‘Clean bill of health’ for Bay after victory

PATCH ME UP: Poverty Bay physiotherapist Grace MacDonald attends to No.8 Ken Houkamau, who took a knock to the head against Wairarapa Bush. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

POVERTY Bay came through Saturday’s opening Heartland Championship win against Wairarapa Bush with a clean bill of health.

Bay No.8 Ken Houkamau sat in the dressing room after the match with an ice pack on the lump on his head, while the rest of the squad reported “bumps and bruises”.

“Ken’s OK; he’s been in and been cleared,” said physiotherapist Grace MacDonald, who has replaced Michael Evans, who is not available this season.

The no-injuries report is good news for Bay coach Mana Otai ahead of Saturday’s match against South Canterbury at Timaru.

But the former Tongan international coach and his assistant, Dwayne Russell, will have to make sure their players do not get carried away with the 27-22 bonus-point win as they prepare to play the South Islanders.

The Bay will take on a side who pushed Meads Cup winners Wanganui all the way before losing 21-10 at the Garden City last weekend.

South Canterbury coach Barry Matthews has strengthened his squad with the addition of a player of origin and six loan players, one of whom is a Canadian international.

Heartland Championship rules allow unions to sign as many loan players as they want, but they can have only three loan players and one player of origin in the match-day 22.

Reegan O’Gorman, who has made four appearances for Canada, is the son of former Canterbury lock Pat O’Gorman.

He did not play against Wanganui, but the 1.98-metre, 120-kilogram lock is expected to be fit to face the Bay.

O’Gorman’s height and weight could cause the Bay problems at lineouts, an area that needs improving if they are to be competitive at this level.

Other South Canterbury loan players include Matt Etheredge (openside flanker), Kalolo Otutaha (tighthead prop), Dan Dorgan (first five-eighth), Pita Anae-Ah Sue (hooker) and Cam Bailey (utility back).

The player of origin is centre Henry Scott.

Dorgan also missed the Wanganui clash after a head clash with a teammate but, like O’Gorman, is likely to be named for Saturday’s clash.

For much of Saturday’s loss to Wanganui, the South Islanders matched their opposition physically and competed well in set pieces, especially lineouts.

Bay loosehead prop Campbell Chris is eight games away from making his 50th appearance for Poverty Bay.

“We all know there’s still work to be done but it was important we got a win first up,” he said.

“We’ve been working on defence and it’s getting better.

“In the squad we’ve got a lot of young guys who have potential and bring a lot of enthusiasm and skill.”

Bay skipper and hooker Tamanui Hill said, “One of our big work-ons is our execution.

“We had a lot of possession but didn’t execute well. We’ll be working on that and other areas this week.

“South Canterbury will be a big test for us.”