Whakarewarewa's Jordan Lay (with ball) crashes into a tackle during the derby on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser
Whakarewarewa's Jordan Lay (with ball) crashes into a tackle during the derby on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser
Whakarewarewa have opened their season with a victory after beating local rivals Rotoiti 36-26 in a brutal derby match.
The Rotoiti-Whaka derby has long been a feature event on the Rotorua rugby calender and drew another big crowd to Puarenga Park on Saturday.
The round one clash in the Baywidepremier rugby competition saw Whaka scoot out to a 17-9 lead at halftime, thanks to tries from Te Rangi Fraser and Maake Taulahi.
Rotoiti came out firing in the second half with two quick tries, to Chanse Perham and captain Zak Hohneck, to retake the lead.
While Whaka had trouble with their discipline - with two players sent to the sin bin - they managed to get their exciting backs into the game as the match wore on.
Winger Kimo Houltham grabbed a double in the second half and the impressive Taulahi scored his second of the match. The Whaka victory means they hold on to the Tai Mitchell Shield and also win back the Banner.
"I'm absolutely rapt with the boys," Whaka captain Doug Edwards said.
Image 1 of 13: Baywide Premier match between Whakarewarewa and Rotoiti at Puarenga Park Photo/Ben Fraser
"We were guessing a little bit in terms of how we would go, after playing just one match in pre-season, but we had simple goals in there like go out there and give it everything."
Edwards, who has played more than 100 games for the club, said there was no tougher match than the derby.
"Some of the teams over the ditch [in Tauranga] play expansive, and that's tough in its own right, but physically this is as tough as you get," Edwards said.
Rotoiti captain Hohneck said there were plenty of positives to take out of the match, with lots of guys debuting in the top flight.
He said it was a typical derby match.
"We all know each other and all want to get a shot on each other. We have played a lot of rugby together, have gone to the same schools, and all grown up in Rotorua. So there is a lot of feeling in this game."
He said their first, big goal this season was to make the top eight in the new premier competition.
