“We expect a physical approach from City up front, so we need our own set-piece to work and maintain our structure,” said Mato. “That means direct carries from our forwards and our backs using the width of the field in front of a crowd — possibly — of 300-plus.
The TVC boys would like to congratulate our TVC women in the Ngati Porou East Coast team — (loosehead prop) Amelia Vaka, (hooker) Kathleen Parekura, vice-captain (tighthead prop) Zoey Henderson, (No.8) Ario Rewi, captain (halfback) Shirley Mato, (left-wing) Hera Waititi, (second-five) Tawa Ngatai, (right-wing) Aputehira Shelford, (fullback) Nikau Teddy, Kelly Brock, Vair Jackson, Awatea Broederlow, Te Ara Hunt, Betty-June Waititi-McClutchie, Ripia Teddy and Krimson Moko.
“They and their teammates have worked really hard for years to get where they are.”
The NPEC ladies’ five-game season kicks off tomorrow against Tasman in Nelson.
City skipper and Mato’s opposing fetcher Jack Richardson said: “We’re feeling good about this weekend. It’s exciting stuff, finals footy. I hope we go there with a team attitude.
“Belief is all we need.”
Uawa captain lock Scott Lasenby said — with feeling of The Awa’s upcoming clash with Tokararangi — that he thought it would be an up-tempo game, very physical and exceedingly close.
Tokararangi’s Israel Brown has shown himself to be a crafty and astute player-coach who also has a high regard for team and club loyalty.
In the lead-up to this weekend, he said: “I’d like to thank Huriana Ngatai, Tuhiwai McClutchie, David McClutchie, Harawira Kahukura, Boxer Shaw, Hori Shaw, Phoenix Te Aotaki-Brown, Kauri Waitoa, Karaitiana Kenworthy, Moana-Jay Kenworthy, Sandy Hohipa-Campbell — and anyone else I haven’t named. Those guys, the entire squad, helped to us get to this point.”
His captain openside flanker Hone Haerewa understands the elevative — and destructive — nature of pressure.
“Finals rugby is the reason you train so hard, because it’s pretty special. It’s nothing new to us, but anything could happen on the day so we’re preparing as well as we can.”
The whistle-blowers for tomorrow’s games are Eru Kawhia (whose assistant referees for TVC v Ruatoria City at Cape Runaway are (AR1) Matt Richards, (AR2) LeRoy Kururangi) and Troy Para. David Newton will serve as AR1 at Te Araroa Domain, with Melvin Ashford as AR2.
