U85kgs final, feature Heartland clash and U18s rep teams in action tomorrow

The Pōneke U85kgs head to Auckland tomorrow to contest the National Knockout Cup final, while many club members and supporters will be gathered inside the clubrooms watching the team on the big screen. Photo: Tane Nathan.

• By Scott MacLean 

It’s rare that there is an All Blacks test match and the curtain-raiser is top billing, but that is the case tomorrow as the National Knockout Cup 85kgs final between Pōneke and High School Old Boys takes centre stage at Eden Park.

There is also a final representative 15s game in Wellington between the Wellington Samoa U18s and the Wellington Māori U18s at Rugby League Park.

Just up the line, the two lower North Island Heartland teams will meeting, with Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wairarapa-Bush going head to head at Levin Domain.

Overall it’s a very light week, with just a handful of matches on our radar, as we wind down to the end of the 15s season.

Under 85kg National Club Cup

For some, the biggest game of the day isn’t the opening exchange in the Bledisloe Cup, it’s the early game at Eden Park where Pōneke seek national glory. It will not be and easy assignment however, as the Kilbirnie side face a team that is very familiar with this stage in the competition in the High School Old Boys Light Bears from Christchurch; winners in 2023 and runners-up last year. It will also be a fascinating contrast in styles; Poneke have been a free-scoring side including putting 50 on the Auckland Uni Slugs last Saturday while HSOB have been remarkably stingy on defence, conceding just three tries (and a conversion) across their four games so far. And as we saw in their match against Avalon, they’re an exceptionally well-drilled side.

Kickoff is at 2.15pm.

Scroll down to the bottom of this article for a recap of the history of finals in this tournament.

Representative

The Wellington Lions head north with their season on a knife-edge. A win over Taranaki at the Bulls’ home will keep them in the mix for the opportunity to defend their crown, but a loss will leave them awaiting the outcome of Northland’s match against Canterbury to see if they’re even alive heading into their final round match against Bay of Plenty.

After being released to play last week, Peter Lakai and Ruben Love have returned to the All Blacks setup, but Kyle Preston remains with the province. Following last week’s standout display at lock, Dom Ropeti reverts to No8 in Lakai’s place with Callum Harkin moving back to fullback in Love’s. Matolu Petaia and Kapu Broughton-Winterburn earn their first starts and go into the holes created at lock and on the left wing. James O’Reilly’s latest knock sees him ruled out so Penieli Poasa starts at hooker, but pleasingly Asafo Aumua takes a place on the bench. The other changes are also on the pine with Senio Sanele and Tom Maiava back in, Nui Muriwai swaps in for Esi Komaisavai, and Johnny Falloon is named for the first time after his late call-up last week.

The only game locally is the annual match between the Wellington Samoan and Wellington Māori U18 sides at Rugby League Park at 12,00pm. It’s a standalone fixture this year, with the two teams in different divisions of the regional U18 competition.

Also playing are the Centurions U18s, who take on the NZ Harlequins at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

Heartland

For the fans of the truly amateur game, the place to be on Saturday afternoon is the Levin Domain when home side Horowhenua-Kapiti take on their rivals from across the Tararua’s in Wairarapa Bush. The Bush are flying high in third, and cannot afford a slip up in the penultimate round if they are to make the top four and the Meads Cup. The ‘Nua sit eighth but are just four points off of fourth, though have a nine-point buffer back to King Country (who host Whanganui) so are all-but locked-in to play for one of the pieces of silverware on offer anyway.

++++++

Teams:

Lions

1. Xavier Numia (Ories), 2. Penieli Poasa (Ories), 3. Siale Lauaki (Norths), 4. Matolu Petaia (Tawa), 5. Akira Ieremia (Tawa), 6. Caleb Delany (OBU), 7. Sione Halalilo (Ories), 8. Dominic Ropeti (Ories), 9. Kyle Preston (OBU), 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths), 11. Kapu Broughton-Winterburn (HOBM), 12. Julian Savea (Ories – Captain), 13. Losi Filipo (Petone), 14. Stanley Solomon (Petone), 15. Callum Harkin (OBU) | 16. Asafo Aumua (Avalon), 17. Senio Sanele (Upper Hutt), 18. PJ Sheck (Tawa), 19. Johnny Falloon (OBU), 20. Cody Lokotui (Wellington), 21. Nui Muriwai (HOBM), 22. Tom Maiava (Ories), 23. Hibiki Yamada (Japan)

