Pacy Rotoiti Blue outplay Hautapu to win Sevens
Waikato Times
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Rotoiti Blue might not have had the big names but they had plenty of pace and that is what counted at the Te Awamutu Sevens rugby tournament on Saturday.
Sparked by diminutive Fijian winger Sikeli Bola, who won the best back of the tournament award, the Rotoiti side won the 20th anniversary Brown Pennell Te Awamutu Sevens, downing Hautapu Red 22-10 in the final with a stunning display of pace.
Hautapu had the stronger forwards, with the likes of Waikato Air New Zealand Cup players Jordan Smiler and Matt Blain, but they couldn't match the overall speed of the side from Bay of Plenty.
Rotoiti were the most consistent side all day in the expanded 32-team event. They emerged from some tough section play encounters unbeaten, pipped fellow Bay side Rangataua 22-21 in the quarterfinals and made it to the final with a 29-0 hammering of Massey (North Harbour).
Hautapu Red were just as decisive in their semifinal victory, beating Te Rapa 33-0 after Te Rapa had upset defending champions Fraser-Tech Blue 21-17 in the quarterfinals. But Hautapu had earlier left it late to win their quarterfinal against Melville, breaking a 14-14 deadlock with a try after the final hooter.
Te Awamutu Sports club manager Keith Parsons said the anniversary tournament had been a great success, attracting the biggest crowd in a number of years with about 2000 present and said Waikato and Bay of Plenty selectors had felt the standard of sevens was better than ever.
Waikato Sevens coach Waisiki Masirewa named his training squad to prepare for the national tournament afterwards, including a number of Air New Zealand Cup players.
WAIKATO SEVENS
Training squad: Inside backs: Jono Malo (Marist), Thomas Bird (Te Awamutu), Vuga Tagicakibau (University), Trent Nattrass (Fraser-Tech), David Bason (Te Rapa), Abel Fleming (Te Rapa), Jimmy Horsford (Melville). Outside backs: Henry Speight (Old Boys), Ryan Meacheam (Te Awamutu), Frank Halai (Marist), James Hemera (Otorohanga), Inoke Tuibua (Te Awamutu), Matt Kenny (Old Boys), Alesana Muliaina (Te Rapa), Tim Mikkelson (University), Navi Sikieou (Te Awamutu). Forwards: Jono Armstrong (Te Awamutu), Matt Blain (Hautapu), Jordan Smiler (Hautapu), Cohen Masson (Te Awamutu), Mark Murray (Te Awamutu), Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Fraser-Tech), Josaan Levien (Marist), Steve Ketu (Marist), Shaun Peake (Morrinsville).
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