South Aukland Kiwis 20 Llanelli Warriors 26 (match 101)

The final match and having won two there was enough pressure without it being also dubbed 'The test match'. A great day and so good to see people the other side of the world doing the same things. The Warriors were very impressed by the Kiwis who had less 'able bodied' players and almost sneaked a win when the Warriors relaxed. A large crowd and tv coverage also added to the occasion and the Warriors were overjoyed at coming through their New Zealand tour unbeaten.

The Black clad South Auckland Kiwis await their Welsh rivals
Here come our brave heroes
ready to face the haka
The kiwis' haka
an early line out
chasing through
close up of Jumpin' and Lulu
feeding back to Shed
Blacks ball
Rich Hapus on the wing
Black attack
all over the teams congratulate each other
shattered
the Warriors clap of the kiwi side
well earned rest for the photos
note Richard and Andrew still limping
Auckland Marist Clubhouse: scene of the Warriors greatest triumph since Waunarlywdd?
made to sing again
The kiwis give a song or two

all photos courtesy of Rob Holmes of Betws RFC who had come along with Steve Big, Emyr Tim, Big Jim and Cellan to support the Warriors.

report as it appeared in the Llanelli Star

South Auckland Kiwis 20 Llanelli Warriors 26

Having won their two matches some sides might have been tempted to relax. However having been told all tour that this was ‘the test match’ there was no chance of the Warriors doing that. The match was a rare meeting between integrated sides and the home team, having registered wins against a Japanese and Australian team were full of confidence. With the only representative side from Wales to have triumphed in New Zealand being a Scott Quinnell inspired Schools side the size of the task was obvious. The stacks were further raised when the Kiwis, dressed in all black performed a haka to the red clad Warriors.
Darren Davies was handed his first start on tour and Alun Stephens moved to the back row with the Warriors’ kiwis preferring to start on the bench. The large Kiwi side a strong Polynesian influence dominated early possession and pounded the Warriors defence. Tackling had to be of the highest order and there were a number of early injuries for the Warriors to contend with as the going got extremely tough. The Warriors tactics of kicking, to break the game down to a free flowing pattern which suited them
The Warriors were forced to run from anywhere and the 1st score came against the run of play. Alun Stephens thumped the ball up field, Gwilym Lewis re gathered and sent Lee Rowlands in for the games opening score. A second followed soon after, a sweeping move made enough room for Rob Roberts, back in his more accustomed role of full back to cross in the corner. After this the Warriors grew in confidence and they were able to dictate much of play. However a shrewd move from the front of the lineout made enough room for the scrum half to scamper through a gap and score from the half way line. Half time arrived with the Warriors hanging on to a 12-5 advantage.
Welsh voices from both Ponyates and Betws struggled to be heard among the partisan home crowd which included two film crews but the Llanelli team gave them plenty to cheer. Despite having been enjoying the full delights of touring for two weeks the Warriors looked the fitter side after the break and were able to dominate the 3rd quarter of the match. Lee Rowlands ran in a second score, Jon Kerr was able to capitalise on good approach work from Alun Stephens and also added another conversion.
The final stages of the match however, saw a strong comeback by the Kiwis. Snatching possession back from a restart they rumbled up to and over the Warriors line. The score galvanised the team and at times it looked like they had more like 20 players on the field. The Warriors however continued to be hit by injuries and were forced to empty the bench as they struggled to maintain their grip on the game. The Kiwis, with their tails up redoubled their efforts and scored two more quick tries. It was backs to the wall time for the Welsh team with Dai Newson and Richard Evans putting in some brave defence. This allowed the Warriors time to gather themselves and they slowed the match down to regain their own momentum. Ian Marshall was worked over for a try which finally ended New Zealand resistance and a Welsh win was secured when Tony Whittaker slotted the conversion.
The mutual respect from the sides was very evident after the game with the Warriors gaining many plaudits for their rugby. The tour was a magnificent way for No 8 Dai Newson to end his career. Fired up on the field and emotional afterwards he rolled back the years to produce a man of the match display the equal of any in his 9 years at the club, during which time he did not miss a game.
The club could not have foreseen the wonderful success this tour was both off and on the field. The conducted themselves immaculately and gathered praise from many quarters doing themselves and Llanelli proud.
Warriors XV: Rob Roberts, Richard Evans (Reke Sak), Lee Rowlands (Rhys Sak), Andrew John (Ian Marshall), Tony Whittaker, Dean Gilasbey, Gary James, Darren Davies (Colin Talcon), Jason Jenkins, Dai Edwards (Captain) (Bernard Gittings), John Horwood, Jon Kerr, Alun Stephens, Dai Newson, Gwilym Lewis