Tuesday, 31 August 2010
WAIOHAU are three-quarters of the way to holding on to the Fatty Nuku Memorial Cup for another year, with only Ruatoki able to wrest the coveted trophy from them.
On Saturday, Waiohau looked early in their clash at home against Poroporo to have lost their grasp on one of the Eastern Bay’s most famous rugby trophies. But the side’s tenacious players drew on reserves of commitment and discipline, reasserted themselves against a determined Poroporo and drew the game – 24-all.
A draw is enough for the holder to retain the shield, first put up 50 years ago.
“They were really hungry,” Poroporo’s Rex Rua said.
“We were in the lead at halftime and they came back in the second half.”
Poroporo scored twice – in the first half through first-five Ed Maui and in the second through fullback Rob Tai. Maui converted one try, kicked three penalties and Tai kicked a fourth.
Poroporo coach Terry Ranapia told his players to keep the pressure on their opposition in the second half but the hungry Waiohau side were equally determined and their forwards began to dominate up front, gaining possession and feeding the ball to backs, who found holes in Poroporo’s defence.
“It was a hard game, but we expected that,” Waiohau coach Putt Hale said.
“We just needed to believe in ourselves, not make any mistakes and eliminate them getting turnover ball.”
A halftime pep talk did the trick. Waiohau held on to the ball more and made use of it.
First-five Te Ara Habib controlled the game for Waiohau. Habib and his brother George, playing fullback, scored Waiohau’s two tries, one of which was converted by Te Ara.
Hale said Ruatoki was the last hurdle and if Waiohau won on Saturday that would be the end of it. However, the constitution governing the trophy’s contention stipulates the holder at the start of the season is able to challenge the club holding it again at the end of the round. So if Waiohau loses on Saturday they will line up against Ruatoki again the following weekend.
The trophy is contested by five clubs: Poroporo, Ruatoki, Waiohau, Murupara and Matata. Nuku played for them all.