Taranaki

1. Jared Proffitt, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Reuben O’Neill, 4. Jesse Parete, 5. Hemopo Cunningham, 6. Arese Poliko, 7. Sage Walters-Hansen, 8. Kaylum Boshier, 9. Logan Crowley, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Vereniki Tikoisolomone, 12. Meihana Grindlay, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Adam Lennox, 15. Brayton Northcott-Hill | 16. JJ Pokai, 17. Perry Lawrence, 18. Marika Parker, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Olly Lawson, 21. Leone Nawai, 22. Ben Dufficy, 23. Obey Samate

Pōneke 85s

1. Seamus Rowberry, 2. Tauvaga Siolo, 3. Matt Treeby, 4. Jack MacGill, 5. Markus Stowers, 6. Pasia Asiata, 7. Nathan Marsh – captain, 8. Troy Howe, 9. Jimmy-Lee Hongara, 10. Declan Hay, 11. Dominic Ririnui-Sipa, 12. Adam Preston, 13. Nick Robertson, 14. Taine Regeling, 15. Max Rodgers | 16. Jeremy Hargreaves, 17. Geoff Botherway, 18. Harrison Faulkner, 19. Pa Taikato, 20. Mike Brown, 21. Ethan Rangi, 22. Maiterangi Arahanga

HSOB 85s

1. Will McGuckin, 2. Jose De Sousa, 3. Callum Nimmo, 4. Tom Northcote, 5. Josh Purdon, 6. Tom Robertson, 7. Josh Evans, 8. Billy Sloan, 9. Taine Cordell-Hull, 10. Jarred Percival, 11. Hugh Griffiths, 12. Maifea Taiulu Feso, 13. Ryan McNulty, 14. Ben Scott, 15. Ned Milne | 16. Bill Quigley, 17. Lance Talbot, 18. Will Turner, 19. Jack Owen, 20. Tom Baines, 21. Connor Stanley, 22. Cam Jones

Centurions Under 18s

1. Julius Toimata (WC), 2. Faimale Tagoai (Town), 3. Harry Baddington (WC), 4. Kitiona Kenese-Talaepa (Silverstream), 5. Taniela Tuangalu (WC), 6. Heath Tuifao (Silverstream), 7. Jack Robinson (WC), 8. Zk’deus Schwalger (WC), 9. Kian O’Connell (HOBM), 10. Archie Sims (WC), 11. Fraser Lindsay (WC), 12. 12. Cliff Hunt Jr (Tawa RFC), 13. Liam Phelps (HIBS), 14. Shea Boshier (WC), 15. William Davis Lenz (Silverstream) | 16. Seb Hopkins (WC), 17. Tamati Payne (Upper Hutt Rams), 18. Riley Browne (Silverstream), 19. Brandon Lo (Scots), 20. Jordan Russell (Silverstream), 21. Bentley Faulkner (WC), 22. Thomas Pritchard (HIBS), 23. Axel Daken (Silverstream)

Centurions Girls Under U8s

1. Ilo Lui-Fa’I, 2. Davina Leaana, 3. Roma Fa’amausili-McKenzie, 4. Ana Bulicakau, 5. Maddison Hosking-Ah Chong, 6. Toakase Tali, 7. Sei Pedro, 8. Lina Fa’amausili-McKenzie, 9. Arlani Bird, 10. Mattelena Tepai, 11. Milaa Haami, 12. Te Orangaiti Swinton-Maligi, 13. Annie Launiuvao, 14. Casey Sio, 15. Mia Ualesi, 16. Maia Masina, 17. Angelgrace de Thierry, 18. Ofeira Hunt, 19. Asuka Kanematsu

