NEW ZEALAND MARIST XV vs ROMANIA XV 2008

11.00am, 6 September 2008 -
Liston Park, Auckland - Home of Auckland Marist!

Results
Romania XV Won
Half time score: 7 all
Full Time Score:
   35 to Romania XV, 7 to NZ Marist

NZ Marist Squad

1. Eugene Gerrard, (Napier Old Boys Marist)
2. Jamie Whitcombe, (Ashburton Celtic)
3. Junior Tere, (Hastings Rugby & Sports)
4. Marcellino Taulano, (Marist Albion, Chch)
5. Josh Goodwin, (Greerton Marist)
6. Russell Green, (Auckland Marist)
7. Damien Albert, (Nth Harbour Marist)
8. Ben Couch, (Masterton Marist)
9. Dave Dillon, (Hamilton Marist)
10. Sililo Sae, (Palmerston North Marist)
11. Joe Maiava, (MSP, Wellington)
12. Aidan McDonald, (Nth Harbour Marist)
13. Reece Poutawera, (MSP, Wellington)
14. Daniel Sinclair, (Tukapa, New Plymouth)
15. Donny Woodhouse, (Nth Harbour Marist)
16. Tekori Luteru, (Ardmore Marist, Counties)
17. Watane Waenga, (Hamilton Marist)
18. John Paul Tocker, (MSP, Wellington)
19. Warren Banks, (Old Boys Marist, Gisbn)
20. Alex Jessop, (Greerton Marist)

Two players selected from the 2008 NZ Marist Colts Touring Squad:

21. George Gray, (Auckland Marist)
22. Eroni Ekevati, (Hutt Old Boys' Marist)


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The team comprised a mix of experienced 'Marist Club Men' and younger players considered to have huge potential while performing at a very high level for their clubs and various representative teams.

Coach: Bernie McCahill, (Auckland Marist)
Coach: Tony Meachen, (MSP, Wellington)
Manager: Liam Halpin, (MSP, Wellington)
NZ Marist Liaison: Gary Walters, (Auckland Marist)


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A closely fought first half gave NZ Marist most of the territorial advantage. Handling errors and a strong Romanian defence prevented them from scoring from a number of opportunities created. The Romanians played as expected - a set piece game with mainly a forward orientated and kicking plan - while NZ Marist played a very fast paced wide ranging game.

In the second half the Romanians changed their game play to align more closely to that of NZ Marist and with their much bigger and athletic individuals, they soon wore down the NZ Marist defence to score four converted tries in the second half.

A number of Romainias contracted players were not released from their clubs in the UK and France, however the touring squad still had vast test experience with 260+ test caps.

NZ Marist Scorers:
Try: Eugene Gerrard
Con: Daniel Sinclair

After the game the NZ Marist honoured six members of their team who have played in excess of 100 Club games for their Premier sides.
They are:
* Daniel Sinclair - Tukapa, New Plymouth
* Damien Albert - North Harbour Marist
* Dave Dillon - Hamilton Marist
* Ben Couch - Masterton Marist
* Reece Poutawera - MSP, Wellington
* Josh Goodwin - Greerton Marist

The Emerging player named by the 100+ Club from above was Marcellino Taulano (Marist Albion, Christchurch) the 23 year old prop.


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NZ Marist Rugby Federation, as Champions of Club Rugby, promote "Grass Roots Rugby"