OPEN FIELD: Derek Arnold finds room to move. Times photos Wayne Martin. • Howick and Botany Times
THE Pakuranga premier side continues to rewrite the history books, progressing to their first ever Gallaher Shield semi-final in Auckland club rugby.
In almost perfect conditions, the men in green and orange put aside Otahuhu, a team who had beaten them twice previously this season, 26-22 in the quarterfinal last Saturday at Bell Park.
Under the guidance of coach Wayne Pivac, Pakuranga got off to a nervous start in front of a large vocal crowd. Once Pakuranga settled into their work, they showed why they were on a six-game winning streak, piling on three impressive first half tries.
Nineteen-year-old winger Aula Silipa, who has been selected in the Auckland Colts squad, showed skills beyond his years by gathering a clever kick from the boot of Gareth Arlidge and stepping the Otahuhu defence to run in a try under the posts.
Ex-Super rugby star Romi Ropati showed his class in a player of the day performance, and was instrumental in the team’s third try. Cutting through Otahuhu’s midfield defence, Ropati slipped a pass to centre Mark Dickison who managed to get the ball free to Charlie Piutau on the wing.
Going into the halftime break ahead 18-3, Pakuranga were riding high, but a resurgent Otahuhu were not going to let the tight quarterfinal run away from them.
Otahuhu scored first in the second half courtesy of Auckland prop Charlie Faumuina, but Pakuranga responded shortly after with an impressive break down the wing from Silipa, who connected with Ropati who crossed the line for the second time in as many weeks.
The players were elated at the final whistle, as Pakuranga progress to their first ever Gallaher Shield semi-final.
Pakuranga also advance to championship semi-finals in the reserves and under-21 grades, the only club in Auckland to qualify in all three grades. The reserves beat Waitakere City 20-5 and the under-21s put aside Grammar Carlton 25-10 last Saturday.
This Saturday, the Pakuranga premier side heads to Cornwall Park to play Grammar Carlton, a team they beat in round robin play. Kick-off is at 2.45pm.
Meanwhile, Pakuranga success has been rewarded with a number of players being selected for higher honours. Tom McCartney and Arlidge are training with Auckland’s ITM Cup (national provincial championship) squad.
Derek Arnold, Steve Briscoe, Mausia Taiese, Kirk Eveleigh and Shaun Winstanley are in the Auckland Development squad, while Silipa, Piutau, Safata Savea, Dwayne Polataivao and Peni Finau are in the wider training squad for the Auckland Colts.
