Tasman Trophy decider returns to Blenheim

Peter Jones

Central earned an opportunity to clinch back-to-back Tasman Trophy rugby titles with a hardearned 34-22 victory over Stoke at Lansdowne Park on Saturday afternoon.

Then, adding to the joy of getting past a side who had beaten them in the round-robin stages, was the news that top qualifier Kahurangi had been beaten 18-11 by fourthplaced Marist in Motueka, meaning the elated Blues will host next Saturday’s trophy decider in Blenheim.

Central made the early running on a gloomy, drizzly afternoon, bringing strike weapon Timoci Tavatavanawai into action whenever possible as they surged to a 14-3 lead halfway through the first spell.

Then it was Stoke’s turn to attack and it was only staunch defence that stopped them coming away with more than three points after a long period camped in Central’s 22.

The home side botched a couple of clear-cut scoring opportunities through dropped passes but picked up a crucial try just before the halftime break, centre Nigel Satherley finally creating a gap in the Stoke defensive line to push Central into a 21-3 lead.

Tavatavanawai’s second try, once again from a clever lineout vari- ation, saw the Blues move ahead 28-10 straight after oranges, Mitch Smith converting all of his side’s four touchdowns.

Stoke replied almost immediately, a converted try closing the gap, before two penalties to Smith stretched the home side’s lead to 34-17.

Again, Stoke fought back, scoring a late try before time ran out on their very competitive 2023 campaign.

The Blues will head into the title decider with a much-changed side from that which dominated last year’s competition, injuries and absences meaning other players now get a chance to taste finals footy, a fact that pleases player-coach Quentin MacDonald.

“It shows that what we have been doing at training is working, and not just with the same set of players,” he said.

The inspirational hooker was again at the heart of the Central game and a big part of a scrum which dominated throughout, often getting his side out of trouble with well-timed momentum.

The tight five were impressive. Prop Sione Papani had a top game, as did fellow front-rower Lockie McCormick, plus locks Matt McCormick and Wayden Smith.

Loosies Jack Kelly and Luke Crookbain tackled well, while No 8 Vailua Kaloni carried strongly.

Tavatavanawai was at his bustling best out wide, halfback Ethan Jones was tidy in difficult conditions, fullback Jake Cresswell was accomplished at the back while Mitch Smith continued to display a cool head with a string of good decisions.

MacDonald was proud of his charges and the way they dug in.

“Against a team like [Stoke] no lead is safe, we found that out over the last couple of weeks so we will take that gladly. There are obviously some areas we have to tidy up but generally I thought the backs and forwards complemented each other pretty well.

“I also thought we defended well although our discipline let us down at times, but hey, we’ll take that in semifinals footy.

“We have earned one more week but we are well aware it will be a tough battle against Marist.”

MacDonald was also pleased with how the team were able to get strike weapon Tavatavanawai more into the game from his wing position. “We have got to use him as much as possible … he’s too special to not get involved.”

Although Stoke will rue lost opportunities, especially at scrum time, they produced a whole-hearted display, led by skipper Taine Robinson in midfield, fullback Colm Hogan, busy halfback Mason Lund, flanker Tayne Hemopo and hooker Kendall Hodson.

Mud Dogs do business

Meanwhile, a rampaging Renwick division two side made sure there was no double delight for Central at Lansdowne Park. The “Mud Dogs” booked a spot in next week’s final with a gritty 28-17 victory over the second seeds.

In a see-sawing encounter, Renwick claimed a handy 12-3 halftime lead on the back of some cohesive forward play, closerange tries to Nick Dickson and Ty Bampton giving them an edge.

A Liam Young try for the Blues closed the gap straight after the break and, although Bampton landed a penalty goal, a Te Ariki Peipi touchdown pushed the home side into a 17-15 lead midway through the half.

That was the signal for Renwick to up the ante and they did just that, creating field position from where Bampton booted two more penalties and replacement winger Rupeni Cokanasiga scored a late try to wrap up the match for the delighted “Mud Dogs”.

Kyle Marfell, Bampton, Vincent Liardet-Smith, Mike Emmerson, Hayden Howard and Matt Patterson caught the eye for Renwick, while Peipi, Young, Cam Donald, Caleb Young, Vili Taufa and Logan Robinson shone for the Blues.

Renwick will play defending champs Waitohi in the division two final after the Picton-based side downed Harlequins 31-14 at Endeavour Park.

Quins led 11-7 at the break, but were unable to capitalise on a good start, the home side raising the tempo in the second half to book a place in the decider.