It was a tough day for the tacticians all around as Ruapehu first-five George Williams had similar problems during the first half in the rapidly changing weather the home team looking better-oiled when William Short came on at halfback for the second stanza.
But if muddy conditions are a nightmare for playmakers, they are a paradise for front rowers, as Ruapehu props Karl Parker and Kim McNaught were outstanding in their 60 minutes on the field, along with hooker Roman Tutauha who played the full match.
While the wet did not lend itself to spreading the ball, Ruapehu's veterans showed good handling as No8 Andrew Evans and second-five Logan Vaughan were standouts, although the latter had a disappointing end to his day in being selected for the yellow card by referee Gordon Ririnui after team infringement warnings.
The only Kaierau forward able to impose his will on Ruapehu was stalwart No8 Darren Munro, as his determination to bring down their mauls and willingness to always make the first hit ups made him a target for some hard tackles.
"I thought he was the player of the day, even though we were well beaten," said Kaierau coach Keith Savell.
"They just had too much firepower for us."
For Ruapehu coach Chris Winter, it had been a case of his team keeping it simple as circumstances dictated the strongest tight-five would carry the day.
"If it's wet weather, you don't go too far from [that style].
"You've got to have a bit of everything in your arsenal."
Having the forwards in good nick will be crucial this week as Ruapehu travel south to try and reclaim the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield they lost to Harvey Round Motors Ratana in March.
"Down there in the Pa, you're playing all of Ratana, not just their XV," Winter said.
Kaierau opened the scoring with a Collier penalty, before Ruapehu lock Sonny Woodmass dummied straight through the line and showed great pace for a tall man as winger Stu Brosnahan couldn't run him down over 35m.
Nearing halftime, Ruapehu's pack drove Parker over the line but Ririnui missed the grounding and went back for a penalty advantage, so the forwards just repeated the dose for Tutauha to get the try.
In the second stanza, Williams spotted a half gap and slipped his way over under the posts, then fullback Zyon Hekenui finished off an 80m sweep down field by scoring in the corner after superb leadup work by centre Owen King, Short and Evans.
Lock Teira Cowan and Short also scored off their driving pack to complete a good day for the men in the Ruapehu engine room.