Tai Mitchell sides still look stylish

NICE MOVE: Rotorua Gold player Jorge Everson runs with the ball against Tauranga East yesterday. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 040714BF17

The Tai Mitchell rugby tournament has come a long way since 1938.

When the 2014 tournament kicked off in Rotorua yesterday, it was apparent the days of black leather boots and short-back-and-side hair cuts had vanished.

Young rugby players took the field wearing all kinds of coloured boots and sporting hair styles Sonny Bill Williams would be proud of.

But while the fashion has changed, some things never change at this tournament. That includes top-quality, age-group rugby.

The best under-13 rugby players in the Bay of Plenty ran out on to Rotorua International Stadium yesterday for the 2014 edition of the Tai Mitchell tournament.

Rotorua Maroon were first to take the field, winning their opening match 84-5 against Apanui. The victory was a big statement by the Rotorua side, who are among the favourites to win the tournament this year.

Rotorua Maroon flanker Sean Field led the way for his team, scoring two tries while constantly causing havoc for the Apanui defence.

Coach Rawiri Wihapi, who is also principal at Whangamarino School, said he was pleased with the opening game.

"We just wanted to get our first game out of the way and have a good hit-out," he said.

Wihapi said a lot of the Apanui players had been called in on the day, so it was always going to be a bit of a struggle for them not having played together.

The Rotorua Maroon team is made up of under-13 players from schools on the east side of Rotorua plus Rotorua Intermediate, while Rotorua Gold is made up of players on the west side of Old Taupo Road.

Wihapi said the tournament was about developing the boys as up-and-coming rugby players. "It's seeing young men develop, which I have a passion for, and it is all about development."

Games continue today with the semifinals on Tuesday and the final on Wednesday at Rotorua International Stadium.

Rotorua Maroon 84 (Christopher Werner 2, Sean Field 2, Nikki Jacobs 2, Nathan Ryan 2, Caleb Piua 2, Jordan Tuakana-Hudson, Ethan Cox, Taataau Tewhata, Joseph Barton tries; Jordan Tuakana-Hudson 7 con) defeated Apanui 5 (Ranapia Walters try).