Rugby genetics work in NBHS lock's favour
Spectators at last weekend's 1st XV rugby clash between Napier Boys' and Hastings Boys' struggled to comprehend NBHS lock Gus Brown was only a Year 11 student.
With his authority at lineout time and powerful carries during the Sky Blues 15-10 victory Brown, 16, gave the impression he was a second-year player at this level not the first-season rookie he is. But a quick check of his family tree and it's easy to understand why he was so prominent as NBHS captured the Moascar Cup, the Ranfurly Shield of secondary schools rugby, and maintained their unbeaten Super 8 run.
He is a son of former Magpies and Taradale midfield back Hugh Brown and a nephew of former Magpies forwards Greg and Simon Halford.
While happy with his own form and that of his team, Brown, stressed the improvement must continue when NBHS hosts Tauranga Boys College in their first defence of the cup and third round Super 8 match from noon on Saturday.
"I'm looking for more confidence and cohesion with Will [NBHS captain and hooker Robinson] at lineout time. Tauranga Boys have had two Super 8 losses but it is going to be hard game with the cup at stake," Brown explained.
A former Hawke's Bay under-16 and under-14 rep, Brown, had two seasons in the NBHS under-15 side before stepping up to the 1st XV squad. His 2018 under-15 side finished second at their national tournament in Auckland and last year's team finished fourth on home turf.
"It would be pretty special to retain the cup on home turf this weekend," Brown said.
He has an extra incentive to help the hosts deliver the bacon. His father will arrive home from England this weekend and after completing quarantine commitments will be able to watch the back end of the NBHS team's campaign later in the season.
"It will be good to still have the cup when Dad is back in the Bay," Brown said.
Like most 1st XV players Brown has a long-term goal of New Zealand Secondary Schools selection but this season he will be happy with Super 8 glory.
NBHS head coach Brendon Ratcliffe echoed Brown's comments about the respect the Sky Blues have for Saturday's visitors.
"Yes Tauranga might have had two losses but the Moascar Cup is such a sought after trophy which teams get such few opportunities to win any team which plays for it goes up another level."
"We won't have the mindset of defending it. We want to win it again and that's they we will approach the game every time we play for it," Ratcliffe explained.
He pointed out there could be four changes to the squad used in last weekend's win against Hastings. Two will be the result of rotation between 1st and 2nd XVplayers and another two are expected to be forced by injuries.
Winless after two rounds, Hastings Boys' High School, will be treating Saturday's away clash against Gisborne Boys' High School as a must-win one in their quest to reach the semifinals.
The only Central North Island 1st XV clash in the Bay on Saturday will see Lindisfarne College host Feilding High School from 12noon. After their 22-20 win against St John's College last weekend Lindisfarne College have recorded a win and a loss to date.
St John's College, who have posted two losses, have an away assignment against Rathkeale College in Masterton.
