Hikurangi —“the Maunga (mountain)? — are co-coached by Doone Harrison and another of the club’s best competitors in Monty Manuel.
Harrison, scored a try in the 80th-minute from fullback to seal the deal against Uawa six years ago so he knows what it takes to win big games, especially at home.
The game is likely to be a forward-oriented battle and experience could be a telling factor:
The competition’s most dangerous fullback, Kris Palmer, proved in last Saturday’s 20-17 semifinal win over Uawa that he has matured as a player who can take what few opportunities there may be.
NPEC centurion and former representative captain Charlie Harrison, on the reserves bench, is a crafty halfback and a very tough tackler.
TVC have stickability and their play is enhanced by the captaincy of Moana Mato, the hallmark of whose leadership is calmness.
That attribute was to the fore in week 10 when TVC came from 0-24 down to beat Tokomaru Bay United at Hatea-a-Rangi.
TVC’s ability to dig deep is set to be tested again and coach Whetu Haerewa’s men know to a certainty that if they fall 24 points behind tomorrow, there will be no fairytale comeback.
What they will need to be competitive is to trust in their routine while being especially conscious of two things —the need to start well at set piece and for the forwards to have total involvement.
Blindside flanker Hoani Te Moana — TVC’s player of the day and a try-scorer in their 25-20 semifinal win against Ruatoria City — must lift for the occasion again, with openside Manaia Nyman and big No.8 Soloman Vaka playing vital roles.
Energy is one thing, but heart is another and while they are mindful and respectful of history, the visitors are also capable of applying pressure on their opponents.
Halfback Tevita Ahoafi is a key player. He can run, snipes dangerously around the fringes and knows where the tryline is halfback who scored the opening try at.
He kicked a drop goal in the semi, and the ability to do that is valuable.
In terms of size, Hikurangi had all they could handle up front against Uawa but will go the distance if required.
Hikurangi, who have won seven titles in the last 13 years — and 10 of their 11 games at home in 2017 — go into the final as favourites.
The defending champions have scored 632 points in 17 games, at an average of 37 points to 11, and have lost only two games this season.
“We’re staying calm. We’ve done the hard yards, we’re ready,” said Hikurangi captain Te Rangi Matanuku Parata.
“Training has been full-on this week because we’ve been trying to simulate game-day. We have to fire because TVC present a formidable challenge.”
Parata recognises that TVC travelled well in round 2 of the club competition, were strong up front and that Verdon Bartlett would control the game for the visitors from fullback.
The skipper is also well aware of the excitement building in Ruatoria. Young and old will gather with high expectations
TVC go in with a record of 13 wins, three losses and a draw. They have scored 444 points for an conceded 221 — an average of 26 points to 13.
“We’re relaxed. It’s just another game to us. That’s the sort of mentality we have to have,” said TVC captain Moana Mato, who led them to their first final in 2012 — a 15-18 loss to Waiapu at Te Kura o Maori o Whangaparaoa 15-18.
“The club and the community is very excited. A lot of elderly people are coming to the game, in some cases from Omaio, and we’ve received best wishes from lots of dyed-in-the-wool Coasties, especially our nearest neighbours Hicks Bay and Tokararangi.
“Go out and have fun is the message we’ve taken from all sides. It’s been an honour to lead these guys during the last five years. To win it would be an exceptional achievement for the players, club and community.”
Mato knows that doing the basics well is vital and that playing the game at Hikurangi’s end of the park is key to victory.
The sides have met twice this season and both games were narrow wins to Hikurangi.
Hikurangi have come out on the right side of three-point games four times this season showing that when the result hangs in the balance, the Mountain tend to come through.
Mato’s men, however, will believe they are good enough to win tomorrow and should they achieve that, the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield would not only be in good hands but would be treasured in the competition’s farthest reaches.
