School Sports: Powerful Tongan boys impress local coaches

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

Miniature Jonah Lomus have been storming the rugby fields of Auckland schools over the past two weeks.

Miniature in terms of age, but some of the boys from Tonga's Tuafaahau College are just as big and quick as the All Black winger - a terrifying thought for schoolboys.

The Lomu lookalikes (centre Seti Kiole is 1.93m), were on a two-week tour of the region. The fifth and sixth-formers are from a boys' boarding college from Haapai, a cluster of Tonga's smaller islands.

For most of the 36-strong First XV, it was their first experience of New Zealand and while they found their surroundings "bewildering" and strange, they found familiarity on the rugby field.

First five-eighths Paepa Latu is Lomu's first cousin and was selected for the Tongan under-19 team who travelled to France for the World Youth Cup.

Jonah was not at the games to watch his cousin, but the Lomu family were on the sideline cheering him on.

The talent of the well-oiled side has not gone unnoticed in New Zealand, with at least three of the players scouted to play for clubs around the country and about five coaches from Auckland secondary schools turning up to their final match to take a peek.

It is an exciting opportunity for the boys to be recruited to this country, according to their New Zealand-based tour manager, Manu Fakaofi.

"It's good thing, because they can improve their rugby skills and education," he said.

Tuafaahau College's first assignment was against Mangere College, and the Tongans dished out a 39-0 thumping.

Hillary College suffered from the same overpowering rugby, Tuafaahau running away with their second victory, 26-7.

However, Onehunga High School spoiled Tuafaahau's unbeaten record, denying them victory in the dying minutes to win 25-17.

An 800-strong crowd, of whom, according to Onehunga's coach, Nick Tuialii, 799 were supporting the Tongans, turned out for the game.

When Tuafaahau scored two tries in five minutes almost immediately after kickoff, Onehunga coach Nick Tuialii changed tactics to cut down their back play.

"We played nine-man rugby," he said. "I told the forwards to take the ball and keep it, don't pass it."

The win was not pretty.

"I feel really stink about the way we won. We played really ugly rugby," said Tuialii. "But if we had opened it up, they would have won by 90 points."

He said he had not seen anything near that of the calibre and style of rugby played by the Tongans in the top secondary schools grade "The Tongans were very fit, with a natural inclination to run and they enjoy their rugby. There are no Big Mac eaters [in the team] like some of our Island boys."

* * *

The Moascar Cup remained firmly in Auckland Grammar's grasp after their 50-5 blitzing of Avondale College on Saturday.

It was Grammar's third defence after winning the prized trophy off St Kentigern in the first round of the Auckland premier one grade.

BASKETBALL

After just three premier boys' rounds, unbeaten defending champions Avondale College are emerging as hot favourites to retain their Auckland title.

The Avondale girls' team are following suit, with two wins from as many matches, while Epsom Girls' Grammar are also unbeaten.

Coming up this week.-

* Today, netball: Counties Manukau. Hockey: Auckland, North Harbour boys. Rugby league. Soccer: Counties Manukau girls.

* Tomorrow, hockey: Auckland, North Harbour girls.

* Friday, hockey: North Harbour girls. Squash: Auckland. Basketball.

* Saturday: netball: Auckland, North Harbour, Waitakere. Rugby: Auckland, Counties Manukau, North Harbour. Soccer: Auckland.

* Sunday, cycling: Auckland.

* Monday, golf: Auckland strokeplay championships. Hockey: North Harbour. Rugby: girls. Squash: Auckland.