Hiding dished out by a classy New Zealand Universities side.
IT is said that every cloud has a silver lining, and so it was for the 22 players who fronted up for Poverty Bay in a 64-0 hiding dished out by a classy New Zealand Universities side at Rugby Park last night.
Following the 10-tries-to-none defeat each member of the Bay side was presented with the silver fern jersey worn by his counterpart.
“It was an unexpected and tremendous gesture by Brendon Timmins (NZ University coach) and his players, said Bay coach Mutu Ngarimu, a former New Zealand Maori player, who, for various reasons, gave seven players their Bay starting debuts last night.
“For most of our players it is the closest they’ll get to wearing the silver fern jersey. I’m stoked for them.”
Timmins said his players were happy to hand over their playing strip.
“Each of our players will receive a jersey to keep but it’s the least we could do after Poverty Bay took on this game,” Timmins said. “We were supposed to play Kanto (East Japan) but they had to pull out.
“We met with (Gisborne artist/composer/Maori leader) Derek Lardelli (who gifted them their team haka) last year and he spoke about us bringing the team here. We’re very grateful that Poverty Bay gave us the opportunity to play them.”
Ngarimu and Bay co-captains James Grogan and TK Moeke were proud of the team performance.
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RUGBY by John Hill
Published: May 3, 2016 12:10PM
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