Heartland leaders Old Golds a huge challenge for Kaupoi

“The last of the East Coast Cowboys” . . . John Manuel on his Ngāti Porou East Coast-decorated horse Tore. John was an iconic figure on the Coast and a life member of the East Coast rugby union. Picture by Paul Rickard

A second straight Heartland Championship win for Ngāti Porou East Coast Kaupoi at Ruatōria would  be huge and it could happen.

A week after their  19-8 home victory against Mid Canterbury, Enterprise Cars Ngāti Porou East Coast have it in them to produce another big result at home.

The Kaupoi play North Otago “Old Golds” tomorrow, kick-off 2pm.

NPEC have won eight of 33 games since 1986 against one of the South Island’s great teams.

The Old Golds sit atop the 12-team table in the Heartland Championship, placed above South Canterbury on points differential, with a two-from-two record and the maximum 10 competition points.

The Kaupoi are sixth, just behind Poverty Bay on differential, on six points from one win and a loss from which they banked two points.

The Sky Blues’ most famous encounter with North Otago was a 35-21 win in defence of the national provincial third division championship in Oamaru in 2000 yet their last meeting in 2021 was of similar significance.  The Old Golds at home beat a resurgent Kaupoi 39-31 in the season-opener. It was an incredible effort from the Coast, who were able to hold only one full squad run a week . . . the night before each game.

NPEC captain and halfback Sam Parkes has his eye fixed on a complete performance tomorrow from forwards and backs, while needing to know where North Otago first-five and New Zealand sevens star Vilimoni Koroi is at all times.

“North Otago are playing well, so we’re fully aware that this will be a tough game — that nothing will come easy,” said Parkes. “The boys are feeling good, but on edge.”

Coast head coach Kahu Tamatea said it would be a battle up front.

“They have a big pack — strong ball carriers — so we need to hunt as a pack.”

Tamatea’s opposite, Jason Forrest, is a knowledgeable operator under no illusions about the scale of their challenge.

“This weekend we play a bloody good East Coast side who are very hard to beat at home and we know that we’ll need to be very good to get the result we’re after. It’s an exciting challenge ahead with the new squad that we have this year, and to be able to bring them to an amazing part of New Zealand.”

North Otago began their campaign with a 43-24 road win over Mid Canterbury and are coming off a 50-3 mulching of Wairarapa Bush in Oamuru but they know the Sky Blues will be competitive — particularly with the Bill Osborne Taonga on the line for the second weekend running.

The man with the whistle at Ruatoria in his seventh first-class appointment will be popular Englishman Andy Morton, 32, a physical education teacher at Tauranga Boys’ College.

His assistant referees, both local, will be Jackson Reuben-Swinton and former Hikurangi club head coach Matt Richards.

ENTERPRISE CARS NGATI POROU EAST COAST KAUPOI, 1-23: Hakarangi Tichborne, Joseph Royal, Perrin Manuel, Rico Te Kani, Richard Green, Hoani Te Moana, Will Bolingford, Mitchell Crosswell, Sam Parkes (c), Terangi Fraser, Kris Palmer, Tavita Nabura, Apirana Pewhairangi, BJ Sidney, Josh Dearden. Res: Jorian Tangaere, Manahi Brooking, Jayden Leiua-Pukia, Gabe Te Kani, Jack Richardson, Te Aho Haenga, Verdon Bartlett, Taane Paki.

NORTH OTAGO OLD GOLDS: Kelepi Funaki, Jake Greenslade, Meli Kolinasau, Josh Clark, Rory Bartle (c), Taylor Dale, Matt Duff (vc), Junior Fakatoufifita, Matatini Feki, Vilimoni Koroi, Mone Samate, Aleki Morris-Lome, Jesse Bowring (vc), Qsea Qamasea, Lucas Ollion. R: Lenny Varu, Sione Takala, Josefa Veiogo, Ratu Logavatu, Samu Babiau, Tyron Davies, Maria Qiolevu, Inoke Naufahau.