Waikato win University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament
The University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament provided spectators who travelled both near and far a tightly contested round robin in trying conditions in New Plymouth. Waikato today were crowned winners of the 2019 University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament with an unbeaten record across the duration of the week.
The final round robin match between Waikato and Counties Manukau would determine the tournament winner. Counties Manukau were hunting a bonus point win to claim the title where Waikato were heading in as favourites to make it three wins from three.
In a strongly contested first half the scores were tied up at the break, with one try apiece. However, a clinical Waikato side edged away from their opposition and pulled away on the scoreboard.
The Waikato forward pack were well drilled, dominating set piece and the breakdown across throughout the duration of the match. Counties Manukau had periods where they demonstrated their potent attack out wide, but lack of possession out wide prevented them from executing their attack. Waikato in the end running away with the match 33-12.
Waikato Under 16 head coach Elliot Sharp said: “We have a great group of boys’ in this team who are enjoying getting together and playing some great running rugby. While the weather has been challenging at times, I am proud of how they have continued to persevere and be present both on attack and when defending. There is some great young talent from across the Chiefs Region which is exciting to see.”
Chiefs Rugby Club player development manager Kent Currie said: “In trying conditions, we have seen these talented kids produce some outstanding periods of rugby. Credit to the coaches fielding their teams across the week. It is never an easy task to manage a group of excited individuals, but it has been great to see how the teams’ have progressed across the week.”
A tournament team of twenty-four players from across the Chiefs Region were selected from the tournament.
University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament results:
Monday 30th September 2019:
Taranaki 10 vs. Waikato 22
Counties Manukau 28 vs. Bay of Plenty 8
Tuesday 1st October 2019:
Bay of Plenty 12 vs Waikato 33
Taranaki 16 vs Counties Manukau 10
Thursday 3rd October 2019:
Counties Manukau 12 vs Waikato 33
Taranaki 17 vs Bay of Plenty 27
University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 final standings:
Waikato 14
Counties Manukau 6
Taranaki 4
Bay of Plenty 4
University of Waikato Chiefs Region Under 16 Tournament team:
Slade Baker Taingahue (Bay of Plenty)
Junior Tolutau’u (Counties Manukau)
Adam Faalolo (Counties Manukau)
Quinton Landman (Bay of Plenty)
Andrew Smith (Waikato)
Josh Keech (Taranaki)
Lincoln Winter (Waikato)
Malachi Wrampling (Waikato)
Ben Strang (Waikato)
Dawson Smith (Waikato)
Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota (Taranaki)
Ngakohu Walker (Bay of Plenty)
Isi Taimikovi (Counties Manukau)
Monty Anitoni (Counties Manukau)
Timothy Banks (Counties Manukau)
Toby Taylor (Bay of Plenty)
Sean Ralph (Waikato)
Keran Van Staden (Waikato)
Moses McGoon (Waikato)
Jonty Short (Waikato)
Che Potaka (Taranaki)
Topia Barrowcliffe (Taranaki)
Tom Morris (Taranaki)
Liukhane De-Thierry Rhind (Counties Manukau)
