Tauranga Boys' and Rotorua Boys' first XVs turned on a classic nailbiter in the opening Super Eight match of the year at Nicholson Field in Tauranga, the 20-20 draw fortunate for Tauranga as Rotorua captain Isaac Te Aute missed a straightforward conversion attempt in the final play of the match on Saturday.
Tauranga No 8 Caleb Aperahama opened the scoring after good build-up work from outstanding front rower Kemble Frost but the conversion was missed which was crucial in the final outcome.
Te Aute reduced the gap with a penalty and Rotorua looked certain to score after a barnstorming run from No 8 Viliame Tosi led to a sprint for the line for left winger Corban Selwyn. But he was cut down by a great covering tackle from Tauranga's captain and fullback Connor Fifita.
Rotorua's lively halfback Te Ra Whata then scampered away for a great individual try in the corner, which Te Aute converted well from touch for a 10-5 halftime lead.
Tauranga came out firing in the second half, with prop Leighton Hika crashing over for a try before a clever kick into space by Te Aute was turned into a try for winger Latu Vaeno after a fortuitous bounce.
