Cooper Murdoch has been the butt of jokes in his First XV recently. The Rosmini College blindside flanker had failed to score a try for two years. He was a contender for the dreaded ‘undie run.’
Last night at QBE Stadium, Murdoch became the toast of the Rosmini party.
Just before halftime he drove over for the solitary and match-winning try in the North Harbour 1A final against Westlake Boys’ High School.
Murdoch says he is “elated” to have scored in such an important fixture.
“It was great to score in the final, I was so happy. We had been working on our maul a lot and to pull off a move like that was great,” he says.
Rosmini won 13-12. Last year they lost in extra-time 24-26. Murdoch played in the latter game. He spent the last 15 minutes watching the 2015 decider from the sideline.
“It was hell. I thought he where go again,” concedes Murdoch.
“I had faith in my teammates, but it was hard knowing I couldn’t influence the result.”
The influence of Rosmini’s coaches has been palpable. The side is guided by Mark Free, former All Black Craig Dowd and Mick Anscombe – the uncle of Welsh international and former Rosmini First XV captain Gareth Anscombe.
“Whenever there is an Anscombe in the team we win”, Murdoch laughs.
“In 2009 when we last won the championship Gareth was in the team.”
There is more than just pedigree in the Rosmini coaching cohort. The ability to change the game plan late season was vital as well.
Last night Rosmini won the pick and go count by 66-10 as they grinded out a victory against a side they had lost to twice previously. Murdoch explains the evolution of strategy.
“When we first played Westlake we didn’t really have a game plan. We just backed ourselves to do our own thing and it failed.”
“We decided a few games out from the final we had to start taking teams on up front. It was a massive change for us, but we practiced keeping the ball and stifling the opposition. ”
“At halftime we had 59% of possession, our plan was working. Westlake isn’t used to teams taking them on up front.”
Rosmini’s win prevented Westlake from equalling their record of four consecutive titles.
In 2015 Murdoch plans to play for East Coast Bays and study property at Auckland University.
Did You Know?
Cooper is the brother of Josh Murdoch who scored a last-minute try on the Rugby Channel in 2013 to help Rosmini beat Massey High School, 23-18. Josh plays for East Coast Bays and is studying to become a chiropractor