U85s National Club Cup: Quarter-finals review

By Adam Julian

Eight has become four in the National Club Under 85kg knockout championship. Auckland champions Pakuranga edged Wellington’s Pōneke 28-27 in a capital blockbuster. 

The Slugs scrum could have slithered snow of the Tararua ranges; Auckland University imperious 32-24 winners against Linwood from Canterbury. Defending champions High School Old Boys (Christchurch) emphatically dismissed Old Boys University (Wellington) 25-7. Karaka (Counties) were compelling 28-20 victors over hearty Morrinsville, not far from the Hamilton metropolis.

Results

Karaka Razzlers: 28 v Morrinsville Sports Majestic Pukekos: 20

Pakuranga United Black Panthers: 28 v Pōneke: 27

Auckland University Slugs: 32 v Linwood El Toros: 24

High School Old Boys Light Bears: 25 v Old Boys University Scallywags: 7

On the wall of the Auckland University rugby club at Colin Maiden Park is a proud poster captioned: Conversations, Blue Collar, Detail. 

Beside the yachting mast-sized recruitment tool is a photo of an earnest Sir Graham Henry; the All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup winning coach captured during a stressful moment of that ultimately glorious campaign. Ted cut his teeth at University; in 1984 guiding the students to a senior Gallaher Shield triumph. The National 85 competition is his brainchild.

Inspired by such a legacy the Slugs scrum was so dominant that even ABC News moderators would struggle to find fault. 

Despite conceding three early points, Linwood’s start was promising enough with a sustained assault on the Slugs line. 

The match turned sharply a dozen minutes before halftime.Slugs No.8 Jack Laity scored 28th and 32nd-minute tries as Linwood’s scrum crumbled. A yellow card compounded the misery as it was 17-0 at the interval. 

The Slugs showed their lineout drive could operate with a similar ruthlessness; a rolling maul try made it 22-0. Things were even bleaker for Linwood when winger Will Wrightson scorched clear from a dummy cut at a scrum.  

The Slugs became ragged as Linwood bravely rallied. Lock Nick Rogatski speared through like a javelin to open the scoring. First five-eighth Jake Chalken resembled a Sevens player at times as he easily shifted between halfback and ten. With swift trickery, Chalken scored a try near the line, produced a chip that got the Slugs in a royal tangle, and delivered the pass for a Josh Wells touchdown. 

Much credit for the Slugs scrum belongs to Head Coach and former North Harbour prop Teague McElroy whose Rosmini ruggedness is the antithesis of chic Sacred Heart College lawyer George Witana and investment advisor Maile Koloto. The trio might be poles apart in appearance but enjoy undeniable chemistry though Koloto is prone to embellishing his scrummaging credentials.  

Pakuranga’s scrum was equally callous at Evans Bay Park, ironically the home field of Pōneke’s fiercest rivals, Marist St Pats. 

With time almost expired Pakuranga pummelled Pōneke to earn a penalty directly in front of the sticks 20 metres out. First five-eighth Riley Harrison calmly slotted the goal to trigger celebrations. 

It was a tense and exhilarating content with Pakuranga’s forwards their best asset despite tenacious Pōneke grit. 

Pōneke had flipped a 13-15 halftime deficit by scoring two consecutive tries in the 52nd and 56th minutes to go up 27-15.

After being held up twice, Pōneke wasn’t going to be denied a third time with centre Nick Robertson breaking through from close range. Robertson has scored more than 60 premier tries. 

A box kick by Pōneke captain and halfback Jimmy Lee-Hongara was stunningly snatched by hooker James Yarndley. Pakuranga held on by a thread and exited with a goal-line dropout. Poneke ran it back and first five Rique Miln found No. 8 Pasia Asiata on his inside and he powered his way to the line on a 20-metre run.

Were the Black Panthers in disarray? Tries in the 61st and 66th minutes cut Pōneke’s lead to 27-25.

The first was scored after a penalty and lineout drive while the second was secured by replacement midfielder Kobe Kay, after a run by fullback Regan McGregor.

The first half was similarly competitive. Harrison opened the scoring with a penalty before Pōneke left wing Jacob Walmsley dashed clear the opening try.

Miln kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 10-3 before Pakuranga’s scrum forewarned its colossal power with a pushover.  

Miln kicked his second penalty before Pakuranga scored their second try to make it 15-13 at halftime. No.8 and captain Callum Diamond was rewarded after another brutal scrum. 

Stingy defense drove High School Old Boys to a 25-7 victory over the Scallywags. Wellington’s students took 74 minutes to break through and when the try happened it was about as attractive as a tray of dirty dishes with a hangover. Countless phases were reapplied by the tourists until the ball was discovered on the paint in a pile. Tom Henderson converted and at 13-7 a potentially epic finish loomed. 

Instead, High School Old Boys tackling forced an error at the restart, and No.8 Tyler Koning stampeded off the back of a scrum to make it 18-7. High School Old Boys scored their third and final try with some acrobatics in the corner.

It took 30 minutes for the first points to be scored, attrition rather than ambition was the order of the day. Both defenses were tight, organised, and patient.

Gradually High School Old Boys wrestled control of possession and territory and the first try was a quality finish by dangerous centre Ryan McNulty. Left winger Ben Scott looked likely and halves Taine Cordell-Hull and Jarred Percival were assured, each sharing goal-kicking duties. Scallywags flankers Jason Fawcett and Ollie Sterling were industrious. 

Founded in 1935, Karaka’s most famous players are All Blacks Augustine Pulu and Karl Tu'inukuafe. Fijian winger Jone Muakalou is another making a name for himself. His two tries were the difference in the Razzlers 28-20 success over the Majestic Pukekos.

Karaka was second in the Counties competition. Morrinsville won a 17-16 cliffhanger in the Waikato final against Fraser Tech who Karaka beat in the previous round of the knockout cup.