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Chief’s star player Damian McKenzie may be able to smile for the cameras without stardom going to his head, but it appears as though another McKenzie just kept his head down and followed coach’s orders.
“I told them not to get too carried away with the TV cameras,” Pukekohe High School (PHS) First XV coach, Craig Flanagan says. “The lads were excited, but they had a game to win.”
Led on the field by Jussi McKenzie, the home team secured a 29–25 win against Manurewa High in front of Sky Sport’s cameras after trailing 10–7 at the half.
The Chiefs Top Four qualifying match provided plenty of action for the cameras. The hard-fought contest was nip and tuck all the way, Flanagan confirms.
“It was very physical and Manurewa held the ball for quite a long period, but our guys did an awesome job on defence, which kept us in the game. The lead changed hands three or four times, so it was great to see the guys come through with the points on the board in the end.
“Player of the day was [blindside flank] Ilaisa Nadarivatu, but quite a few had outstanding games including Jussi [McKenzie, number eight] who led from the front as well as our fullback, Connor [Flanagan, Craig’s son].”
The engine room also roared with props Mikaera Kini-Hicks and Jonny Tairakena putting in the hard yards.
First-five Vinny Gibson controlled the game well, second-five Izaiah Sakisi kicked four from five from the tee and winger Turama Mokena was noted for his staunch defence.
The Chiefs Top Four qualifying match was a vital game on the way to the National First XV Championship. Pukekohe High has never won the fiercely contested national competition, but they have won the Counties Manukau Championship, including twice in the last five years, most recently in 2024.
“We’re now set to play Wesley College next month. The winner of that goes through as Counties qualifier,” Flanagan explains. “If we manage that, I think we go up against the winner of the Waikato competition.”
Fending off Manurewa, the school also added yet another notch on the Challenge Shield, which they’ve successfully defended for the past two years.
Having earned a well-deserved bye, the PHS squad will be back on the field this weekend for another round of the Counties Manukau Secondary Schools competition. But it’s tough at the top – with PHS, Manurewa and Rosehill College all close on points – and the season’s not over even if the cameras have stopped rolling.
“They still have a way to go, but they are doing really well,” Flanagan adds. “So, I am hopeful they’ll finish the season on a high.”
