All-star team to rugby regionals

The Hawaii Youth Rugby all-star side will compete in this weekend’s Great Northwest Challenge, a USA Rugby Regional All-Star Tournament hosted by Rugby Oregon in Portland, Ore.

The Hawaii roster is dominated by 16 players from the Kahuku Red Raiders, which won the HYR U-19 state tournament in late May and finished second at the Aloha World 7s U-20 Tournament earlier this month.

Named to the team from Kahuku High are: Kawika Fitzgerald, Antony Jackson, John James Kawaauhau, Ashley Kaka, Herman Kanoa, Jess Kanongataa, Penepala’au Kaonohi and Lopaka Keoho-Lessary. Also, Polikapo Liua, Misifoa Matagi, Joshua Muaina, Douglas Napaa, Ammon Rimallas, Pupi Siilata, Celcius Tarawhiti and Taliauli Vaifoou.

Also selected are Waiakea High’s Pono Auwae-Landford, Kealakupono Fong and Alexander Tacuban; Kealakehe’s Alakai Asing and Haloti Aholelei; Honokaa’s Joshua Perry; Hilo’s James Kekaualua-Tuia’ana; Konawaena’s Torin Tuppein; and Kamakalea Akiona of Kamehameha-Hawaii.

The Hawaii team is coached by Seamus Fitzgerald. Based on the weekend’s performance, USA Rugby will select players for its High School All-American Stars v Stripes Elite Camp next month.

Fujikawa tied for 66th place after a 71

Honolulu’s Tadd Fujikawa shot a 1-over 71 and is tied for 66th place after the first round of the weather-beaten Mimosa Hills Open in Morganton, N.C., on Wednesday.

Five players shot 5-under 65 to tie for first in a first round that was twice suspended by storms for a total of nearly three hours before being completed at 8:35 p.m. Among the leaders is 2007 British Amateur champion and 2012 eGolf Tour leading money-winner Drew Weaver of High Point, N.C., who had nines of 34-31.