The runnersups in the 2023 Bunnings Heartland Championship were not a patch on the runnersup in the 2023 Bunnings NPC as Hawke’s Bay scored a point-a-minute in an 80-5 dismissal of Steelform Whanganui in Napier on Saturday.

The Ranfurly Shield was in no danger of leaving McLean Park on the Whanganui bus, as in picture-perfect conditions for running rugby the home side, with a plethora of international talent in their outside backs, were just too rapid in their ability to shift the ball across the park and find openings.

Former Whanganui Collegiate 1st XV first-five Harry Godfrey was the maestro and McLean Park was his orchestra pit, as the Hurricanes player expertly fed his ball-runners into holes near the line for multiple tries, while coolly slotting ten conversions from 12 attempts - nailing his kicks from the sideline even late in the piece as Hawke’s Bay scored three tries inside the final nine minutes.

That brought Whanganui perilously close to the record 86-3 Shield scoreline set against them by Waikato in 2000, and didn’t reflect how they had temporarily halted the tide early in the second half.

Down 45-0 at the break, Whanganui got a temporary lift from some fresh legs as Ethan Robinson and Kahl Elers-Green came on to work a couple of attacking plays down the far touchline - one of them from a chip and re-gather setting up hard working fullback Tyler Rogers-Holden being pulled up inches short from the tryline.

From the insuring ruck, reserve prop Kamipeli Latu created a story for the grandkids when he drove low to score and make it 52-5 in the 60th minute. 

But under a warm sun, with Whanganui being driven backwards behind the advantage line on their rare pod carries and the forwards constantly having to sprint from one touchline to the other to try and reach the breakdowns, fatigue quickly became a factor, while losing flanker Josefa Namosimalua to the sin-bin for a professional foul opened up more space.

Even when Hawke’s Bay left the ball behind, their recovery speed to recollect the spill before Whanganui could even react was the sign of a well-conditioned outfit.

In the air, lock and skipper Tom Parsons and another Collegiate old boy in former Whanganui star Semi Vodosese were dominant, pinching at least three of the visitor’s lineout throws.

Hawke’s Bay unveiled their new international back three in former Australian Sevens rep Ben O’Donnell (Brumbies), Auckland league regular Freedom Vahaakolo (Highlanders) and Welshman Matt Protheroe (Ospreys) and they were devastating in equal measure – Protheroe running 60m in-and-away from the Whanganui cover defence for his second try at the end of the first half.

Of the established Magpies, second-five Danny Toala ran lovely lines off Godfrey and others in the dangerzone to get two tries, while if Whanganui got a lift from their bench then impact player Kere Penetito positively supercharged the hosts with his late double.

For Whanganui, centre Alekesio Vakarorogo broke the gain-line a handful of times, but was swiftly swamped.

“They were very good today, just highlights the gulf between the competitions,” said Whanganui coach Jason Hamlin of the Shield-holders.

“You see the growth in Harry and just what he’s able to do in a professional environment for this length of time.

“We just weren’t able to keep up with the pace. They cut you off at the source, and it’s hard to get going.

“The difference it makes for our defenders to get there. It’s hard to be super critical, they didn’t stop trying.

“It’s hard to see 80 points up there, but you’re still proud of the effort.”

Hamlin will now host a training camp for the coming weekend ahead of Whanganui’s last preseason match on August 10th.

“A few things there we can take out [today] of what we were doing, or not doing.

“We’re not going to encounter anyone like that in Heartland.”

Hawke’s Bay 80 (M Protheroe 2, D Toala 2, K Penetito 2, J Hintz, F Vahaakolo, B O’Donnell, T Farrell, M Manase, S Wye tries; H Godfrey 10 con) bt Whanganui 5 (K Latu try). Halftime: 45-0.
 

By Jared Smith