SAYNARVAT SRISAWAT ON FIRE FOR OTAHUHU COLLEGE!

Saynarvat Srisawat was born in South Auckland. His father is from Thailand and his mother a refugee who escaped war-torn Laos. Saynarvat in Laos means “to win.” In 2014 Saynarvat has been a winner.

At the recent Otahuhu College sports awards, Saynarvat (Head Boy) won the following prizes: Best senior male in Athletics, R...ugby Sevens player of the year; First XV player of the year, All-round Sportsman of the year and supreme Sportsperson of the year. In 2011 all these accolades were won by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Saynarvat has played rugby since primary school. He has always played in the backs and made a big impression in the 15 jersey this season. 

Otahuhu finished fifth in the fiercely competitive 1A competition, their best finish since making the semi-finals in 1998. 

Otahuhu lost by less than five points to eventual semi-finalists, Auckland Grammar School, St. Peter’s College and Sacred Heart College. In Round seven they stunned St. Kentigern College (26-20). For St. Kent’s it was their first defeat in 35 1A games and an obvious highlight of the season for Saynarvat and Otahuhu.

“We approached the St. Kent’s game like any other.  We stuck to the game plan and got a bit lucky. I scored a try to make it 20-19 and then George (Finau) scored on fulltime. It was special to beat them.”

Otahuhu with a bit of luck could have been in the semi-finals. Of the narrow defeats suffered this season, Saynarvat says the defeat to Auckland Grammar School hurt the most.

“We lost to them (Grammar) by 12-7. They were the team to beat. They went onto to win it. We should have won that game.”

Another match that Otahuhu should have won was their National co-education semi-final against Feilding High School. Otahuhu lost by a point after a nervous and ill-disciplined effort.

In the third placed playoff, St. Kevin’s College from Oamaru suffered the Otahuhu backlash, thrashed by sixty points. Saynarvat scored a try from under his own goalposts in that game.

“If I see a gap I will always have a crack. It doesn't matter where I am on the field as long as I don’t get tackled.”

The instincts to attack from anywhere have been built up over five years. Saynarvat says the First XV had an experienced roster this year.

“Most of us have been together for five years. We are a tight group. We always said that our last year would be our best year.”

Otahuhu has plenty of experience in the coaching department. Leua Tamati who helped Otahuhu capture the 1A title in 1997 is the head coach of both the girls and boys teams. Saynarvat pays tribute to Tamati.

“Mr Tamati puts in a huge effort. It’s not appreciated how much he does. He has a great knowledge of the game.”

Superior knowledge of the game has helped Otahuhu achieve their best ever Sevens result. Otahuhu won the Auckland title and were semi-finalists at the Condor Sevens, losing to eventual championships Rotorua Boys’ High School. 

At the Auckland Sevens, Otahuhu beat St Kentigern College in the semi-finals. Saynarvat and George Finau scored tries again. In the final Saynarvat scored a try as Otahuhu toppled Mount Albert Grammar. Saynarvat concedes, “We didn't expect to win it.”

At the Condor Sevens, Otahuhu won their first two pool games, but had to beat St Kent’s to make the Cup Quarter finals. St Kent’s leaped ahead by two tries, but Otahuhu rallied.

“I scored a try to get us back into it. We could see that St Kent’s were getting frustrated. They made mistakes and we got back on top.”
Saynarvat scored three tries and Otahuhu won 26-17. In the Cup Quarter Final against Francs Douglas, Saynarvat scored twice as Otahuhu won 33-7. Saynarvat collected another double in the 22-14 defeat to Rotorua in the semi-final. Saynarvat laments this was a game that Otahuhu could have won.

“Our defense let us down. We missed some crucial one on one tackles. Rotorua was a good side they had a lot of dangerous runners.” 

Saynarvat was a surprise omission from the tournament team. “I have had a few people tell me that I should have been in the team, but I don’t really mind. I care more about the team.”

Saynarvat holds down two jobs, one in a Manukau retail store and the other for Fonterra. He scored excellence in Level 1 and 2 NCEA. In 2015 he intends to study sport and leisure in either Auckland or Hamilton.