The chase: Battlers now ones to watch
Pirates-Old Boys are traditionally the scrappers of premier club rugby, but they’re four from four and their latest win has turned heads. Logan Savory reports.
Pirates-Old Boys co-coach Mike McKenzie admits they’ve found themselves in some uncharted territory.
Mckenzie concedes those at Pirates-Old Boys had felt quite comfortable with the label of Southland premier club rugby’s unheralded scrappers – a team who fought their way into playoff contention with little fanfare.
That, though, has changed, the chasers are now being chased.
Pirates-Old Boys had prompted some chatter with their three wins from three games to open the 2021 season, but now they are the talk of the competition.
This was the result of their 27-0 bonus-point victory over defending champions Woodlands at Woodlands on Saturday.
Woodlands were dealt a major blow early in the game when they lost first five-eighth Marty McKenzie, who was forced off after a head knock.
As important as McKenzie is to Woodlands they still had enough artillery to give PiratesOld Boys a good shake.
Woodlands trailed by just five points at halftime through a sole Materua Tupou try.
It was the second half when Pirates-Old Boys turned up the heat, scoring 22 unanswered points.
Greg Dyer, Talemaitoga
Tuapati, and Kepu Suli all scored tries while Dyer also kicked a penalty and two conversions.
What pleased co-coach McKenzie the most was the way his team kept Woodlands scoreless.
He knows there is no flyingunder-the-radar now for his side.
‘‘It is a bit of uncharted territory ... but the guys are pretty humble. They know no one cares who won the first round when it comes to later in the season,’’ Mckenzie said.
Flanker Ben Keenan was outstanding for Pirates-Old Boys, and fellow loose forward Dustin Coveney again impressed.
Halfback Josh Murrell continues to look at home at the premier club level.
His opposite, Liam Howley, had to slot into the unaccustomed role of first five-eighth when McKenzie left the field.
Woodlands welcomed a couple of newbies to their setup on Saturday in former Canterbury lock Caleb Aperahama and former Otago midfielder Matt Whaanga.
Both have made the move south, with their sights on the Southland Stags’ provincial campaign.
While Pirates-Old Boys reaffirmed their status as competition frontrunners on Saturday, the Blues club emerged as a team not to write off.
Many were predicting a challenging season for Blues, which seemed confirmed when they lost 42-10 in their previous outing, against the Eastern-Northern Barbarians.
But on Saturday Blues looked very much a side who should be regarded as a playoff team in 2021.
The young Blues team were far too good for Star, beating the home side 33-21 after leading throughout.
Blues fended off Star in almost every aspect, including at scrum time, which is regarded a strength of Star.
Blues pushed out to a 26-5 lead at one stage in the first half and led 26-14 at halftime before holding tight in the second half.
Promising No 8 Arese Poliko showcased his physicality while fullback Brad Kooman again provided Blues with a good attacking threat.
As usual, strong running midfielder Kelepi Holi got Blues on the front foot.
In the third premier fixture on Saturday, Marist banked a 49-26 win over Midlands.
The two teams scored early tries before Marist pushed out to a 23-7 lead at halftime.
When Marist scored two early second-half tries, the scoreline looked as if it would really blow out.
But credit to Midlands, they continued to fight, led by a strong display by lock Joe Robins.
Midlands scored three secondhalf tries to lock in a four-try bonus point.
Hooker Joe Wetherall was Marist’s best on Saturday and was well-supported by loose forwards Liam Udy-Johns and Flynn Thomas.
Keanu Kahukura was again strong out wide, while Tevita Latu, in his first game for Marist this season, also impressed.