Māori Under 18s

1. Jahziah Ikenasio Brown (Tawa), 2. 2. Jahvaan Hunt (Silverstream), 3. Hyrum Betham (WC), 4. Rylee Poki (HIBS), 5. Riley Poki, 6. James Fullelove (OBU – captain), 7. Connar Gregor (WC), 8. Kingston Wright (St Bernard’s), 9. Graeyson Chadwick (Upper Hutt Rams), 10. Eden Govind (Tawa RFC), 11. Matiu Lowrie-Ronson (HVHS), 12. Preston Maraku (Upper Hutt Rams), 13. Izayer Ikenasio-Brown (Tawa), 14. Rico Poutama (WC), 15. Levi Walmsley (Silverstream) | 16. Noah Aliva (WC), 17. Kristian Leaupepe-Sua (Silverstream), 18. Connor Maxwell (Town), 19. Elijah Faio (Wainuiomata), 20. Jayden Caseley (Town), 21. Malachi Osman (Tawa), 22. Gia Johnston (Town)

Horowhenua-Kapiti

1. George Jacobs (Foxton), 2. Brad Reilly (Paraparaumu), 3. Ted Northcott (Rahui), 4. Dallas Wiki (Shannon), 5. Alex Fidow (Loan – Pare-Plim), 6. Albert Hemopo (Foxton), 7. Pene To’o (Loan – Upper Hutt), 8. Mika Alaifatu (Loan – HOBM), 9. TJ Barnsley (Paraparaumu), 10. Kahn Fotual’i (Foxton), 11. Willie Paia’aua (Levin COB), 12. Emmanuel Solomona (Loan – Upper Hutt), 13. Connor Paki (Foxton), 14. Max Hosking (Paraparaumu), 15. Sean Pape (Shannon) | 16. Jeremy David (Foxton), 17. David McErlean (Foxton), 18. Mikaere Harvey (Foxton), 19. Stephen Burnell (Shannon), 20. Joeli Rauca (Foxton), 21. Aaron Lahmert (Waikanae), 22. Darren Falaniko (Wanderers), Joeli Rauca (Foxton), 23. Michael Laursen (Foxton),

Wairarapa Bush

1. Tupou Lea’aemanu (Carterton – captain). 2. Lewis Bush (Greytown) 3. Faka’onga Lea’aemanu (Carterton), 4. Malakai Biumaiwai (Carterton), 5. Cody Cunningham (Martinborough), 6. Isireli Biumaiwai (Greytown), 7. Inia Katia (Carterton), 8. Folau Finau Vea (Loan – OBU), 9. Sam Walton-Sexton (Greytown), 10. Jack Eschenbach (Martinborough), 11. Soli Malatai (Greytown), 12. Jack Delaney (Loan – Feilding), 13. Levi Harmon (Loan – COB), 14. Charles Mataitai (Marist), 15. Gracyn Evans (Greytown) | 16. Terongo Tekii (Carterton), 17. Stan Wright Jr (Marist), 18. Gareth Ward-Allen (Loan – OBU), 19. Sam Gammie (Eketahuna), 20. Thomas Williams (East Coast), 21. Daryl Pickering (Carterton), 22. Fiula Tameilau (Carterton), 23. Harry Eschenbach (Martinborough)

+++++

Aisle be Back: Bledisloe Cup #1 at Eden Park

+++++

Watch last week’s episode of the Huddy Hui, with Poneke’s Pasia Asiata and HSOB’s Jack Owen, both key players in the final. 

+++++

+++++

National Under 85kg Cup Finals

The National Under 85kg Cup final has a short but storied history. Can Wellington’s Pōneke add their name to the titles against a perennial contender in a curtain raiser to the All Blacks v Wallabies Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park in Auckland.

• 2024: Pakuranga United Black Panthers: 23 v High School Old Boys Light Bears, Christchurch: 22
• 2023: High School Old Boys Light Bears, Christchurch: 45 v Takapuna Bombers: 17
• 2020: Eden, Auckland: 27 v University Squids, Auckland: 24
• 2022: Southern Bush Pigs: 21 v University Debt Collectors: 19
• 2021: Southern Bush Pigs: 32 v Tukapa Bantams: 23
• 2020: Eden, Auckland: 27 v University Squids: 24

Black Panthers Tame Light Bears

Pakuranga United Black Panthers: 23 (Logan Kinnear, Franics Morrison tries; Riley Harrison; 3 pens, 2 con) High School Old Boys Light Bears: 22 (Ned Milne try; Taine Cordell-Hull 5 pens, con)

Tears, beers, cheers, bandages, blood, and bruises filled the Pakuranga United Black Panthers dressing room following their monumental 23-22 triumph over the High School Old Boys Light Bears in the National Under 85 Knockout Cup final at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

In the 73rd minute, the Black Panthers trailed the reigning champions 22-16 when Light Bears lock Dan Livingston won a turnover reminiscent of Sam Whitelock’s poach against Ireland. Taine Cordell-Hull, who had been flawless from the tee, narrowly missed the right-hand upright with his subsequent penalty shot, leaving the door slightly ajar for the Black Panthers.

