Rotorua Boys’ High School Report
Click here for Photos of the Match
The 1stXV travelled to Rotorua for a must win clash to keep their chances of a place in the Super Eight final alive. The game coincided with a reunion for the 1988 Rotorua Boys’ 1stXV. To recognise the occasion and for future fixtures between the schools, a trophy was commissioned and created by the school.
Heading into the game, we felt we had an edge in the forwards, but were aware of the threat their back three were and so needed to ensure they didn’t get the ball in good field position. And so the game played out in that manner. We were extremely good at looking after the ball for large periods of time with the forwards in particular warming to their task well. The half pairing kept the ball in the right places and from set piece we were able to make gain line at will, setting a good platform for our forwards to run off. However, Rotorua were the first to score from a counterattack when we were unable to shut down their fullback. We came back nearly straight away with a try after some patient build up. We had another chance to score again, but the last defender went for an all or nothing intercept which paid off and a classic 14 point try ensured. We finished out the first half the stronger and scored a try to take the lead 14-12 into the second half.
In the second half, it became a game of tit for tat as neither side could put the other away. Rotorua were the first to score before we scored two of our own, including a classic counterattack try to take a 26-19 lead. Rotorua scored their fourth try to draw level and it felt like whoever was going to blink first was going to lose. Unfortunately, that team was us. With a great chance to score a try spurned through poor execution, Rotorua were then able to work their way up the field through another interception and scored the go-ahead try shortly thereafter to take the lead 33-26. With ten minutes to go there was still plenty of time to draw level and indeed take the lead. Despite being in the right parts of the field and having enough possession, the Rotorua defence held firm and the score line remained 33-26.
This was a disappointing result given the manner in which we dominated possession and territory. We can take heart from how we achieved this with attack and our breakdown work superb. In general our defense was very good; however, our inability to look after Rotorua’s fullback meant he was a constant threat with the ball and had a hand in three of their tries.
Points Scorers:
Tries: Nasser Tato x 2
Tamati Ruawai
Will Treder
Conversions: Stewart Cruden x 3
