Rugby: Baywide rivals to meet on Saturday

IN CONTROL: No 8 Ajay Mua, right, was one of the young talented players in action for Tauranga Sports in last week's win over Te Puke Sports. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

It is not too often you will find Tauranga Sports and Whakarewarewa sitting tied for fourth on the Baywide Premier table.

Only three rounds have been played, so there is ample time for the Baywide heavyweights to make up ground, but it is still refreshing to see Rangataua Sports, Paroa and Te Puna in the top three.

No doubt Tauranga and Whakarewarewa will be desperate to change that scenario when they clash in the match of the round at Tauranga Domain on Saturday.

Both teams had close wins over quality opposition last week to lead nicely into what is always an eagerly anticipated clash between the clubs.

Tauranga defeated Te Puke Sports 28-20 in Te Puke while Whakarewarewa edged out Mount Maunganui Sports 28-22 in Rotorua.

There will be a few grizzly old veterans on show, particularly in both packs, as well as some of the brighter sparks in the Bay of Plenty Academy system to keep an eye on.

Tauranga Sports coach Zane Winslade said last week was a good result "because we showed some real guts and determination to grind out that result against a quality side".

"We improved in a lot of the areas we wanted to, but it's also pretty visible that we have some important parts of our game to work on.

"Whakarewarewa are going to be a big test, and those are the games we love to play, so we're looking forward to this weekend."

At this early stage of the season, Winslade is most pleased with the work ethic of his team.

"If all 22 players are fully committed to emptying the tank this weekend then I am sure we'll meet our performance goals."

Whakarewarewa coach Joe Savage said discipline would be a focus for his team.

"We will implement a similar game plan to last week, but we will be focusing more on our discipline, especially off our defensive line," Savage said.

"We had a bit of trouble there on the weekend with people and their interpretation of the law and what the referee deemed suitable.

"Set play and set phases for us will be another focus, especially in the forwards. We didn't always have it go our way in the weekend but when it did things seemed to happen for us."

Savage is under no illusions as to how strong Tauranga are.

"Tauranga Sports have always had a strong defensive structure and don't seem to have a weakness there. We will be looking to use our strengths, with a good attacking backline but being able to maintain our discipline and structure in the close channels initially."

Baywide Premier and Premier Development Draw:
Premier kickoff: 2.45pm, Premier Development 1pm

Whakatane Marist v Te Puke Sports at Rugby Park
Paroa v Rangataua at Lawson Park
Tauranga Sports v Whakarewarewa at Tauranga Domain
Greerton Marist v Te Puna at Greerton Park
Mount Maunganui Sports v Rotoiti at Blake Park
Poroporo v Arataki at Poroporo Park

Baywide Division 1:
Kickoff: 2.45pm

Te Teko v Papamoa at Dunderdale Park
Marist St Michael's v Ngongotaha at Marist Park
Ruatoki v Opotiki at Tuhoe Park
Kahukura v Rangiuru at Kuirau Park
Waimana v Waikite at Waimana Domain
Judea v Katikati at Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park