80-minute enemies - YMP v OBM

Battle of the nines: YMP halfback Quinnton Pari-Collins (above) has made the No.9 jersey his own since joining the club at the start of the premier rugby competition. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

YMP coach Steve Smith and OBM counterpart Tom Solomon will put friendship on hold for 80 minutes tomorrow when their teams meet in a Poverty Bay premier game at Rugby Park.

“We’ve been friends for a long time and that won’t change, no matter what the result, but we both have a job to do for our respective teams,” said Smith, whose East Coast Farm Vets YMP side are third on the table, two points ahead of Enterprise Cars OBM

With fifth-placed High School Old Boys facing a tough game, away to competition leaders Waikohu at Te Karaka, tomorrow is a great opportunity for YMP and OBM to stretch the gap in the race for the top four.

And with Ngatapa (second) having a bye, YMP could leapfrog the men from Patutahi

“There’s a lot to play for us and OBM, and apart from a couple of guys with the flu — who should be OK — I’ve got a full squad to choose from,” Smith said.

“I’ve got a couple of decisions to make regarding the starting 15, with players who came off the bench last week (in a 25-7 win against HSOB), making an impact.

Quinnton Pari-Collins will definitely start at halfback“But Quinnton Pari-Collins will definitely start at halfback.

“Quinny’s a mate of Te Paenga and Winiata Tarawa (both are wingers) and showed up for training with his mates at the start of the season.

“From the start we could see his potential. He’s got a great pass, runs well and can kick — the three key components of any good halfback. They also dictate the tempo of the game.

“He’s tough and he’s going to need to be tomorrow.

“Willy Grogan (OBM halfback) has more premier experience and he’s the Bay halfback, along with Mario (Counsell, Waikohu). This will be a good test for Quinny.

Smith said loosehead prop Axel Campbell had cemented his starting spot with impressive performances since returning from a two-year absence because of a knee injury.

“Axel is always among the first to training and is thriving in our contact sessions on Tuesdays.

“He’s got a great attitude and is forming a solid front row with Shayde (Skudder, hooker) and Louie (Lewis Fleming, tighthead prop).”

After trailing 22-5 at halftime, OBM lost 22-17 to Ngatapa last week.

The introduction of player-coach Solomon and Poverty Bay lock Juston Allen had a huge impact as OBM kept Ngatapa scoreless in the second 40 while scoring 12 points.

It would have been 19 but for a disallowed try close to the posts.

If Solomon and Allen start tomorrow, it will help OBM in the breakdown — an area in which they were found wanting in the first half against Ngatapa.

In Rocky Monika, Fawn White and Jimmy Wilson or Mekepio Brown, Smith has a loose trio who love to dominate the breakdowns.

Luke Bradley, Eru Wharerau and Willis Tamatea are not far behind while Tamatea causes the opposition problems with his running from broken play.

Brown has the physique and ability to play at a higher level, possibly Mitre 10 Cup, but needs to develop the “mongrel” required to progress.

The easy-going gentle giant off the field could learn a lot from Solomon, a fearsome ball carrier and tackler.

On paper, YMP look to have a stronger and more settled backline, with Brian Whaitiri-White, Reihana Wyllie, Tarawa, Te Peehi Fairlie, Christy Stuart and Jayden Milner all potential match-winners.

OBM skipper and first five-eighth Jake Holmes and centre Scott McKinley were their standout players last week while Solomon’s assistant Keith Henderson came off the bench and scored a try.

Although Solomon is reluctant to have both coaches on the field at the same time, he might be tempted to find a spot for the experienced Henderson in the starting line-up.