MAGS down spirited Town side

Despite being downed 28-0 by the Mt Albert Grammar School first XV side – the local Town selection put on a spirited and competitive challenge for the visitors on Wednesday afternoon at the Swamp.

MAGS looked to be feeling the effects of playing their 2nd match in three days after their Monday night 63-0 thumping of the local Country selection team.

The Town team’s tactic of using their forwards as a battering ram seemed to work; however, slow static ball and indecision among the sides backline hampered their efforts to score points.

MAGS best mode of attack was to move the ball out wide with the majority of their tries being scored on the fringes.

The catch and pass skills and overall foot speed of the MAGS team exposed the Town defence on numerous occasions.

Best for the Town team were flanker Rangi Piri, solid front rowers Zeru Pera and Vaike Potoru, number 8 Stanley Tobia and the Newbigging brothers Eric and Aitu.

Best for MAGS were their strong-running number 8 Jacob Matiu and inside centre Jack Goodhew.

Thank you to ‘Brad Pitt’ and his hardworking Eels committee for the beautifully presented Avatiu Rugby field and also the wonderful post-match kaikai which was enjoyed by all.

The visiting team’s third and final match will be played on Saturday at the BCI stadium in Nikao at 4.30pm against a Cook Islands resident XV side.

For the local team this will our last chance to restore some local pride; however, players must bear in mind this is a classy MAGS team that contains New Zealands provincial and national age-grade players and already some of these players are signed-up to Super Rugby franchises and NRL clubs for next year.

While there are some lessons to be learned this is also a great opportunity for the players and the public to measure our playing standards against this world-class rugby school team that has strong links to the Cook Islands–and game time on the field is all good for local development.

The Cook Islands resident XV team includes – Vaike Potoru (Takuvaine/prop), Levi McKinley (Arorangi/hooker), Zeru Pera (Avatiu/prop), Thomas Harrison (Arorangi/locks), Andre Iro (Arorangi/locks), Rangi Piri (Tupapa/flanker), Lance Simiona (Titikaveka/flanker), Stanley Tobia (Avatiu/No 8), Marcello Rairoa (Avatiu/half back), Aitu Newbigging (Tupapa/1st 5/8), Thomas Potoru (Takuvaine/winger), Basil Matapo (Arorangi/2nd 5/8, utility), Eric Newbigging (Tupapa/Centre, 2nd 5/8), Puna (Avatiu/winger), Twin Tiro (Takuvaine/full back), Iaveta Karika (Titikaveka/lock), John Vano (Arorangi/Prop,hooker), Toru Katuke (Avatiu/Prop,lock), Marouna Ioane (Avatiu/Prop,lock), BJ Heather (Arorangi/half back), Daniel Aererua (Titikaveka/1st 5/8, fullback), Christian Toa (Avatiu/utility) and Akiona Tairi (Arorangi/winger).

The team is co-coached by Walter Tangata and Robert Heather, managed by Benji Rairoa and assistant manager Mairi Heather, with Pare Tangata as physio plus Tanire Mokoroa and Morgan Wichman as water boys.