Day Two: 1st XV Sanix World Cup Campaign

What a sleep! Up and showered before breakfast. It is game day versus Kugsyama H.S. and all the boys feel the excitement. There is definitely a feeling of expectation from the other teams here after last year’s HBHS team won. Hope we can handle the pressure. Team meeting, then strapping, rubs, showers, eating and gear on. I feel the pride in the jersey and have a huge respect for those who have worn it before me. We walk quietly across to the stadium, then warm up begins with our usual routines.  By 11 am we are “all good to go”. A mean haka, much to the delight of the local crowd, then kickoff. 

We start well, and with tries to Paea Fangufangu on the wing and No. 8 Jackson Baird Gillett, we lead 14-nil at halftime. In the second half, the game opens up with further tries to Hohepa Gibb, who has a great game at 2ndV and Luke Masirewa, the other wing. Paea adds a further two tries for a hat trick and 1^st V Josh O’Flaherty not only scores but adds five conversions. Full time score 45-5. Hohepa stands out in the backs for his running and tackling and Brodi McCurran has a blinder at blindside flanker. Overall, a solid first up performance. 

Back for showers and some downtime before dinner. Another skit practise and then video analysis of today’s game. The coaches dissect each aspect of the game and we understand how much work we still have to do. The team is named for tomorrow’s game against the Japanese Champions, Fukuoka High School, and I am not starting. A bit disappointed but I will be there for the boys and hopefully get on at some stage. We know Fukuoka is very good and made the final of Sanix two years ago. We go over tomorrow’s plan and get to bed at about 9.00 pm. Still a bit weary, so looking forward to a good sleep. However, a few of the boys are keen to talk and laugh, including Benny who always seems to be full of life. Bring on Fukuoka!! 

Sayonara