A powerhouse prop whose sporting focus was boxing until last week was a surprise superstar of Wakatipu’s 48-19 White Horse Trophy win over Arrowtown in Queenstown on Saturday.
Alex Epati, a product of Hastings Boys’ High School, where he played in the First XV, moved to Queenstown four years ago but decided to give rugby a break. He concentrated on boxing instead.
That all changed when Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera found himself desperately short of front-rowers just two games into this season.
Epati was invited along to training last Thursday, made an instant impact — not surprising, given his powerful physique — and took the field on Saturday wearing the No 3 jersey.
For someone who has not played rugby for four years, his impact was astonishing.
After Arrowtown had startled the locals with an early try, Epati powered across for a five-pointer five minutes later for a 7-5 advantage. Wakatipu would never relinquish the lead.
Arrowtown hung in at 33-19 into the second half, but ultimately it was Wakatipu’s speed and inventiveness out wide, where winger James Natapu and fullback Conner Hamlin blitzed their opponents, that ran Arrowtown ragged.
Hamlin finished with three tries, giving him six for the season already, two of those tries being created by Natapu.
Up front, captain/flanker Tom Ria, lock Toby Higgins and No 8 Bradley Cross contributed plenty while flanker Matthew Marley, lock Charlie Campbell and replacement Nemo Gent were standouts for Arrowtown.
Alexandra turned on the horsepower in the second half to swamp Maniototo 50-22 at Molyneux Park, finishing with eight tries.
Captain Tyler Ford again influenced the outcome for Alexandra. With his team ahead just 14-10 approaching halftime, Ford pulled off an intercept try.
Some subtle substitutes worked for Alexandra after halftime and they powered away to hit the half-century mark, a rare achievement.
Victory came at a cost though, with replacement winger Taine Sinclair dislocating his shoulder.
Alexandra have the bye the week after Easter before tackling competition front-runners Upper Clutha in Wanaka on May 3.
Cromwell supporters finally had something to smile about after three losses, with their team beating Matakanui Combined 38-22 at Anderson Park.
However, while Cromwell won the first half 33-3, a resurgent Matakanui team claimed the second 22-5, claiming a bonus point in the process, their first of the season.
The stars for Cromwell were three-quarters Kali Rata, who scored three tries, and Naki Saumaki. Unfortunately, prop Tyson Clark suffered a broken arm.
After four rounds, three teams — Upper Clutha, Wakatipu and Alexandra — are equal in the lead with 15 points each.
— Bob Howitt
