Blues on the board

Central picked up their first Tasman Trophy rugby win of the 2025 season at Lansdowne Park this afternoon, accounting for Kahurangi 46-29 in a replay of the previous year’s final.

It may have been a battle of the top two sides from 2024, but the team sheets bore only a passing resemblance to last season’s line-ups.

There were changes aplenty for both clubs, which was reflected in the overall standard of play.

Central may have ended up with a relatively-comfortable winning margin, but they would not have been happy with their error rate and defensive organisation. At times they looked particularly dangerous, especially when using the ball out wide, but on other occasions they tended to force passes and turned over possession too easily.

The visitors also looked potent at times, but continually invited their rivals back into the match, either through ill-discipline or unforced errors.

Central player/coach Quentin MacDonald was just pleased to pick up five points.

“We are stoked to get the win … we are getting better each week, especially with the new bunch of boys we have got,” he said.

“It is just about getting that consistency for the 80 minutes. We did some good things, then there were passages when we just couldn’t catch the ball ... that will come with experience.

“The boys are starting to pick up on some of the things we are keen to implement so we just have to build combinations and keep improving.”

Both sides went into the match after hefty first round defeats, adding extra pressure to this afternoon’s clash.

The Blues took some time to find their feet in the first half but by the break they had scored five tries and bagged a bonus point to lead 33-12.

Flanker Peyton Yakas, promoted from division two rugby last season, enjoyed himself, being on hand to finish a couple of close-range tries, while promising halfback Logan Philip bagged another and winger Clyde Paewai also picked up a brace, one a timely interception.

Leo Marfell, who looked comfortable in the 10 jersey, converted four of the tries on his way to a personal haul of 16 points.

Kahurangi came out strongly after the break, scoring a converted try to narrow the deficit to 14, but Central pushed the margin beyond two converted tries with a Marfell penalty. Talismanic hooker Quentin MacDonald marked his arrival off the bench with a trademark lineout drive touchdown, helping the Blues’ scrum take control late in the piece.

However, Kahurangi were not done and showed their grit with back-to-back tries to earn a well-deserved bonus point, before Marfell booted his second penalty to wrap up a satisfying afternoon for the home side.

Although Central’s pack came out on top of the forward battle, MacDonald had special praise for flankers Jack Kelly and Yakas whose work rate was impressive.

Out wider he mentioned midfielder Ben Filipo and Marfell, who usually wears the 15 jersey, for their contributions.

Next week there are no Tasman Trophy matches. They resume on Friday, April 25 when Central host Stoke.

Scorers: Central 46 (Clyde Paewai 2, Peyton Yakas 2, Logan Philip, Quentin MacDonald tries, Leo Marfell 5 con, 2 pen) Kahurangi 29 (Isileli Saumaki, Christian Kelly, Alex Oakden, Bray Taumoefolau, Josh Te Hira tries, Kirisimasi Douglas con 2). HT 33-12.

Meanwhile, for the second week in a row, Marist has posted more than 50 points on the way to another decisive victory.

They won 54-21 at Stoke to open up a big lead on points differential over Waimea Old Boys.

Flankers Teina Thompson and Linton Laiseni stood out in the forwards, while Rylee Samuela impressed on the wing as Marist lifted the John Goodman Challenge Trophy for the first time and retained the Baz Leary Cup.

Waimea Old Boys are also unbeaten after surviving a Nelson scare early in the second half at Trafalgar Park. Despite plenty of turnovers, Nelson stormed to a 35-22 lead but then tired and Waimea ran in four converted tries to win 50-35.