In a very evenly contested encounter played at the Horahora Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon between the North Zone and South Zone trial teams it was the South Zone that took away the spoils 21-19 after the Northern Zone had led 14-7 at halftime
Despite the overcast drizzling conditions, a solid crowd turned out to watch many of the best up and coming rugby players running around in Northland, all looking to push their claim for a place in the 2019 Northland Taniwha Mitre 10 Cup squad.
It was the South that opened the scoring after some good play from the outside backs set Philip Manako away down the right flank to touch down, 1st Five Nikau Graham adding the extras for an early 7-0 lead.
Just when it seemed the South were getting on top, it was the North Zone forwards that put together some excellent phases which saw Blake Hohaia on the cutback touch down beside the posts, Kerikeri pivot Tom Smith levelling the score with the conversion.
One of the features in the opening stanzas was the scrum battle between the respective front rows, both sets of front rows not wanting to yield and inch.
It was just as physical at breakdown most players carrying hard into contact, with no quarter given or taken.
A few to catch the eye were Paddy Joe Atkins, Sam McNamara and Jarod Byrnes, the OBM loose forward seemed to be all over the place and was a constant nuisance in the tackle area
As we headed into the 2nd quarter of the first half it was the South forwards who were starting to dominate, some great touches on the left flank set Jonty Rae scampering away, but some good scrambling defence by the North stopped the movement
Rae who started on the left wing looks an interesting prospect, fullback apparently is his best position, he possesses good pace and more importantly a very solid left footed clearance.
The South were starting to also dominate field position and just when you thought it was only a matter of time that points would come, it was the North Zone centre Tamati Tua who picked off a miss directed pass on his own 22 and scampered away untouched ,
The extras added and it was the North who against the run of play that lead 14-7 going into halftime despite the South hammering away in the North 22 before the break.
During this period, plenty of credit must go to the North Zone defensively, despite being under the pump there was plenty of desperation and sting in the tackle.
Jurlina and Elia in forwards worked tirelessly although the latter was yellow carded close to half time Blake Hohaia and midfield partner Tua also stood out defensively.
The midfield battle between Tamati Tua and Matt Johnson was very intriguing with both giving each other very little room to move.
Johnson if selected would be a very handy acquisition given his experience at Mitre 10 Cup level with Southland not to mention he was selected the Blues in 2018 unfortunately injury keeping Johnson off the field for much of the season.
Changes a plenty to both teams at the half time break, but that did not stop the intensity that both teams were putting out, even though it was the South who looked they were getting on top closing in on halftime it would be North Zone left wing Jone Macilai who would open the 2nd half scoring touching down on the left flank to extend the North’s lead to 19-7.
Macilai who had been with the Crusaders has been recovering from injury has only got back into club rugby with Awanui still has a tremendous ability to beat a player or make something out of nothing and will no doubt be still on the thoughts of the Northland coaching staff , but he will probably be in a race against time to get back in condition if he is serious about playing at Mitre 10 level again.
With only 9 contracts left to fill in the Taniwha squad, and I would imagine only 2 or 3 outside back positions still to be signed off, it was important for the players on show that some would put their hand up.
Enter Pisi Leilua who started at fullback for the North Zone, tall and very powerfully built, Leilua was always looking for work and looked very dangerous every time he touched the ball.
It was Leilua who was next to score after replacement first five Dan Hawkins shredded the defence finding Leilua who touched down, Hawkins adding the extras and we were back to a 5-point game.
Jordan Olsen whom normally wears the 2 jersey packed down in the number 8 jersey, his presence added energy in spades not to mention go forward along with Waipu loose forward Saimoni Uluinakauvadra.
With both teams throwing caution to the wind opportunities were starting to open, a couple missed chances here and there, you felt it was going to be something special that would break the shackles.
Enter the Hawkins and Leilua show again,Dan Hawkins with an audacious cross kick inside his 22 picked out Leilua who hit the kick pass perfectly thundering up the middle Horahora park on a brilliant 60 metre run ,the last pass finding the man who started the movement Dan Hawkins touching down in the corner.
Hawkins expertly landed the sideline conversion to give the South a 2-point lead.
In the closing minute the North turned down a kickable penalty from 40 metres out in front opting for a line out only to lose possession which pretty much sealed their fate.
A real entertaining and closely contested trial which I am very sure is what the coaching staff would have been looking for.
It was fantastic to see players from all over the North assemble on Saturday, I was really impressed with players from the North Zone like Allen, Davis, Jurlina and Windleborne who don’t play in the Bayleys Premier comp more than holding their own.
Not to mention some really young guys like Nikau Graham and Denver Patua not long out of the Northland 19s.
Congratulations to all the players and coaches that participated in the trial and a special mention to the Horahora Rugby Club for their support.
By Steven Harris
Article added: Tuesday 04 June 2019
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