Sports in brief

James Lowe provides highlights in six nations rugby opener

Former Tasman Mako star James Lowe produced arguably the best performance of his 37-match international career as Ireland began its defence of the Six Nations rugby crown. The 32-year-old made a triumphant return from a calf injury to feature in three of Ireland’s four tries in the 27-22 win over England in Dublin.

James showed strength to brush off a defender and beat two others before putting Kiwi teammate Jamison Gibson-Park away for his side’s opening try. Slipping into first receiver, he caught the English out with his pace before supplying the pass for lock Tadhg Beirne to score the third try.

The “Waimea Wonder” then hauled in a high pass from reserve hooker Dan Sheehan, went around his marker and turned the ball inside to Dan again for the fourth try as Ireland scored 22 unanswered points.

Despite taking a heavy knock to his right quad, James played the whole game as Ireland avenged its loss to England last year. And his Nelson College mentor, turned Ireland Assistant Coach Andrew Goodman, couldn’t hide his delight as the home side rebounded from a disappointing end to last year.

Schoolboy rugby wrangle closer to resolution

Nelson College should know by the end of this month whether it will still be able to field its own teams in the local teenage club rugby competition. New Zealand Rugby has held separate zoom calls with college and Tasman Rugby Union officials over the make-up of this year’s schoolboy sides.

NZR general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster has asked both parties to back up their hearings with a written submission. Nelson College is urging the NZR to establish a new and fairer club status application process for age grade competitions after being the only boy’s college in the country to be excluded from Saturday club play.

The Nelson Bays Rugby Sub-Union is sticking to its decision that college students should play for established rugby clubs, arguing that otherwise their age grades teams could fold, especially in the country areas. Sub-union delegates voted 9-2 in favour of excluding Nelson College sides and the Tasman union rubber stamped that. Registrations have already opened for teams to play in the new schoolboy club season which is due to start in April and pre-season training is due to start soon.

Cricket

The Nelson Griffins are hoping for a form reversal when they play Canterbury Country in the Hawke Cup Zone 3 final in Rangiora this weekend. The side was crushed at Saxton Oval by the Canterbury outfit last December.

“It was a bad toss to lose against such a strong bowling side. We could only make 165 so they won on the first innings,” recalls Griffins player-coach Sean Neal.

If the Griffins can upset Canterbury Country in their three-day clash, they will earn a Hawke Cup Challenge against holders Hawke’s Bay.

“It is easy to get up for this. It is our test match of the season,” declares Sean.
He reckons it is almost easier for smaller provincial cricket associations to win the Hawke Cup than to back up quickly and try to defend it.

Super rugby

It was like a Tasman Mako reunion when the Crusaders faced the Blues in their Super Rugby Pacific pre-season opener in Kirwee last Friday.

Returning from a calf injury, Ethan Blackadder captained the side in the absence of a rested All Black David Havili. He headed the list of five Mako starters and came through a typically physical 20 minutes in his first match since Tasman’s Ranfurly Shield loss Taranaki four months ago.

Wing Macca Springer, who had an underwhelming NPC campaign, also impressed with one of the Crusaders’ three tries in the 35-19 loss. Halfback Noah Hotham, centre Levi Aumua and lock Antonio Shalfoon also started as the Crusaders rested their All Blacks.

Seven Mako were also on the 20-strong list of reserves with Harry Inch, fresh out of Nelson College, getting game time at second five outside veteran Australian import James O’Connor.

Meanwhile Finlay Christie and former Tasman star Anton Segner started for the Blues. Anton having a huge game against his old Mako mates.

Powerboat regatta

Powerboat regatta returns to Rotoiti: The Rotoiti Power Boat Club regatta is set to be bigger and better than ever this year.

The roar of power boats will hit the water on the weekend of 8-9 March for the 102nd edition of the popular event. Club spokesman, Joe Blakiston, says the huge interest in the GP Hydroplane division, with the final round of the Hydro Thunder series being held at the event, will make for exciting viewing. South Island hopes rest on the shoulders of Christchurch-based Raymond Hart in Thunderstruck - the winner of Round 2 held recently - and Jason Haggerty in Lady Liz from Te Anau.

As an added bonus, on each day a fighter plane display from the Blenheim based Yak 3 ‘Steadfast’ will be held in the lunchbreak, which is always a crowd favourite.