Day Eight: 1st XV Sanix World Cup Campaign

 

There is a bit of downtime this morning as we don’t play our semifinal until 1.40pm. The coaches use this time for 1 on 1 discussion. If there’s one thing about these guys it’s that they’re going to tell you what your work-ons are. I enjoy the opportunity to speak with the coach to pinpoint exactly what I have to do to become a starter. Our pre-match begins and the Doc checks out one of the several sore parts on my body. All good - only bruising. Rubs, shower, feed, strapping and gear up. The walk across to the stadium has an edge today as we all know that there’s no second chance for the loser. Injuries have meant that we have lost a few experienced players and it is up to all of us to stand up. Warm-up routines, back to the shed for jerseys and out for the haka.

 

An early forward drive leads to a push-over try to loosie Te Ate Walker. Halfback Ben Finau dashes from a ruck to score soon after. Following a Toin Gauken penalty, lock Brodi McCurran takes a spectacular catch from the kick-off and steps and fends his way 40 metres to the try-line. This must be the try of the tournament. Openside flanker Chris Lolohea shows his kick and chase skills to score, while winger Paea Fangufangu and centre Regan Ware are all ‘gas’ in scoring a pair of long range tries. The halftime score is 38-6. The second half is a lot closer, with Toin Gauken scoring twice, while Te Ate Walker scores again. Winger Isaac Te Tamaki has the final say with a fine sprint to the line. Te Raina Richards-Coxhead adds four conversions while Josh O’Flaherty adds another two. The final score is 52-16.

 

Grassroots Trust forward of the day goes to Te Ate Walker, while the Lodge Real Estate back of the day is awarded to Regan Ware. The win is even more impressive considering captain Alex Suttie and Joe Webber are both rested with injuries. Fortunately they’ll both be ready for tomorrows final.

 

Warmdown, sing, ice and shower up. We’re soon back out to watch the second half of the other semi between England and South Africa. It’s tough match, but the big England team just hold on to win. We’ll have Ivybridge College in the final tomorrow.

 

Rest and then dinner followed by our evening team meeting. We all listen silently as Mr Hotham reads the team for the final. I’m named on the bench again. We split into backs and forwards and discuss an analysis of the English game. We start piecing together our game plan with a focus on what patterns of play will be most effective. The coaches talk about tomorrow as a very special day to be treasured and we all understand and agree. Each player then speaks about what the final means to them. Our families and loved ones feature strongly in many of the boys’ contributions. Mrs Clarke reads today’s e-mails and we applaud Benny who finally gets out of the L.H. Club. He instantly bursts into some kind of break dance and thanks his mum. Among the many messages are special team e-mails from Mrs Hassall and last year’s players Nick Ross and Adam Burn.

We head off to bed with one thing on our mind….tomorrow we must play the best game of our tournament.

 

Sayonara