“The forwards have picked up new lineout moves and the backs new moves out wide.”
Leading them is inspirational blindside flanker Hone Haerewa, a talented player Ensor says is “our best player because he works hard”.
While it has been wet in Buller, Ensor expects the Victoria Square ground to have drained well by tomorrow.
The Coast have won 20 of their 28 games played against Buller. However, the last two meetings between the sides have gone Buller’s way — 54-17 in Ruatoria in 2017 and 54-22 in Westport in 2016.
NPEC last took the honours (their only triumph in the Heartland era) in a 20-18 nail-biter at Westport in 2012 — the Coast going on to win the Meads Cup and Buller the Lochore Cup.
Haerewa’s immediate concern is the nowHaerewa’s immediate concern is the now.
“We’re well-rested after a couple of good pre-season games,” he said. “We prepared well during the week and are looking forward to being on the paddock.
“We’re ready for battle.”
The Coast’s player of origin Perrin Manuel, who led them in 2017, is their scrum anchor at tighthead prop.
The Coast could have one of best Heartland packs this season. Adam Ross is a mighty figure in the second-row, tough fetcher Trent Proffit and formidable No.8 and former Taranaki captain Mitchell Crosswell are all vital to the cause.
Loosehead prop Hakarangi Tichborne, hooker Wyntah Riki and lock Scott Lasenby will toil all day to lay a platform.
In the backs, halfback Hamuera Baker has thrived in the pre-season games.
Loan players Sailosi Vatubua (left winger) and former All Black Zac Guildford (centre) bring experience, timing, power and speed to the Coast’s enterprise.
First-five Sam Parkes, inside centre Tawhao Stewart, 18-year-old right winger William Martin and fullback Zane King could have fun on the run this year.
Buller’s regular captain Andrew Stephens, a veteran of 118 games but out of tomorrow’s clash after suffering a concussion, is wary of the visitors.
'. . . Coast will be hard to stop'“I’m expecting the Coast to try to unsettle us. If they get their tails up, get on a roll, they’ll be hard to stop. We have new combinations so it might take the boys a bit of time to gel, but hopefully our fitness levels get us through.”
Nine members of the Buller squad were in the side who comfortably beat the Coast in 2017.
Buller powerhouse Iliesa Ravudra scored twice at left-wing in that meeting and is playing at centre this time.
The dangerous Kahu Parata, to start at No.6 for the hosts, came off the bench to score in 2017.
James Lash will get his 43rd cap in the No.9 jersey, rather than No.10, in the absence of Stephens.
Lash converted seven of their eight tries in 2017 so the Coast cannot afford transgressions in kickable positions.
Lash and No.8 Daniel Hytongue are on loan from Tasman while Buller’s player of Origin is loose forward Gene Simmiss, who will be on the reserves bench tomorrow.
Samoan international lock Jeff Lepa, ex-Tasman Mako Robbie Malneek and the hard-hitting Hytongue are tough customers.
Buller head coach Gus Martyn said they were looking forward to locking horns with the likes of Guildford and Crosswell.
“There’s excitement around Mitch and Zac coming here. We’re expecting a torrid encounter. And with centurions (Andrew Beveridge, Logan (Mundy) and even a double-centurion (Luke Brownlee) having moved on in the last couple of years, young guys here are keen to stick their hands up.”
Coverage of the game will be live on Westport’s Coast FM from 2.30pm.
NGATI POROU EAST COAST: Hakarangi Tichborne, Wyntah Riki, Perrin Manuel (Player of Origin), Scott Lasenby, Adaam Ross, Hone Haerewa (captain), Trent Proffit, Mitchell Crosswell, Hamuera Baker, Sam Parkes, Sailosi Vatubua (Loan Player), Tawhao Stewart, Zac Guildford (LP), William Martin, Zane King. Reserves: Pera Bishop, Laman Davies, Sese Tohi, Jack Richardson, Chris Richardson, Billy Manuel, Verdon Bartlett.
