Coast duo would love chance to ‘grow’ team

ONE FOR THE SCRAPBOOK: Ngati Porou East Coast halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown scores a try against Buller. Ratahi-Brown and his teammates play North Otago in Oamaru tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

WITH two games to play in the Heartland Championship, Ngati Porou East Coast coaches Troy Para and Wayne Ensor’s chances of getting their first win since teaming up last year are almost certainly nil.

The Coast play North Otago — who are still in contention for a place in the top four, in Oamaru — tomorrow and end the season against competition leaders South Canterbury in Ruatoria.

Are the pair feelinging any pressure regarding being reappointed?

“The pressure, if any that Wayne and I feel, is all internal,” Para said.

“No doubt there will be rumblings of discontent as we have not achieved anywhere near the results we or anyone else expected.

“However we have selected the players who were available and those we considered deserving from our club competition.

“We’re pleased with a number of aspects with our squad, fitness, commitment and enthusiasm.

“Unfortunately the analogy of men playing boys is correct. Two thirds of our squad are either first or second-year Heartland players.

“Our average caps per player — excluding Charlie Harrison, 111 and Verdon Bartlett 58 — is 10.7 which I suggest may be one of the lowest in the Heartland competition.

“However we can’t fault the squad for their commitment to the team. Trainings have been well attended and the boys are giving their best, which has translated to improvements from last year but not a win, which at the end of the day, is the desired result.

Para said every Heartland organisation had the option to either grow a team or buy a team.

“Wayne and I have chosen the former, as we believe the latter would have dire consequences on our local club competition. Realistically with so many inexperienced squad members this team is two to three years away from realising its potential.

“Wayne and I have invested in the future by selecting young players who we believe will serve the Coast for years to come and some have already shown they can foot it at this level — Jayden Milner, Manaia Nyman, Callen Whaitiri-White, Moana Nuku and Te Peehi Fairlie.

“The only way these guys can improve is by continually playing at this level and us identifying what they do well and where they can improve.

Para said he and Ensor were focussed on completing this season and doing their best to win a game which has been one of our goals for the year.

“It’s a tough end to the season, North Otago and South Canterbury but we know the boys are up fo it.

“As for next year, we’d love the opportunity to come back next year and be involved with growing the team as we have seen some real improvements in our players attitudes to training, fitness and behaviour.”

NPEC (1-22): Laman Davies, Perrin Manuel, Michael Chambers, Manaia Nyman, Rhys Walker, Kareti Palmer, Paddy Allen, Parekura Lalaga, Neihana Ratahi-Brown, Verdon Bartlett, Jayden Milner, Sailosi Vatubua, Te Peehi Fairlie, Epeli Lotawa, Kris Palmer. Reserves: Moana Nuku, Daniel Knubley, Tim Barbarich, Richard GreenCharlie Harrison, Kahu Ward, Fabyan Kahaki