Rarawa players catch selectors’ eye
Teens’ strong form impresses
The rising profile of women’s rugby led by the success of the Black Ferns 15s and sevens sides and superstars like Portia Woodman is beginning to reap dividends at grassroots level judging by the presence of various Far North clubs contesting the under15 and under-18 girls division titles at the Bay of Islands Sevens last weekend.
One such team, Te Rarawa competed in the under-15 division. While the girls only managed one win from their four games , coach David Allen said he was well pleased with the overall performance considering the limited build-up and inexperience of many of his players.
The team will be in action again at the second leg of the junior sevens series at Onerahi in Whangarei on Saturday. The Ahipara club is hoping to get enough numbers together to enter a team in the U18 girls division at Onerahi.
The Te Rarawa U15 girls rugby sevens side. From back left, David Allen (coach), Karipori Watene, Ruapounamu Herbert-Brown, Brooklyn Hokai, Paige Hall, Moana Adams, Keina Watene, second row, Michael Brown (mascot), Corina Blair, Ana Allen, Jordan Kaipo-Dunn, Charlotte Lambert, and front: Liana Brown.
Players attending both Bay and Whangarei tournaments also have an opportunity to make the Northland U15 and U18 girls’ rep sides which Scott Collins — the NRU’s women’s development manager — is taking to the northern regions sevens tournament in Taupiri on April 6. Several members of Allen’s Te Rarawa squad have apparently already caught the Northland selectors’ attention.
The two local tournaments also provided a pre-season hit-out for the local junior and age grade players ahead of their looming winter campaigns. The other Mangonui club playing at Kerikeri last weekend was Kaitaia in the U16 boys’ division. Sides playing under the Bay of Islands banner included hosts Kerikeri, Moerewa, Kaeo, Okaihau and Kaikohe, along with a team from the Moerewa Tigers rugby league faction.
RESULTS from the Bay of Island age grade rugby sevens competition in Kerikeri on Saturday, February 24 were as follows.
Boys, U11s: Kamo 1, City One 2, City Two 3, Moerewa 4, Kerikeri 5, Marist 6, Moerewa Tigers 7; U13s: City 1, Kaeo 2, Marist 3, Kerikeri 4; U14s: City 1, Kerikeri 2, Moerewa 3, Okaihau 4; U16s: City, Kaitaia 1=, Kerikeri 3, Moerewa 4; U18s: Moerewa 1, Kaikohe 2.
Girls, U15 girls: Angelz 1, Kaikohe 2, Te Rarawa 3; U18 girls: Moerewa 1, Kerikeri 2.
Organisers advise winners will be presented with their trophies in Whangarei this Saturday. ■ Any interested players keen to trial out for the Northland U18 girls sevens side were invited to contact Perry Hanara (021) 853-804.