Grunt up front key to grand final victory

ON THE FRONT FOOT: Earthwork Solutions No.8 Siosiua Moala and Aon Waikohu lock Tulsa Kaui (next picture) have been powerhouses for their teams this year. Tomorrow the teams go head-to-head for the third time this season but this time the Lee Bros Shield premier club title is on the line. The grand final opens at 2.30pm and is preceded by the Lew Patterson Cup senior 1 final between YMP Bumbles and Tapuae at 12.30. Pictures by Paul Rickard

FORWARD power looks set to decide the Lee Bros Shield grand final at Rugby Park tomorrow afternoon, with the big guns likely to fire in the High School Old Boys pack.

Based on form leading up to the finale of the Poverty Bay premier club rugby competition, the Earthwork Solutions HSOB eight will be a difficult proposition for grand final debutants Aon Waikohu.

Honours have been shared in their two encounters this year.

Waikohu were too good for HSOB at Te Karaka in round 1, winning 36-18, but HSOB reversed the result in round 2 at the Oval, albeit only 18-16.

Not a lot can be taken from these numbers because it is all about what happens on the day.

But there is no doubt both teams are primed for it and the expression “who wants it most” is irrelevant. Both want it equally.

Waikohu will play for the first time in a Lee Bros Shield final while HSOB are vying to become champions three years running — something they have never achieved in their long and illustrious history.

The blue and whites, after losing two games in round 1, came on strong as they grew their squad, and went through round 2 unbeaten.

Waikohu, after a splendid record of nine consecutive wins, suffered a couple of losses in the latter stages of round 2.

It would seem then that the momentum is with HSOB.

Consistency and growthConsistency and growth are telling factors at the business end of the season in any code.

To hand out the “favourites” tag to HSOB seems reasonable based on recent results and their greater experience.

But then there is the all-important emotional side of the equation and that could be where the Te Karaka boys have an edge.

“Our hearts were for each other” was what one Waikohu player said after last Saturday’s semifinal win over Pirates.

Controlling that emotion will be one of their goals.

No doubt, though, they will have the late great Starr Rutene riding on their shoulders as the club he loved tries to create Poverty Bay rugby history.

The Pirates pack troubled Waikohu last Saturday and HSOB are likely to have the advantage up front tomorrow.

There is no doubt Waikohu have a backline to match it with their opponents.

But that forward edge to HSOB is tough to see past. Led by the awesome Siosiua Moala, they have a solid platform from which to launch.

The great challenge for Waikohu will be fronting up strongly to what the HSOB pack brings.

If they can do that and get a degree of parity in possession, then history will be on the cards.

DisciplineDiscipline will be key for both sides.

If HSOB emulate the ill-discipline and sloppy ruck play of Pirates last weekend, Waikohu points-scoring machine Ethine Reeves will kick them out of the game.

Waikohu will have many new supporters on top of their long-time loyal followers at the park tomorrow, and they deserve to.

They set the bar this season and are to be admired.

HSOB set the standard last season and look what happened.

Enough said.

That's about as close to a prediction this fence-sitting reporter can go.

But one thing is for sure.

It will be a final to remember from two teams well matched across all 30 starting players and on the bench.

Good luck to both.