East Coast conquered, now for the West

Poverty Bay first five-eighth Jake Holmes makes a break against Ngati Porou East Coast. Holmes made an impact when he came on last weekend, and will start the game against West Coast at Rugby Park tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

POVERTY Bay rugby coach Mana Otai does not subscribe to the old adage, “Never change a winning team”.

For tomorrow’s crucial Heartland Championship clash against high-flying West Coast, the former Tongan World Cup coach has made two personnel changes to the side who beat Ngati Porou East Coast 35-15 at Rugby Park last week.

Halfback Mario Counsell starts ahead of Willy Grogan and first five-eighth Jake Holmes gets the nod over Kelvin Smith as the Bay look to build on last week’s bonus-point win.

Holmes, in particular, made a difference when he came on last week. He is growing in confidence with every game, taking on the line. His passing was superb as he spread the ball wide.

“We’re still looking to get our best starting combination and we believe, for this game, this is it,” Otai said.

He is wary of the South Islanders.

“I’ve seen videos of them and they look to be a well-drilled side. They have a good set of forwards with the ageless Corey Flynn (former All Black hooker). They have backs with pace, particularly on the wings and at fullback. They’ve also got a good first-five (Tom Reekie), who is a good manager of games.”

After four games, West Coast are joint second with Wanganui and Horowhenua Kapiti. They are all on 14 points, two behind South Canterbury. West Coast beat Ngati Porou East Coast 32-19 in Ruatoria two weeks ago.

But West Coast coach Sean Cuttance has also made changes from that outing.

Outstanding in pouring rain that day were Reekie and giant locks Isel Lewaqai and Lawrence Babe, who reigned supreme at lineouts.

However, Lewaqai and Babe have failed to make the 22 for tomorrow’s clash. Josh Manning (captain) and Kelly Rasmussen, who both missed the game at Whakarua Park, will start as locks.

“Their forward pack for tomorrow has a lot of changes (four) from the team who beat East Coast, which makes them even stronger,” said Otai, who has added Auckland loan player Alesana Leatio’o.

“We have plenty of height but we felt we neeed a powerful lock and Alesana fits the bill.

“We have to respect West Coast. They beat Horowhenua (who beat the Bay 39-5 here in the opening game), but at the same time we have to focus on what we can do.

“We took a step forward last week. Now we need to build on that.”

Another bonus-point victory to the Bay tomorrow would put them in a position to start challenging for a top-four spot, with three games to play.

Although the Bay are second-bottom, such is the closeness of the competition a Bay win could see them continue their climb up the table. Wairarapa Bush, on seven points, are away to Buller, and King Country (8pts) host Thames Valley (11pts).

The Bay would love a dry track but Otai said, “There’s an old saying in rugby — you can only control the controllable — and we can’t control the weather.”

POVERTY BAY (1-22): Tamanui Hill, Isaia Leach, Sione Ngatu, Jacob Cook, Everard Reid, Willis Tamatea, James Grogan (captain), Siosiua Moala, Mario Counsell, Jake Holmes, Brody Lam, Jesse Fleming, Isaia Vuki, Andrew Tauatavelu, Ethine Reeves. Reserves: Sandy Hohipa-Campbell, Semisi Akana, Alesana Leatio’o, Fawn White, Willy Grogan, Kelvin Smith, Athony Karauria.