Ōpōtiki speedster Braeden Elmiger knows how to find his way across the try line.
The outside back, who can also play centre or flanker, scored an impressive five tries in Ōpōtiki’s 88-0 hammering of Te Teko at Dunderdale Park on Saturday.
Elmiger used his silky footwork and elusiveness to create plenty of havoc for the Te Teko defence.

His efforts helped Ōpōtiki score 14 tries in the victory with Creed Edwards and Tamarau Karepa scoring two tries each.

It was the first time Elmiger had scored five tries in a game – an impressive feat considering it’s only been done twice at Super Rugby level by the late Sean Wainui for the Chiefs and Crusaders winger Macca Springer, who managed five against the Western Force earlier this year.

Elmiger said he was "pretty happy" to have bagged five tries as it wasn't something he'd managed before.

Ōpōtiki coach Tuterangi Te Moana was proud of his team and their performance against Te Teko.

“I’m very proud of the team’s performance on Saturday. I don’t think the score reflected the game at all; Te Teko had a few missed opportunities but were still in our face for the full 80 minutes, their physicality is still very much present in comparison to years passed.”

Te Moana said it was a good all-round showing on attack and defence that he was proud of.

“I was also very impressed by the grit displayed by our boys in holding out Te Teko from putting points on the board. Not easy to do to a home team. That’s testament to the standard that the boys are holding themselves to and I think that’s the same reason why they seem to be clicking so well. They’re all out there trying to put on their best performance and that energy is what they seem to be feeding off.”

He said with reasonable numbers and a great culture it was hard picking a side every week.

“Everyone played well but the standouts would have to be Tangike Borrel, Braeden Elmiger, Tāne Howe, Creed Edwards. However, their efforts are nothing without the rest of the team around them.”

He said Elmiger’s ability to find the try line was a bonus for the team.

“Braeden did bag five tries and has proven that he has the ability to score from every position, as a winger playing centre on the weekend to making a cameo at open side flanker as well.”

Ōpōtiki will face one of their toughest challenges of the season when they host an unbeaten Whakatāne Marist at Princess Street Reserve. Meanwhile, the Ōpōtiki B team suffered a 23-14 loss to Te Teko B to share the spoils between the clubs for the weekend. This weekend they host Matatā in the early clash at Princess Street Reserve.

Te Moana expects a tough battle this weekend against Marist.

“We are looking forward to this weekend's match up. I know some of the boys are carrying a chip on their shoulder since last year's final, so I think they’ll be looking to make things right there. Also looking forward to seeing what Marist brings this year after their draw with Paroa on the weekend.”

TALENTED: Ōpōtiki's Braeden Elmiger scored five tries against Te Teko. File photo - (You will have to find one - sorry).