The Aoraki girls’ rugby team was all smiles after their final game of the South Island Under-18 Girls’ Rugby Tournament despite only picking up the one win. Photo Jonathan LeaskHis side might only have taken one win away from the South Island Under-18 Girls’ Rugby Tournament, but Aoraki coach Mick Geary was a happy man at the end of the tournament on Tuesday.

Aoraki’s young players – including seven from Mid Canterbury – stuck with most of the South Island’s bigger unions early on and showed that they were more than up to the challenge.

And with the side only likely to lose around six players for next season Geary was excited about what 2019 could bring.

The team finished runners-up at the tournament last year, but this year the challenges from the bigger unions like Canterbury and Southland just proved too much.

On Sunday’s opening day at Tai Tapu, Aoraki went down 24-5 to Otago, before picking up its sole win of the tournament against Canterbury B 12-5.

On Monday Aoraki went down 36-10 to Southland and 17-0 to Tasman before being beaten by eventual winners Canterbury 47-0. Canterbury then beat Otago in the final 36-7.

In the past Mid and South Canterbury had joined with North Otago to form a Hanan Shield team, but with North Otago having joined with Otago this year Mid and South Canterbury instead formed a team under the Aoraki banner.

Schools from the two unions played in a combined secondary schools’ competition during the winter months, and the team was chosen from that competition.

Geary was the coach of this year’s winning team, Craighead, which beat the Ashburton College/Mount Hutt combined side in the final.

At the South Island tournament the games were 22.5 minute halves, so once you let a team in front it was hard to peg them back, Geary said.

But his side never gave up and played with incredible heart over the busy three days.

“It’s quite a big ask.

“It’s a long day at the office when you have a game in the morning and a game in the afternoon, there’s always some sore bodies at the end of the day,” Geary said.

Geary said Ashburton College lock Aidan Elvines was one of the Aoraki side’s standouts, along with halfback Piper Jones, who made the tournament team.

Ashburton College’s Naomi Sooaemalelagi was tenacious on defence, letting few past her at second-five or centre, while Kate Donald was the side’s captain from first-five.

“She’s pretty special. She’s a great leader and just the glue that held everyone together,” Geary said.

Naumai Terekia, on the wing, and pocket rocket Paris Gola completed the Ashburton College contingent in the team, while Mount Hutt’s Tayla Barnaby and Tyla Harraway were also in the side and Geary described them as real workhorses around the ruck.

Meanwhile, Mid Canterbury’s Jaidyn Busch was a star performer for the tournament-winning Canterbury side at number eight, also making the tournament team.

By Erin Tasker© The Ashburton Guardian - 5 October 2018