard-running midfield backs.

Marist deservedly won plaudits for their resolve and character. They seemed down and out at halftime but were clearly the better team in the second half. Masterton Marist hooker Henry Wilson was typically lively but the pick of the pack were prop Vicki Tofa, lock Nemani Waka and No.8 Shannon Frizell while first-five Liam Berry, wing Simon Dibben and fullback Chris Crichton were standouts in the backs.

Lemi Masoe (3), James Hemara and Stephen Perofeta scored the Heartland tries with Perofeta adding three penalties, one dropped goal and five conversions.