Te Awamutu’s run in France ends
Quarter-final exit but side still win top individual honour
Te Awamutu Sports’ dream of a deep run in the inaugural World Amateur Rugby Festival in southern France took a turn in the quarter-finals as a spirited Tongan side from the Kolomotu’a Rugby Club rode their size and strong offload game to beat the New Zealanders 15-13.
It was a tense, physical encounter that was dictated by the referee’s whistle.
Sports kicked the match off in the best possible style with a try to Manasa Mohuanga from a lineout drive.
Logan Karl’s conversion opened up an early 7-0 lead, only for the Tongans to answer straight back minutes later to tie the scores.
Karl quickly added a penalty goal to take the lead back at 10-7, but the Tongans struck back for their first lead through their powerful forwards to sit 12-10 ahead at halftime.
Karl took the lead back with six minutes to play with a penalty goal, only to be answered in the final minute with the winning penalty goal.
While bitterly disappointed to not be advancing, Te Awamutu shelved that and went on to record two more wins on finals day, firstly against the Rhinos Rugby Academy (United States), taking it out 20-3 with tries to Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong, Niah ChurchJones and Josh Coffin with Karl adding a conversion and a penalty goal from the tee.
Their second win came against the side they opened the tournament against, Rugby Club Dignois of France, winning 24-13 with tries to Coffin, Hone Karaka and Shauncy Waho, while three conversions and a penalty goal came from the boot of Dillon Martin.
While the results did not play out the way Te
Awamutu wanted, they did their country proud, with special mention going to lock Coffin, who was awarded Player of the Tournament after an outstanding allround performance, highlighted by crossing the line four times to tie Waho as the team’s top try-scorer.