King Country and Poverty Bay maul visitors
KING COUNTRY and Poverty Bay have shown plenty of bite in the opening round of the Heartland Championship season, mauling visitors on their respective home turfs.
Pre-season form side Wairarapa Bush were sent packing from King Country’s home ground in Taupo, on the back of a 32-13 loss.
Poverty Bay dished out a thrashing of their own in Gisborne, sending East Coast back north after a 52-12 hiding.
Both sides recruited well in the off-season, bringing in high-calibre talent after dismal 2013 seasons.
King Country, ninth last year, brought in former Waikato secondfive Joe Perawiti.
The midfielder and superb pivot Whakataki Cunningham took charge of the Taupo match and cut the visitors to shreds.
Anthony Wise and Chanse Perham had King Country’s two tries, while Cunningham slotted both conversions and a further six penalties.
It wasn’t a complete performance from the team, but coach Kurt McQuilkin said he was pleased with the pressure put on the visitors, leading to the penalty attempts.
Perawiti in particular starred, proving hard for Wairarapa’s defence to stop.
His experience with Waikato’s NPC team in 2012 and 13 showed, and rubbed off on those around him.
Over in Gisborne, former All Black Rico Gear has helped stamp his mark on an exciting side as assistant coach.
Former Highlanders, Crusaders and New Zealand Maori loose forward Jake Paringatai has come into the team to bolster the ranks, and his presence is having an effect.
Lock Murray Hewson had a double for Poverty Bay, while Moss Doran, Sam Parkes, Brynn Uriarau, Paringatai and Donny Mill also crossed the line.
Doran slotted four conversions and three penalties to take his personal tally to 22 points.
Manager George Ormond said the influence of Gear and head coach Mutu Ngarimu, in his second year with the team, had transformed the side.
‘‘We had a tough pre-season. We lost 71-zip against Wairarapa Bush, and then Hawke’s Bay development put 50 past us,’’ he said.
‘‘We came out today on the back of that and really delivered.’’
Down in Levin, Horowhenua Kapiti fought back from a 14-6 halftime deficit to draw 19-19 with Thames Valley.
Watisoni Lotawa, Josh Turner and Mick Judd scored tries for the visitors, but Horowhenua Kapiti fought back with tries to captain Antony Fox and Ha’amea Ahio.
Hamish Buick slotted three penalties for the hosts, but couldn’t kick a conversion with two minutes remaining to hand his side victory.
Meanwhile, Buller pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history by beating North Otago 17-9 in Westport.
It was the first time the country’s smallest union has beaten North Otago since the competition’s inception.
South Canterbury also pulled off an upset of sorts in beating Wanganui 31-18, after leading 24-0 at halftime, while Meads Cup favourites Mid Canterbury came from behind to run out comfortable 52-27 victors.
Buller’s boilover came off the back of teamwork and stubborn defence.
For Buller, blindside Blair McIlroy was superb while first-five James Lash impressed with his allround skills, and Pene Nabainavalu had a big game outside him.
They led 11-9 at the break, with Nabainavalu scoring the game’s only try after 10 minutes.
Coach Craig Neill was delighted for his side.
‘‘It was a very good effort and on the back of beating West Coast for the Seddon Shield, it has been a couple of huge weeks.’’
North Otago’s best were wing Simeli Koniferedi and first-five Stephen Fenemor.
In Timaru, South Canterbury made the perfect start to their championship campaign, notching up a four-try bonus point midway through the half before Wanganui scored two late tries to close the margin.
It was South Canterbury’s biggest win over the three-time Meads Cup winners since 1960.
For South Canterbury, No 8 Josateki Veikune had a huge game while centre Paula Fifita and wing Erenimo Tau also impressed and both scored tries.
Wanganui hooker Cole Baldwin toiled away and scored a try, and captain Peter Rowe had a great battle with his counterpart at flanker, Nick Strachan. The backline, however, struggled to create much.
In Ashburton, West Coast played a strong first half, aided by Mid Canterbury having two players in the bin, to lead 27-13.
Mid Canterbury, however, found their rhythm in the second half, running in five unanswered tries as the Coasters ran out of gas.
Dwayne Burrows scored twice for the defending Meads Cup champions, as did openside Setareki Koroitamana.
Second five Peni Manumanunilwa also impressed, as did hooker Jon Sharp.
For West Coast, lock Kalave Aualiitia was a standout while tighthead prop Lolesio Lavea also impressed, and John Costello was the best of the backs.