It’s not every day you score 88 points in a rugby game and concede none, but that is what happened in the Ōpōtiki Sports Premier Men’s rugby team’s most recent game.

They ran in 14 tries to dismantle Rūātoki in an impressive performance; one that has been building on the back of the family-friendly culture being created at the club.

At Princess Street Reserve, the home side chucked the ball round from all parts of the field against a depleted Rūātoki lineup.

Flanker Te Awaitaia Rools helped himself to four tries, while the ever-impressive Braeden Elmiger, playing on the wing, managed a hattrick.

Hard-running number eight Luke Morris scored a double, while the rest of the tries were shared around several players.

Ōpōtiki managed to convert nine of their tries with Mana Howe kicking four of them.

After a disappointing showing against Paroa, assistant coach David Te Moana said the guys wanted to produce something much better.

“We’re focusing on really making sure the culture and our attitudes are correct, and the guys are really starting to show that.

"In the past, some attitudes really hindered this club, but we’re trying to make it an environment that is family-friendly and supports everyone, and I feel as if we’re on the right track.”

Te Moana, a former Hurricanes, Manawatu Turbos and Western Force player, said the team knew their fitness was poor but when they heard that he might be joining them on the field this week, they stepped up their training.

“I went to the gym in the morning and about 9 or 10 boys were there with me. I did extras at training, and they were doing them too. There’s slowly a culture shift happening at the club and when we get everyone on side, it’s only going to benefit our up-and-coming rangatahi.

“We don’t just want to win the Eastern Bay competition, we want to get back into Baywide and dominate.”

A special aspect of Saturday’s win was having three Te Moana men on the field together for the first time.

“When I stepped away from the game, I wasn’t content. I knew I hadn’t completely hung the boots up. To play alongside Hoani, my cousin, who has played 50 plus matches for Ngāti Porou East Coast and Tuterangi Te Moana, another cousin, who is coaching the team, was really special.”

To add to the occasion, Te Moana managed a conversion, his first official points off the boot in rugby.

Tuterangi Te Moana said it was a special moment running out alongside family.
“It was awesome having the opportunity to play alongside both of my cousins; both being very influential rugby players for me, and two players I’ve always looked up to growing up.

“I was quite amazed at the skill set both of them possess and can see what makes them both great rugby players.”

He was very proud of the team’s performance and the result.

“I think the fact that we fell short on our last home game along with the two-week break really got things brewing within our team. We knew that we needed to respond with a dominant performance for us to keep moving forward. Positivity has been the focus within our team and will continue to be our focus moving into the second round.”

This weekend they travel to Dunderdale Park to face Te Teko, with whom the team have had many entertaining clashes over the years.

“We can’t be complacent. Te Teko are still a good side and despite going through some changes, they’ll still test us and are more than capable of beating us if we take them lightly. We’re heading down there focused on doing a job, and continuing to improve our culture amongst the club,” David Te Moana said.

The men’s senior reserve side will be lining up against their fellow Te Teko counterparts in the 1pm game and it should be a cracker after their 50-36 win over over Rūātoki B last weekend.