Coast: grit, grunt

Key player: Tihirau Victory Club first five-eighth Verdon Bartlett could be a key man in the Ngati Porou East Coast club rugby final against Tokararangi at Te Araroa Domain tomorrow. File picture by Doone Harrison

RUGBY

Glitz and glamour have their place — as do grit and grunt.

Fans of Tokararangi and Tihirau Victory Club should expect far more of the latter combination tomorrow in the final of the Enterprise Cars Ngati Porou East Coast club rugby championship from 2.30pm at Te Araroa Domain.

With TVC having eliminated 2019 champions Uawa 20-10 in the 2 v 3 semifinal at Tolaga Bay last Saturday, and Tokararangi ending Hicks Bay’s season 34-12 in 1 v 4 at the Domain, the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield is certain to have a new home.

The teams have met once before in this shortened season — a 14-13 win to Tokararangi in what was, then as now, a top-of-the-table clash between the sides at Te Kura Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa. Though TVC were as always tidy at home, Hone Haerewa’s visitors performed superbly that day.

Haerewa was greatly impressed by referee Matt Richards in that clash on the first of this month, for his consistency and clarity: Richards and assistant referees Jackson Reuben-Swinton and Eruera Kawhia will control the game tomorrow.

Tokararangi and 2019 Ngati Porou East Coast captain Haerewa strained his right hamstring last weekend and will come off the reserves bench in Coast club rugby’s showpiece. The hamstrung captain said: “Taking in the hype, it’s a big occasion — with finals, it doesn’t start on Saturday, it starts on the Monday leading in. There are congratulations and messages, so players just take it all on board and enjoy the moment.

“On Saturday, we flick the switch and get ready for battle.”

Unbeaten Tokararangi, with six wins, will be hard to tip at home but if anyone can, TVC has the second-best numbers going with five from six.

TVC captain and openside flanker Moana Mato, who led TVC to their first title in 2017, spoke for the team who lost last year’s final 24-23 to Uawa at Uawa Domain.

“We’ve prepared well. There are some niggles — there always are — but we’ll see how everyone pulls up on Saturday. It’s the last dance and we’re ready to go.”

“They’re closely related. Tokararangi will be especially good at home. TVC, though, will have high expectations. Really, it’s anyone’s game.”

— Joe McClutchie, Waiapu

“It’s going to be fast — both sides have good backlines. It could be TVC — I’ve got ties to them, they might give it a nudge. That said, Tokararangi will be hard up front.”

— Aaron King, Hicks Bay

“I think Tokararangi will keep their unbeaten record: their outside backs are that good . . . 25-10 to Toka.”

— Kuru Gray, Tokomaru Bay United

Jody Tuhaka, Tina Waitoa, Chris Bristowe, Hori Katipa, Kyah Hollis, Alec Poi, Taylor Hovell, Sonny Campbell, Te Aho Haenga, Rapata Haerewa, Kereama Leach, Mohi Bartlett, Whakarae Henare, Hirau Grant, Pamona Samupo. R: Frank Henderson, Kiwa Haig, Boss Blackbee, Hone Haerewa (c), 19-22 TBC

Rika Mato, Tuterangi Te Moana, Clendon Wikaire, Kawana Waititi, Manaia Nyman, Hamiora Ngatoro, Moana Mato (c), Hoani Te Moana, Keegan Rowley, Verdon Bartlett, Taleq Simeon, Tawhao Stewart, Tutere Waenga, Benny Haerewa, Ngarangi Haerewa. R: Hubert Matchitt, Hirini Delamere, Solomon Vaka/Whetu Haerewa, Kuhukuhu Haweti, Peti Delamere, Ben Houia, Ron-Paul McRoberts.