South Zone claims trophy
The South Zone claimed the prestigious Johnny Isaacs Trophy with a hard fought win over the North Zone in the under 19 match from the annual Johnny Isaacs Ma¯ori Rugby Tournament which was held in miserable conditions at Horahora on Saturday.
Results from the various matches played on the day were, U13s: North Zone 82 South Zone 0, U15s: South Zone 41 North Zone 10, U17s: North Zone 61 South Zone 0, women: North Zone 77 South Zone 22, and U19s: South Zone 32 North Zone 17 (for the Johnny Isaacs).
North Zone teams featured players from the Mangonui, Hokianga, and Bay of Islands sub-unions; the South Zone players hailing from the Whanga¯rei, Northern Wairoa, and Rodney/ O¯ tamatea sub unions.
It was the second year the Memorial was decided by the under-19s rather than a senior game, noted Northland Ma¯ori rugby spokesman Hector Davies.
He said it had been decided to pull the senior game off the day’s card for a variety of reasons, including a certain amount of player apathy.
“Just being seniors were always struggling to front up. Clubs were becoming more reluctant to let players go. ”
The hole created by the loss of the senior game was filled with an under 13 open weight grade match.
“In respect of the developmental aspect of the tournament, it was very successful,” he said, “To be honest, the under-13 match was actually unbelievable. Everybody said how good it was.”
Davies said a number of provincial unions were no longer endorsing weightrestricted tournaments at under-13 age level, and wondered if that indicated the writing was on the wall for tournaments like the Taniwha Shield (contested by Northland sub union sides) and Culham Shield (provincial rep sides).
The day also featured the Northland Mitre 10 Cup trial match which was played at high pace and intensity — as a curtainraiser to the U19 match — and ended with a win to South Zone over their North Zone counterparts by 21-19 although it was noted that due to heavy numbers in certain positions and injuries, as well as ensuring the two teams were evenly balanced, some players were placed in the opposite team from their actual zone.
A Northland Mitre 10 Cup extended squad of 35 players (excluding the Super Rugby ones) is expected to be named later this week, along with a 36-man B-squad.
Davies said it was another successful Ma¯ori rugby tournament overall — despite the wet and cold weather prevailing on the day — with plenty of homegrown talent on display. On behalf of organisers, he made special mention of the Horahora RFC for hosting the tournament and thanked the Northland Rugby Union for their assistance in running the day.
The various Northland Ma¯ori Rugby selections now prepare for the Te Hiku O Te Ika Regional tournament in October. A tournament debrief and regional planning meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, June 16, also at Horahora RFC.