Eastern Bay keen to beat Heartland team

KEEPING THE BALL ALIVE: Hone Haerewa, playing for Ngati Porou East Coast, gets a pass away in the tackle of Poverty Bay winger Andrew Tauatevalu during last year’s Queen’s Birthday clash at Tolaga Bay. On Saturday, Haerewa scored two tries for Tokararangi in their win against Tokomaru Bay United. File picture by Paul Rickard

Ngati Porou East Coast coaches Troy Para and Wayne Ensor had hoped to field a full-strength team against Eastern Bay of Plenty at George Nepia Memorial Park, Rangitukia, tomorrow.

“Unfortunately several of the boys, including our captain Hone Haerewa, have had bad news and will be attending a tangi,” Para said.

“Some others have work commitments.

“Most of those missing will be in the forwards but we will have close to a full-strength backline.

“It’s an important game for us with our first Heartland game (against King Country in Te Kuiti) next week.

“We played Thames Valley last week and, even though we lost (59-14), we saw some good things, considering we were trialling some new guys.

“We’re also the holders of the Basil Simpson Memorial Cup, which we’d like to keep”

Last week, Para and Ensor gave Jack Richardson his first game in a Sky Blue jersey, and the Ruatoria City openside flanker did not disappoint.

“Jack played really well, as did our props Perrin Manuel and Hakarangi Tichborne and a young fullback from the Ponsonby club, Morris Siliko.

“He’s a slightly built 21-year-old but he is in the mould of Kris Palmer (who is living and playing in Australia) — quick and fearless.”

Para said that while Eastern Bay of Plenty were not a Heartland side, they were a strong sub-union, with players from Whakatane and Opotiki.

When Ngarimu Simpkins was coach of East Coast, when they won the Meads Cup final in 2012 after losing the final in 2011, the Coast didn’t beat Eastern BoP.

“There’s always been a good rivalry between the teams and it’s the chance for them to beat a Heartland team,” Para said.

“We’ll be doing our best to make sure that doesn’t happen, and the Basil Simpson Memorial Cup stays on the Coast.”