From that point, the Black Panthers stubbornly set up camp inside the Light Bears’ 22-meter area, relying on patience and power. The scrum became a furnace, with the Light Bears becoming victims of penalty after penalty.

Finally, in the 85th minute, the Light Bears’ defence buckled. Enveloped in congestion beside the posts, they left a rare opening that was exploited by centre Francis Morrison, later a tourist of Sri Lanka with the inaugural New Zealand Under-85kg team.

“Credit to the forwards. They drew everyone in. My job is to be ready and pull the trigger when required,” Morrison said about his try.

The fate of the title hinged on the conversion – a challenging kick from 15 meters in from 25 meters out into a swirly breeze. Riley Harrison never looked like missing.

“I wanted to kick it as quickly as possible. If I thought about it too much, the pressure would have gotten to me. I won the game with a last-play kick two weeks ago against Pōneke, but this one had much more on it,” said Harrison, the Black Panthers’ fly-half.

The opening quarter belonged to the Black Panthers, who constructed sturdy, surgical phases and saw Harrison slot three consecutive penalties.

It took a spontaneous break by winger Tom Anderson to awaken the Light Bears. Though Anderson fumbled near the line, the Light Bears finally gained some field position.

Soon, the Light Bears piled on 19 unanswered points, with Cordell-Hull converting four penalties from beyond 30 meters out.

The Light Bears’ sole try came from Ned Milne. The fullback retrieved a speedy pass and powered through two defenders. As he lunged for the line, he lost his balance, and a juggle of the ball ricocheted off his forehead and back into his hands.

Despite the pressure, Pakuranga remained calm. They regained structure through scrums and lineouts, swinging momentum back in their favour. Veteran Logan Kinnear, playing in his 186th game, scored a try from a scrum after he stormed openside, noticing that the defence had shifted in the opposite direction.

Cordell-Hull’s fifth penalty made the score 22-16 in favour of the Light Bears. Centre Ryan McNulty, a former winger in premier rugby, nearly sank the Black Panthers when he dashed 20 meters down the western sideline and raced for his own chip before the ball dribbled out of play. Although the Light Bears stole the lineout, they couldn’t convert it into points.

Sir Graham Henry presented the trophy to Pakuranga and remarked, “Bloody good game, boys. Enjoy the waters.”

The referee for the match was Jack Sargentina, a national squad member from Wellington whose father, Scott, was also a referee.

The Black Panthers are named after Waka Nathan, the legendary All Blacks flanker who played in 14 Tests and won all of them between 1962 and 1967. Nathan played 88 games for Auckland, being part of the Sir Fred Allen-coached team that successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield a then-record 25 times from 1960 to 1963. He later coached the Māori All Blacks, achieving 19 wins in 27 games and revitalising a struggling team. Nathan, a popular publican, won six Gallaher Shields with Otahuhu but was frequently seen at Pakuranga, where he lived in nearby Howick.

2023: Light Bears Defuse Bombers

The Light Bears set the tone early in the match. Two lineouts by Takapuna went awry, allowing the southerners to take control of the territory. Halfback Taine Cordell-Hull opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he collected a bobbling ball, pivoted past a would-be defender, and dashed away to score.

The Bombers’ chances of victory were severely impacted in the ninth minute when Nate Archibald was shown a red card shortly after the restart. The centre was involved in an accidental and dangerous collision with a High School Old Boys receiver.

With six premier backs, the Light Bears seized the initiative and scored three tries in a ruthless 15-minute burst. Canterbury B fullback George Coull was eager and clinical, while first five-eighth and first New Zealand Under 85kg captain Jarred Percival and second five-eighth Freddie Gibson combined with flair and authority, creating openings regularly.

