22
Nelson Weekly
Sport
TUESDAY 22 May 2012
Your Community Newspaper
NZ touch player and new Stoke recruit Rebecca Kersten is set to make her Stoke debut this month. Photo: Phillip Rollo.
Touch star links up with Stoke Phillip Rollo Rebecca Kersten has never played rugby in her life, but she has already been touted as an Olympic prospect for the New Zealand Women’s Rugby Sevens team. The 16 year old Nelson College for Girls student is one of four Nelson players earmarked for New Zealand selection, so she has linked up with the Stoke Rugby Club hoping the next four years will get her on the plane to Rio de Janeiro. The New Zealand Rugby Union has been on the search for female athletes, even if they haven’t previously been involved in rugby. The NZRU’s Go4Gold programme is currently scouring the country for hidden gems and stopped off at Trafalgar Park to check out Nelson’s best two months ago. Rebecca and three other players from that trial will move on to the next phase of selection. A fortnight ago Rebecca made her debut for the Women’s Touch Blacks in a three-match test series against Australia in New South Wales. Despite being the youngest member of the squad, Rebecca was handed a start in the first up 4-3 win, which was the first time New Zealand had beaten Australia in ten years. Australia found its
stride in the remaining two fixtures, however, securing the series with 3-4 and 3-7 victories. Rebecca was surprised to be handed a starting berth. “That was only the second time the New Zealand Women’s [Touch Blacks] have beaten Australia in its history. That was a huge thing for us,” she says. Rebecca’s next focus will shift from the noncontact summer version of the game through to full on contact, just so she can fulfil her childhood dream of going to the Olympics. “I haven’t had to tackle anyone or get tackled yet so I’m looking forward to my first hit, just to get it over with and out of the way.” The four players will also join the Tasman Makos Academy. When she was younger she thought the Olympic quest would probably feature a hockey stick. With rugby sevens to be included in 2016, she has chosen a new path. “It’s completely new but I’m really looking forward to it. My ultimate dream is to make the Olympics. It’s been my goal ever since I was a kid. Hockey was always the dream, but now that my touch has really kicked on and since sevens has been included, it seems the most realistic option.”
Tough week for senior sides A storming second half by a resurgent Stoke was not quite enough, losing 33-37. Accessman Stoke division one team hauled back a 20 point deficit to come oh so close and would have walked off Greenmeadows feeling rather disappointed. After a woeful first 60 minutes, including a struggling line out, Stoke launched a frontal assault lead up front by Steve Kerr, Ray Packer, Craig Groome and Mike Tyler who took the game to the opposition with ball in hand, providing Stoke with the necessary front foot ball. Chad Lowrie also kept the scoreboard ticking over with a fantastic and accurate kicking display. Tevita Koloamatangi again impressed with another unrelenting performance especially with ball in hand, proving a real handful for the Huia defence. But at the end of the day Stoke just ran out of time to snatch victory. The division two side also felt heartache, losing to rivals Waimea Old
Boys at Jubilee Park. After looking rather sluggish in the first half Waimea capitalised on a steady and strengthening southwesterly breeze and some Stoke errors to win 34-22. Stoke had to play without its captain and first five Jake Curtis and watched a fired up home side overrun a half time lead to win the game. Stoke still got a bonus point for four tries though. The Stoke women’s team rounded out a miserable day for Stoke fans, also losing to Waimea, last year’s defending champions. The intensity was fierce first up as the two sides worked to gain the upper hand, with Waimea crossing for the first try. Stoke's backline began to find their rhythm and confidence, with standout centre Moana Forbes contributing well. It was a fairly tight match for the most part, with errors at crucial times proving to be Stokes’ undoing. Waimea capitalised on their opportunities and came away with the 36-19 win.
A Stoke player attempts to burst through the Huia defence at Greenmeadows on Saturday. Photo: Andrew Board.
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