Rugby Roundup

By Stewart Tagg | Posted: Wednesday August 29, 2018

Our 1st XV put on a mighty performance last weekend to score three tries in eight minutes and set up a 26-7 win against the old rival Southland Boys’ in the Southern Region Top Four final at Littlebourne.

It was slick work out wide which got the scoreboard moving, but the team's defensive effort certainly laid the ground work for the impressive victory.

Southland Boys’ was battering away at the line looking for half a gap to slip through throughout the game and our boys must have made close to 30 tackles in about three minutes as it scrambled to keep its defensive line intact near the end of the match.

Impressive second five-eighth Reuben Wairau made a couple of strong carries, the second of which helped clear the way for first five-eighth Tevita Asi to score, although he still had to brush aside a defender. Moments later Asi was in the action again. This time he provided a lovely chip ahead. Speedy winger Michael Manson timed his chase perfectly, got a kind bounce and ran in from 20m out. Southland Boys’ had started to fall off tackles and centre Jake Te Hiwi strolled through a cavernous divide to set up another try for Manson.

Jake’s older brother Isaak drilled the conversion to stretch the lead to 26-0 with Southland scoring a consolation try near full-time. Otago Boys’ edge was out wide. Right winger Max Brown, who scored the game’s opening try, and fullback Isaak Te Hiwi were constant threats. Blindside flanker Joseph Aldrich-Williams made some punishing tackles and lock Levi Turoa was a steady influence on the lineout.

All-up this was a collective effort, winning a famous victory thanks to tenacious defense and constant communication alongside outstanding vision and flair. 

Bring on the Top Four!