Team:
Jodeci Savage-Waru, Connor Brennan, Aston Finau, Sam Pou, Tevita Fa’ukafa, R Kelly Paekau-Rush, Jock Yarndley, Thompson-Reed Karena, Riku Morisaki, Rhys Dickinson, Tyler Riki-Pakewa, Tao Savou, Hunter Johnson, Nikora Maibibi, Reegan Crampton, Josh Froneman, Joseph Tauheluhelu, Brodie Toia, Brayden Porteous, Logan Catherall, Hadleigh Ilton, Brian Junior Lima.
A good crowd gathered at St Pauls last Saturday to watch our first home game of the season, a test match against NZ Area Schools.
After the usual tussle from the opening kick-off, a good back-line move saw winger Tyler Riki-Pakewa put into space. Tyler showed a great step to get inside defence and score the opening try of the day which he converted. The battle continued up front and after some strong runs, lock Tevita Fa’ukafa broke through a number of tackles to be rewarded with his first try of the afternoon. Another swift back-line move saw a break through the middle which was finished off by live-wire half back Riku Morisaki, converted by Tyler Riki-Pakewa. Some more strong ball carries saw Tevita Fa’ukafa crash over for his second try of the half which was again converted by Tyler Riki-Pakewa.
NZ area Schools came back strong after the break having made a couple of key substitutions. This resulted in the pace of the game being picked up and pressure being applied especially at the break down.
Once again the depth of our squad showed as substitutions for the Harlequins made the most of their opportunities. After sustained pressure replacement prop Joseph Tauheluhelu crashed over the line to score the first points of the second half. It was then time for the replacement backs to shine with replacement fullback, Hadleigh Ilton grubbing a ball through close to the line to collect and score. Replacement flanker Brayden Porteous injected a much needed boost with some strong running putting winger BJ Lima into space to run in probably the best try of the day. Brayden’s high work rate and explosive runs were rewarded with a try of his own towards the end of the game. The conversion was taken by Tevita who proved forwards shouldn’t pretend to be goal kickers.
