TBHS’s latest test cap calls in Heartland XV starts Fiji tour with hard-fought win
Timaru Boys’ High School’s latest international rugby player has returned to his old school for a visit.
Siua Maile was a surprise callup for the Tongan side at the Rugby World Cup.
The 22-year-old humble hooker was doing his day job as a roofer in Christchurch when he received the unexpected call.
‘‘I didn’t believe it at first and it ended up being such a great experience.
‘‘To go from playing club level in Christchurch to such a high level of rugby.’’ Maile said he enjoyed every moment. ‘‘It is an honour to pull on the jersey and play for your country.’’
Maile said it was fantastic to be part of a team at a Rugby World Cup.
‘‘I was used to a couple of hundred people maybe watching club rugby to full stadiums. It was pretty amazing.’’
As for the rugby, Maile rated himself a pass mark.
‘‘Playing at the highest level, I thought I did okay.
‘‘I still can’t believe
Rugby World Cup.’’
Maile was one of the feel good stories as far as selections went.
Injuries to two frontline hookers had the Tongan coaches scrambling and they found Maile on Facebook after an associate recommended him.
When Maile arrived at Auckland airport to join the Tongan team no-one knew
I got to go to a what he looked like really.
That was short lived and Maile fitted straight into the team and the culture, facing the All Blacks in his test debut.
‘‘The boys were really great to me and I learned a lot.’’
His impact in the side did not go unnoticed and he will pack his boots again at the end of the month.
Maile is off to the United States to play professional rugby for the first time.
He has been contracted to the Houston SaberCats for six months.
The SaberCats are based in Texas. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in Major League Rugby, the top-level rugby competition in the United States that played its first season in 2018.
Maile admits he is unsure how tough the league is but is looking forward to it.
‘‘It should be good but it will be different as my family is staying in Christchurch but will come over and visit me.’’
The Tongan international played for the Timaru Boys’ High School first XV in 2013 and 2014 as a loose forward.
The New Zealand Heartland XV started their two-game tour of Fiji with a 12-7 win over Vanua XV at Lautoka.
Assistant Heartland coach Nigel Walsh, who was the South Canterbury coach this season, was happy with the win.
‘‘It was a very strong physical game up against a big Vanua Fiji side.’’
Two South Canterbury players, Willie Wright and Miles Medlicott, were named in the starting line-up.
Walsh said Wright had a very strong game at halfback before moving out to first five to make way for North Otago’s Robbie Smith.
‘‘Willie’s defence around the park was very strong, as was his running game,’’ he said.
‘‘Miles led the team well around the park and performed well on a very hot and humid night.’’
The Heartland XV were forced to come from behind over the Vanua XV at Churchill Park.
They opened the scoring with a try by East Coast flanker Hone Haerewa midway through the first half.
Vanua replied just before half time with a try to lock Elia Ratukove, which was converted for a 7-5 lead at the break.
In the 47th minute the Heartland team took the lead back with a try to second five Jaxon Tagavaitau, with Medlicott converting.
Walsh said the final 30 minutes were an arm wrestle but the Heartland XV hung on for a deserved win.
The two teams will meet again today in Sigatoka.
The Heartland XV lost their opening game to New Zealand Marist 29-19 in Te Aroha.
It was the first time NZ Marist have won the annual fixture since 2011.
Celtic prop Garret Casey got 20 minutes for NZ Marist while South Canterbury captain Nick Strachan started for the NZ Heartland XV on the open side.
South Canterbury lock Reegan O’Gorman was also selected for the Heartland XV but had to withdraw from the tour with a leg injury.
Heartland XV coach Mark Rutene and Walsh then made 11 changes for the game against Vanua, giving his whole squad a run in the opening two games, with three games scheduled in eight days.
The only survivors in the starting lineup were Thames Valley captain Brett Ranga at No 8 and his Wanganui vicecaptain Campbell Hart at lock, along with Horowhenua-Kapiti backs Tagavaitau at second-five and Willie Paia’aua on the wing.
The win in Fiji was the New Zealand Heartland’s 18th victory from 30 games since 2006, after taking over from the NZ Divisional XV.
NZ Heartland XV 12 (H Haerewa, J Tagavaitau try; M Medlicott con) bt Vanua XV 7.