Repeat of last year's grand final at Blake Park

UNFORGETTABLE: Rangataua players celebrate beating Mount Maunganui to win the Baywide title last year. The rematch is at Blake Park on Saturday. PHOTO FILE

With all the hoopla about the British and Irish Lions starting their tour in Whangarei tomorrow, it could be easy to forget it is also the start of the Baywide Premier 1 championship round.

While Bay of Plenty Steamers mentor Clayton McMillan is away coaching the NZ Provincial Barbarians against the men in blood red jerseys, back home the best players vying for Bay jerseys will go head-to-head around the region.

Mount Maunganui Sports and Rangataua Sports meet in the clash of the round at Blake Park. It is also a rematch of last year's grand final, won by Rangataua - easily the best club rugby final this writer has witnessed.

So lots to look for in tomorrow's clash with two evenly matched teams who had their moments in the opening round without reaching the superb form they displayed at the back end of last season.

Mount Maunganui head coach Rodney Voullaire says he is happy how his team has been building over the last round.

"It's been quite good really, we have just been sliding under the radar which is a great thing. It gives us time to focus on us. We have made the top eight now which was our first goal, so it is now week by week for us," he said.

"Rangataua, last year's finalists and title holders, they are beatable they have shown that but we understand we must respect them as they are a very good team."

Voullaire rates Rangataua's Mitch Karpik and Matt Clutterbuck as the best flankers in the competition.

"It is a key strength of their game, to steal ball and to look after their own ball. For us at the end of the day, we have to look after our own ball. Our ball carries have to be strong with ball in hand and have to fight a bit more and make sure we have numbers around the ball to look after it."

Rangataua coach John O'Loan, in tandem with former Steamers lock John Moore for the first time this season, used the first round to build combinations and create depth throughout the squad.

"Moving into the top eight with a couple of good wins in the last few rounds gives us confidence that we're heading in the right direction," he said.

"Having total buy-in from our fantastic physio and management teams helps us coaches and players concentrate on the 80 minutes. Having everyone on the same page moving forward will go a long way to retaining the title."

O'Loan knows Blake Park is always a tough place to play.

"Mount will keep coming at you in front of their vocal crowd. They have one of the best set pieces in the competition and like to build phases but also have the individuals that will cut you up when you least expect it," he said.

Baywide Premier 1 and Premier 1 Development Draws, tomorrow

Premier kick-off 2.45pm, Development kick-off 1pm
Mount Maunganui Sports v Rangataua Sports at Blake Park
Te Puke Sports v Te Puna at Murray Salt Stadium
Whakarewarewa v Greerton Marist at Puarenga Park
Tauranga Sports v Rotoiti at Tauranga Domain

Baywide Division 1, kick-off 2.45pm
Marist St Michael's v Te Teko at Marist Park
Kahukura v Waimana at Kuirau Park
Ruatoki v Ngongotaha at Tuhoe Park
Rangiuru v Katikati at Centennial Park
Waikite v Opotiki at Bellvue Road
Papamoa v Judea at Gordon Spratt Reserve