Manawatu U16s reach Canes final

The Manawatu Under 16s cruised into the final of the Hurricanes Under 16 competition with a 47-16 win over Poverty Bay in Palmerston North on Tuesday.

Manawatu racked up seven tries, pulling away early in the second half.

That sets up a re-match with Wellington, who are un-beaten.

Manawatu still have plenty to tidy up if they are to knock off Wellington, but they showed plenty of signs of improvement on attack against Poverty Bay.

Sam Stewart and Rawiri Chambers (both Boys’ High) scored the opening two tries for Manawatu, with Drew Wild (Feilding) kicking the conversions.

But Poverty stuck in the game, finding space down the touchlines.

Two penalties and a try saw them close the score to 14-11.

But Manawatu first five-eighth Stewart Cruden scooted through three defenders off a scrum to score just before the break.

Early in the second half, quick long-range tries to James Stratton (Boys’ High) and Josiah Maraku (Feilding) extended the lead.

Jack Sturmey (Boys’ High) then muscled over after some solid build-up play to secure the match at 40-11.

Stratton was yellow carded for the second consecutive match for his side’s repeated infringements.

Poverty continued to battle away and were rewarded when they went wide.

They picked up a try, but some soft defence allowed Stratton to grab his double.

Coach Blair van Stipriaan said there were still work-ons as they approached the final.

‘‘When we executed the first breakdown, we were good. But when we got a bit lazy and just started folding around and did not do the work in front of us then they capitalised really well.’’

Fullback Wild was a standout in the game against Poverty Bay. van Stipriaan said he was impressed by the way he approached the game.

‘‘He has got a really good brain to go with [his boot]. He is almost a Kieran Crowley style fullback. It means that we do not make mistakes in our danger-zone so he is a useful weapon. He has got a really good running game as well.’’

Others to impress against Poverty Bay were No 8 Michael Halatuituia (Boys’ High), flanker Tyler Laubscher (Boys’ High), hooker Jack Nesdale (Boys’ High) and Chambers.