Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby
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The good guys win!
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All in all, I don't think there was much between both teams, but mainly because of handling errors from Napier Boys'. Hastings Boys' defence was good, but a lot of Napier's turnovers came from knock-ons and dropped balls, although some of those as a result of forementioned good tackles from Hastings'. Napier's weak spot is their right wing; I've noticed that in a few games now; tackling being a huge problem. If Hastings works on their scrum, it could become a real weapon. The strength is there; just technique letting them down a bit.
Both teams play with a lot of new, inexperienced players, but Napier still have a few good leaders left in their team, most notably Ta$man Soanai-Oeti, Luke Thomas, Angus Prouting and CJ Mienie. There seems to be more cohesion in their team. Hastings Boys' have good players, have good skills, but no one really stands out, yet. That will come with time, I think. I liked what I saw from their try-scoring blindside flanker Taufaeteau Kaufononga.
It's my impression that both teams will struggle to finish in the top 2, this season. The real test for Napier will come on 26 July when they'll try to defend the Polson Banner in Palmerston North. Those Manawatū referees better be on their best behaviour, unlike previous years.
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@Stargazer said in Hawkes Bay Schoolboy Rugby:
There's a good crowd at Napier Boys. @Higgins, are you there?
Yes, I was sitting up on one of the few rows of seating in the stand that was not wet (there was a good amount of rain overnight, sadly a fairly regular occurrence in the last few months). I am pleased you found something to get excited about as frankly I thought the game never got above first gear level, at least from the Napier guys, and although the score was close throughout, the game did very little to excite me (as it probably did likewise for @Nepia but for different reasons obviously!), such was the pace and overall skill levels displayed. Naturally I am pleased about the result but concur with you that neither team will threaten to take the Super 8 Title away from Hamilton (whoever might win it). Overall Napier were probably deserving of the win after withstanding numerous Hastings forays for a good part of the game before what I thought was superior fitness gave them the upper hand in the last ten or fifteen minutes. Contrary to you I thought the crowd size was disappointing (I was really looking forward to the game after not having been present at the Napier v Hastings clash for maybe 30 years) but the weather was not that great and maybe my expectations after waiting for so many years was too high?
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@Stargazer fake news! Are WC any good this year? I remember back in the day they use to have a few imports. We played the annual game against them and I think HBHS was meant to play them in a week or two for National Knockout. Hastings came to watch out game and left not to worried about WC. From memory HBHS killed them.
Looks like I might have to get behind the 2nd 15 this year!
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@Magpie_in_aus Whanganui CS have been steadily improving the last few years. And from the beginning of this season, their 1st XV head coach is Tafai Ioasa, yes, the same Tafai Ioasa who coached Hastings Boys to two Top 4 titles (in 2017 as Ozich's assistant; in 2019 as head coach). His son Tali, who's a very talented midfielder, now also playes for WCS.
Fortunately, we've got talent in return in Harry Godfrey and Hunter Morrison, who have both moved to the Bay from Whanganui (Morrison via Manawatū).
