CELEBRATING THE 2018 ROSS SHIELD
Prizegiving on the last day of the Ross Shield at Central Park, Waipukurau on Saturday.
Hastings West Ross Shield rugby team player Monte Timu made history as he collected the Taupo¯ Trophy in Waipukurau on Saturday.
The trophy is awarded to the player of the tournament at the 117-year-old Heinz-Wattie-sponsored event. Timu and his brother Star, who won it in 2003 in Waipukurau, are the first brothers to have their names on the trophy.
“It feels good. It makes my family, my Hastings West side and my Peterhead School proud,” 13-year-old first fiveeighth-centre Timu said.
One of four brothers to play for Hastings West, Timu is the only two-time winner after the side he captained and Napier completed unbeaten runs. “It’s still good to share it.” He said sticking to structures, good communication and playing with real heart and passion were the keys to West’s second consecutive title.He was happy to play where required.
A nephew of former All Black winger Roger Randle, who played in the Hastings side which won the 1986 Ross Shield tournament, Timu will attend Lindisfarne College next year and hopes to be a professional rugby player or doctor in the future.
Hastings West head coach Luke Rurawhe said it was a fantastic feeling to lead West to a share of the shield.
“I’m rapt for our kids, our sponsors and our community. This is the first time West has gone back-to-back.”
Timu was one of six Hastings West players selected in the Hawke’s Bay Ross Shield team which he will captain. Napier had seven players selected.
Like Rurawhe, Napier head coach Tyrone Robinson, was a first timer in the role.
“I’m over the moon. To share the shield with West was unbelievable. It was a really good campaign and everything ticked along well. To get seven players selected in the Hawke’s Bay team was a pretty good reflection of it.”
He singled out Year 7 first five-eighth Adrian Dixon for his contribution and William Colenso College’s first Hawke’s Bay Ross Shield rep, blindside flanker Iosefa Sa.
Robinson hopes to be back at the helm next year.
As expected, Dannevirke took home the Life Members Salver for the best country side and Wairoa the Ron Pierce Trophy for outstanding sportsmanship on and off the field throughout the week.