WARWICK SMITH/Stuff
Samisoni Tonu, 17, joins other students as they strike for climate change in Te Marae o Hine – The Square yesterday. Banners included: “It s getting hot on here”, “Save our planet” and “We demand climate action”. One of the organisers, Gryffin Powell from Awatapu College, said climate change was important in Aotearoa. He said students’ demands included phasing out the use of fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy and climate education. “We need to protect [the planet] and make sure we let the Government know what are the most important issues,” the 16-year-old said.
WARWICK SMITH/Stuff
Schools strike for increased action on climate change in Te Marae o Hine - The Square on Friday.
Schmeling said the whole squad got some game time, including striker Jono Steele, recovering from injury. Gill, a left back signed from last season’s Horizons Premiership title winners Wanganui City, was man of the match, he added. “He worked hard,” said Schmeling. Massey University also got their league season off to an emphatic start when they took federation titleholders Rangers to the cleaners at New Plymouth to the tune of 3-0. The students’ victory was an echo of what happened at the start of last season when Rangers lost the only home game of their campaign to another Manawatū side, going down against Palmerston North Marist.
There were also yellow cards for Dane Whale (COB), Ben Stephens (COB) and Chase Jordan (Freyberg) for infringing at the breakdown. Freyberg were up for it in parts and put COB under pressure, with standout No 8 Jekope Kitou making big runs up the middle and getting Freys on the front foot. College held the ball for longer periods, taking advantage of any Freyberg mistake, with first five-eighth Stewart Cruden finding gaps. Their scrum was a weapon and won them a penalty try. Loose forwards Jared Goodson, who was a regular lineout target, and Elyjah Crosswell got stuck into everything. Pacey Freyberg wing Varcon King showed a clean pair of heels again and scored two tries, while midfielder Josh Maoate and hard-working openside flanker Michael Halutuituia had strong games.
Veteran Adam Cowan will be a key player again for Palmerston North Marist (file photo).
FOOTBALL: There is a new look to the men’s Federation League club competition this year with Gisborne Thistle taking part, Red Sox-Manawatū dropping out due to a lack of players and Palmerston North Marist going international again. The upshot is once more there is a bye every week in the nine-team league, something they had hoped to avoid this year by keeping Levin in the picture despite the side finishing bottom by a country mile last season. At Marist, Brazilian Juliano Schmeling is at the coaching helm, taking over in February from Belgian Kenny Santy, as the city side has another crack at winning the federation title and with it, the chance to compete for promotion to the Central League.
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