North Harbour Maori Rugby Registration Day,

Sunday 18th December

North Harbour Maori Rugby are having a registration and introduction day for all senior and colts (U21) players wanting to play Maori Rugby in 2012, culminating in the Te Hiku o te Ika Regional Maori Tournament on March 3rd in Cambridge.

The day will include an intro and outline of the 2012 season, a training session with ITM Cup coaches Liam Barry, Jeff Wilson and a BBQ to finish.

Venue: Hato Petera College

Time: 12pm

Bring: Rugby Training Gear

 

Maori

Squad list, fixtures & results for the 2011 North Harbour Maori Senior and Colts.

 

Seniors v Counties Manukau, 5.3.11 at Rotorua

Harbour 18 Counties Manukau 10, HT score 5-5

Point Scorers: B Botica, S Barton, R Norman Tries, B Botica 1 Pen.

The weather had a big influence on the game. Harbour were playing dry weather rugby in the wet conditions.  Huge breaks from our midfield and out wide resulted in final passes being dropped. One telling break by Sam Barton from just in our half resulted in his try, and that being our only points in the 1^st half.  After continuous pressure in the 2^nd spell within Counties 22, Ben Botica put a nice chip through for Rewi Norman to score. Karyss Adams was unlucky not to have his try awarded after a break out wide, however Ben Botica sealed it with his try towards the end.

The game was played with typical Maori aggression and constant bantering from both sides, however at the final whistle, both teams came together as one extended whanau.

 

Congratulations to Joshua Selby, Jayson Alexander, Ben Botica, Sam Barton and Karyss Adams on making the Te Hiku o te Ika Northern region team. Coaching and managing staff wish them well. Mauri Ora!

 

Colts v Bay of Plenty, 5.3.11 at Rotorua

Harbour 13 Bay of Plenty 11, HT score 3-3

Point Scorers: V Brunning Try, R Takarangi 1 Con, 1 Pen, J Botica 1 Pen.

After a tight game the Colts managed to fight and scrap their way to edge out Te Waiariki 13 - 11. Well done to all players.  In  the Coaches words, we played dry weather rugby in pouring rain and were unlucky to not put more points on. Typical Maori Rugby where both teams were lipping off to each other, however at the end of the game, that raru stayed on the field and we were all one whanau. Tau ke!

 

Seniors v Auckland, 23.2.11 at Waitemata

Harbour 46 Auckland 10, HT score 20-10

Point Scorers: J Selby, R Brown, R Norman, J Tuapou, J Vandermade, K Adams 2 Tries, B Botica 4 Con, 1 Pen.

After the Northland game Harbour needed to put together a huge effort to get some pride and mana back. With key players making themselves available, Harbour pulled off a remarkable turnaround to win a hard fought game against a ruthless Auckland side. Harbour's discipline and composure also with Senior players like Rore Brown, Ben Botica and Jeremy Hikuroa stepping up to the mark allowed our talented loose forwards and wingers to fire. A huge commitment from 1 to 22 ensured that the coaching staff could move on to the Rotorua tournament confident that this team will be able to be competitive and play maori rugby with pride, commitment and courage.

 

Colts v Auckland, 23.2.11 at Waitemata

Harbour 21 Auckland 5, HT score 0-5

Point Scorers: F Friconnet, R Takarangi, S Murray Tries, J Botica 3 Con.

Great cohesion as a team with good discipline. Defensive line still requires some tightening as does play around the fringes. Great back line runs with nice ball handling skills.

 

Seniors v Northland, 19.2.11 at Whangarei

Harbour 7 Northland 46, HT score 0-29

Point Scorers: A Harris Try, A Kiwara 1 Con.

The Northland Team were better prepared which showed with their intensity and willingness to run at Harbour from all over the field. Northland finally cracked when we stretched them wide but we failed to be consistent with our game plan. Injuries took key players off the paddock, however the replacements showed a determination to fight back with pride.

 

Colts v Northland, 19.2.11 at Whangarei

Harbour 24 Northland 50, HT score 14-31

Point Scorers: K William, T Maxwell, S Davies, V Brunning Tries, J Botica 2 Con.

Northland's performance was exceptional with well structured back play to see them victorious. Harbour were hampered by a lack of possesion in the 1st half and lapses in concentration caused poor ball retention.

The 2nd half was better structured for the Harbour side but unfortunately Northland continued their rampage to keep Harbour at bay. The Harbour lineout worked great but defensively Harbour just couldn't hold their tackles and Northland managed to break through well.

 

Colts v Bay of Plenty (pre-season), 13.2.11

Harbour 26 Bay of Plenty 15, HT score 12-15

Point Scorers: R Hutton 2, K William, T Maxwell Tries, J Botica 2, R Takarangi Conv

The 2nd half saw the team gel together with the defensive pattern strengthened from the 1st half but still requiring some tuning. The forwards work rate improved and the backs structure for play was good. The game created a much needed benchmark to identify areas for improvement.

 

 
  

Tournament Information
In 2009 North Harbour hosted the Te Hiku O Te Ika Northern Region Maori Tournament at the Glenfield Rugby Club, winning the Senior Mens grade.