Sevens

On Friday night, November 5th, North Harbour entered two teams in to the Village Sports Academy (VSA) 7s tournament.The North Harbour Knights and the North Harbour Masters.

 

The 'Knights' were first up against the hosts,VSA, a team made up of Auckland Academy players and including former NZ 7s reps Tutu Tairea and Jordan Puletua. The Knights were Captained by Phil Tuigamala who was the star of the game and led his side to a 17-7 win. Next up were the 'Masters' playing a Waikato side,Te Ara Wheke. With Taniela Tavaga scoring a hat trick of tries, the Masters ran out easy winners. The Knights next game was a tough one against Pro Sport (Auckland). With only one training session behind them and a noticeable lack of combinations, the Knights struggled to a 10-10 draw, thanks to fine contributions from Jack McPhee and Leigh Thompson. The Masters played Auckland club side Suburbs next up, and Suburbs showed the benefit of plenty of 7s game time and training sessions in defeating the Masters, despite a huge game from Jack Whetton, in front of NZ 7s Coach Gordon Tietjens. Next up in pool play for the Knights was Eden Rugby, the hosting club, and the Knights clicked in to gear with an easy win to move in to the Final. Grayson Hart showed excellent 7s skills in this match. For the Masters, they needed results to go their way to set up an all Harbour final. They duly dispatched Harbour club side Massey, superbly skippered by Renata Hakiwai. Unfortunately Te Ara Wheke couldnt hold on against Suburbs, so Suburbs moved in to the final. The Harbour Masters fought out 3rd and 4th place against a strong Pro Sport side, the same side which held the Knights to a draw, and played outstanding 7s to run away with the victory. In the final, the Harbour Knights were too strong for Suburbs, with Alipate Fatafehi showing his power and class. A VSA 7s tournament victory for the Harbour Knights and 3rd place for the Harbour Masters.

 

Player of the tournament and top try scorer was Taniela Tavaga. Maori TV were on hand to record the days action.

The following players have been named in the North Harbour 7s extended training squad, to prepare for the National 7s Championships in Queenstown in January 2011. Players are to meet on Sunday 7th November at Marist Rugby grounds at 3.30pm.

Following fitness testing on December 6th, the squad will be reduced to 28 players for the Red Bull 7s tournament on December 11th.

 

Theo Hermans

Brad Hunt

Renata Hakiwai

Scott Uren

Alipate Fatafehi

Willy Whetton

Chris Smith

Jimmy Tuivaiti

Matt Graham

Josh Blucher

Aidan Smith

Leigh Thompson

Jack Whetton

Irwin Finau

Zak Judge

Frank Afeaki

Marc Camburn

Braedon York

Josh Sabin

Vinny McDonald

Phil Tuigamala

Nalu Tuigamala

Ben Botica

Danny Morrison

Fou Tuivaiti

Dennis Pili-Gaitau

Tanimo Samoa

Jason O'Toole

Jerome Niumata

Aaron Doyle

Konnor Ah Kuoi

Taniela Tavaga

Jack McPhee

Regan Oxenham

Alyx Hodgson

Grayson Hart

Will Barrett

Nafi Tuitavaki

Ken Pisi

Jona Tuitoga

Tua Saseve

Jon Bennett

Tim Blundell

Josh York

Richard Haddon