Coull’s second try, in which he received an audacious offload from Percival, was jaw-dropping and will be remembered long after the match. It stood in stark contrast to the brutish blindside Ryan McNulty, who powered through tired defenders in his determined drive to the posts.

Finding themselves down 26-0 in less than half an hour, the Light Bears faced the wrath of the Bombers’ scrum as blindside Luke Rutledge-Harding eventually crashed over after a series of three penalties.

However, hopes of an improbable comeback were short-lived. A charge-down by hooker Jose De Sousa allowed the Light Bears to turn around with a commanding 33-7 lead at halftime.

Takapuna showed honourable resilience, nearly achieving parity on the scoreboard (12-10) in the second half. Lock Brayden “Big Red” Smith, along with loosies Rutledge-Harding and captain Matt O’Brien, were tenacious and tireless. Halfback Jackson Ephraims showcased moments of real quality, while versatile replacement Akuso Vae Lua was also called upon to contribute significantly.

Percival was pleased that the red card did not disrupt the Light Bears’ initial strategy.

“We planned to play for territory, tackle aggressively, and open it up when it was on,” he said.

“The defence today was unbelievable, and it’s a joy to watch the backs express themselves. All I have to do is sit back and admire it.”

The Bombers came into the match having won 16 consecutive games and eliminated Wellington champions Old Boys University on their way to the final.

2021 & 2022: Bush Pigs Go Back to Back

Following their 32-23 victory over the Tukapa Bantams (Taranaki) in Inglewood in 2022, the Southern Bush Pigs achieved back-to-back wins with a 21-19 triumph over the Auckland University Debt Collectors in Hamilton.

This match was played as a curtain raiser to the All Blacks vs. Argentina Test, which the All Blacks won 53-3.

Centre Josh Buchan, who scored two tries in the 2022 decider, once again starred in the match, contributing 16 points.

In challenging, greasy conditions, the Bush Pigs led by five points at halftime, but they found themselves trailing by one with just six minutes remaining. Buchan, who played 18 games for North Otago, consistently made important yardage and delivered impactful tackles. He kicked a crucial penalty to put the Bush Pigs ahead 21-19. However, the drama continued as the Bush Pigs had to withstand 23 phases of attack from the Debt Collectors to secure their victory.

Winger Tom Rance scored a remarkable try, powering past three defenders. Fullback Mackenzie Haugh had previously helped the Southern Magpies win the premier banner in Dunedin and captured an Otago Rugby League championship with the South Pacific Raiders.

Hooker Morgan Jones was outstanding, while flanker Mat McCutcheon displayed both physicality and skill. Will Boswell scored a try for the Debt Collectors, with James Brosnahan adding a conversion and four penalties to their tally.

Additionally, Bush Pigs’ second five-eighth, Jack Leslie – the son of Scottish international John Leslie – went on to play in the Otago NPC team.

2020: Eden Wins First National Title

The inaugural national final was held at Eden Park during the centenary season of Eden, where the Premiers won the Gallaher Shield for the first time in their history.

Despite trailing for much of the match, the Eden Lizards edged out their Auckland rivals, the University Squids, in a thriller 27-24.

Eden started the match with verve and aggression; however, an intercept by University captain Andy Ireland, who dashed 40 meters, opened the Squids’ scoring just four minutes in.

Eden quickly responded with a penalty kick from halfback Tom Barker in the 12th minute, before a break from first five-eighth Ignacio Costa Lidow allowed wing Max Leanna to score, giving the Lizards a 10-7 lead after 21 minutes.

Kieran Rooney of Eden received a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown in the 35th minute, allowing the Squids to lead 17-10 at halftime following a penalty by Henry Parker and a well-constructed try by loosehead prop Bobby Richards.

University extended its lead to 24-10 with 30 minutes remaining when right-wing Charlie Lambert intercepted a pass and sprinted 90 metres to score.

Eden maintained their composure, and when Ireland received a yellow card in the 52nd minute, it sparked a resurgence for the Lizards.

Leanna scored his second try, followed by a penalty from Barker. The winning try was scored by second-five Oliver Roux in the 69th minute. The ‘Frenchie’ has played over 150 Premier games for Eden.