David and Goliath: NPEC on mission to end Sth Canterbury streak

Tough game ahead: Ngāti Porou East Coast first five Carlos Kemp making contact with the Whanganui defence in their 34-18 Week 3 loss of the Heartland Championship. The Coast are up against the first-placed South Canterbury in Geraldine on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

As David faced the great Philistine, the Kaupoi will front up to the most fearsome opponent imaginable tomorrow.

In place of Goliath, Ngāti Porou East Coast (NPEC) are to face Meads Cup holders and competition leaders South Canterbury from 2.30pm at Raukapuka Reserve in Geraldine.

The 18th clash between the Sky Blues and the Green and Blacks has the seventh-placed Coast hoping to upset a side who have won 14 of the 17 matches played between these unions since 1986.

South Canterbury, who won nine from nine in 2021, have extended their unbeaten streak to 21 with eight-from-eight record in 2022.

South Canterbury have held the Allan “Smiley” Haua Memorial Trophy — named in honour of the Vietnam veteran, Timaru Boys' High School teacher, coach and stalwart of South Canterbury and Māori rugby, who was born and raised on the East Coast — since its presentation in 2013.

Opposition head coach Nigel Walsh is in no doubt about the secret of the Southerners' success.

“We're having fun and ticking boxes,” he said. “Our boys are great guys on and off the field. Their families are on board and a big part of what we do. We've a strong club competition and depth in terms of numbers.

“Our seniors, unbeaten A squad and unbeaten Colts side, they each have 23 players training on Tuesday and Thursday nights.”

Second-year Heartland head coach Walsh acknowledged and admires the sacrifice and commitment of players and teams at amateur level.

“The Coast were tough up front in my playing days, especially in Ruatoria and Tolaga Bay, and humble people. We're expecting a hell of a battle tomorrow. They're physical and will want to make a statement.”

The Sky Blues have won four from seven this season and will end the season as holders of the Bill Osborne Taonga after beating Poverty Bay 12-10 in Week 4 and the Arthur Wickes Memorial Trophy with their 29-27 defeat of West Coast at Ruatoria.

NPEC are coming off a 20-16 win at home against 11th-placed Wairarapa Bush.

South Canterbury put away Mid-Canterbury 36-13 last weekend.

Their two loan players — competition leading point-scorer and first-five Sam Briggs (86 points) and centre Zac McKay — have been in excellent form, as has No.8 Siu Kakala, who scored his sixth try of the season against Mid-Canterbury on Saturday

Left-wing Kalavini Leatigaga will earn his 50th cap tomorrow

The hosts will rest their regular captain and centurion openside flanker Nick Strachan.

The home team and the Kaupoi will need to show resilience at Raukapuka Reserve, as it has snowed at Geraldine for three days straight.

The players will note the closeness of the spectators to the playing area and the endurance of those involved in the “Golden Oldies” tournament which will precede the main game.

NPEC captain halfback Sam Parkes will need a big game tomorrow as he and the Coast's match-winning goal-kicker and first five Carlos Kemp will be targeted by the Southerners' loose trio.

At time of writing, NPEC head coach Hosea Gear is looking to No's 9, 10, scrum-anchor Perrin Manuel, utility forward Jorian Tangaere and another back-rower in Richard Green to set the right tone for the match defensively.

The referee for tomorrow is marketing and communications manager Michael Winter (Waikato) in his 59th first-class appointment.

The referee for tomorrow's game, the Kaupoi v the green and blacks, is marketing and communications manager Michael Winter (Waikato), 34, an old boy of Hamilton's Fraser High School in his 59th first-class appointment. His assistant referees, both of South Canterbury, are (AR1) ex-Waimate HS and Waimate club fullback/first-five now Glenavy farm manager Jackson Henshaw, 35, who has controlled 13 first-class games as an official since 2020 - as with Winter, he is a member of the NZ High Performance Squad - and (AR2) Matt Gollins, an old boy of Timaru BHS who since February 4, 2019, has been the principal of Barton Rural School 6km west of Timaru, roll 165 (having taught in Australia, London, China and Vietnam).

Ngati Porou East Coast Kaupoi: Hakarangi Tichborne (Waiapu), Joe Royal (Ponsonby, Counties-Manukau - Loan Player), Perrin Manuel (Waiapu), Richard Green (Waiapu), Khian Westrupp (Uawa), Jorian Tangaere (Uawa), William Bolingford (Waiapu), Morgan Poi (Waiapu), Sam Parkes (c, Uawa), Carlos Kemp (Uawa), Verdon Bartlett (TVC), Joe Wadman (Northcote, North Harbour - Loan Player), Te Manu Herewini (TVC), Junior Time-Taotua (Northern United, Wellington - LP), Verdon Bartlett (TVC), Tutere Waenga (TVC). R: Jody Tuhaka (Waiapu), Semisi Akana (Uawa), Hoani Te Moana (TVC), Rafael Tuhura (Hikurangi), Jack Richardson (Ruatoria City), Josh Dearden (Uawa), Tipene Meihana (Napier Pirates, Hawke's Bay - Player of Origin), Mohi Bartlett (Uawa).

South Canterbury: Graison Dale (Celtic), Connor Anderson (Celtic), Garrett Casey (Celtic), Anthony Amato (Waimate), Henry Bryce (Waimate), Loni Toumohuni (Waimate), Cam Russell (co-captain, MacKenzie), Siu Kakala (Harlequins), Willie Wright (co-captain, Celtic), Sam Briggs (Nelson Marist, Tasman - Loan Player), Kalavini Leatigaga (Temuka), Zac Saunders (Celtic), Zac McKay (Christchurch, Canterbury - Loan Player), Lisate Folau (Harlequins), Liueli Simote (Temuka). R: Melvin (Belfast, Canterbury - Player of origin), Keagan Gray (Pleasant Point), Tokomaata Fatakava (Waimate), Etienne Van Zyl (Temuka), Tangi Savelio (Temuka), Theo Davidson (Waimate), Tomasi Bikaca (Celtic), Miles Medlicott (Waimate).