Para says Ensor, who coaches High School Old Boys in the Poverty Bay premier competition, will have plenty of inside knowledge of the Bay players.
“Wayne’s been watching them all season so it’s got to be an advantage, but we’re more focused on our own team,” Para said. “It’s the old saying — you can’t control what the opposition bring to the game but you can control what your own team do.”
Para and Ensor, who is in his first season in charge of a Heartland Championship team, have included three loan players in the Coast’s starting 15 — loosehead prop George Lelenoa (from Thames Valley), No.8 Parekura Lalaga (Wellington) and first five-eighth Todd Doolan (Waikato).
A testing match“It’s a good chance to have a look at all three in what will be a testing match,” Para said.
Doolan’s Hautapu side are leading the Waikato premier club division.
“Like the other two loan boys, Todd comes highly recommended,” Para said.
Lelenoa was in the Thames Valley squad last season while Lalaga plays for the Northern United club in the capital.
The Coast will be led by halfback Sam Parkes. He takes over the captaincy from Lennon Carrington, who is no longer with the Coast.
The 22-year-old Parkes also has big shoes to fill in replacing Charlie Harrison, who celebrated his 100th appearance in a sky blue jersey in the corresponding fixture last year.
A natural leader“Sam’s a natural leader, who has the respect of all his teammates,” said Para “He’s captain of the Uawa side who are leading the Coast club competition.”
Poverty Bay coach Mutu Ngarimu has opted to field an all-local side.
“We’re trying to build a culture of players who want to play for the jersey, which is why those who fronted up against New Zealand Universities (in Gisborne last month) and have continued to turn up for training are getting another chance,” he said.
“Obviously we’ll strengthen the squad with some loan players but I feel strongly about rewarding local players for this game. That’s not to say we’ won’t be going all out to win. I hated losing as a player and I want players to feel the same way.
“I’m happy with the calibre and the attitude of the players selected for this game,” said Ngarimu. “Some of them are returning from injuries and I believe they can step up. Now it’s up to them to adapt to the higher level of representative rugby.”
Second five Anthony Karauria, who missed the NZ Universities game through injury, is set to make his debut for the Bay.
“Before his injury Anthony was the form midfield and it’s the same with Jacob Cook, who starts at lock. He’s been in good form for OBM,” Ngarimu said.
“But they had better be prepared to face a fired-up Coast side who will throw everything at us from the kick-off. The Coast will play with a lot of heart and emotion. We have to be prepared to match them without getting carried away.”
