High stakes derby at Rugby Park

SPOILS OF VICTORY: Two players expected to play prominent role are powerhouse Bay No.8 Siosiua Moala (centre, this picture) and explosive Coast midfield back Sailosi Vatubua (below). Pictures by Paul Rickard

POVERTY Bay and Ngati Porou East Coast are bottom of the 12-team Heartland Championship, both on no points, heading into tomorrow’s week 4 game at Rugby Park.

A bonus-point win, however, would revive their Lochore Cup (fifth to eighth) and possibly Meads Cup (top four) playoffs hopes.

“Both teams are desperate for points and we certainly haven’t given up on a top-four finish,” said LeaderBrand Poverty Bay coach Mana Otai, whose side’s remaining four opponents after tomorrow are West Coast (home), North Otago (away), King Country (h) and Thames Valley (a).

A win to the Coast, who have a tougher run-in to their campaign with games against Horowhenua Kapiti (a), Buller (h), North Otago (a) and South Canterbury (h) would break a 29-game losing run in the competition.

“Our focus has to be on East Coast and nothing else,” Otai said. “With five games to playI believe we have the potential to be successful. But it’s all about tomorrow’s match.

“My focus is on individual performances, players doing their core roles, which then contributes to a team performance.

“I don’t look at it as a must-win game. If we do that, we can get carried away with the emotion of the occasion. “If we focus on performances, we’re more likely to get the outcome we want.”

The Bay’s chances of victory have risen with the news that last year’s Poverty Bay player of the year No.8 Siosuia Moala (neck) and fullback Ethine Reeves (shoulder) have recovered from the injuries that forced them out of last week’s 25-14 loss to Wanganui.

Both are potential match-winners — Moala with his explosive running and Reeves with his silky skills that can open defences.

With Moala at the back of the scrum, skipper James Grogan returns to openside flanker and Fawn White drops to the bench.

Hooker Matekairoa McGuire’s season ended last week when he broke the fibula in his right leg.

Otai has brought in Isaia Leach (player of origin, Tasman).

Hard-working Jacob Cook returns to the starting line-up at lock for the injured Leslie Hills (knee).

Otai says if his side are to win they need to nullify the opposition and capitalise on their own opportunities — 12 points went begging though four missed penalties last week.

“That’s part of the kickers’, who are playing well otherwise, core roles.

Coast coaches Troy Para and Wayne Ensor are not settling for an end to that 29-match losing run.

“Our goal is to win three games this season,” Para said.“It will be harder with only five games left, but we have improved in different areas each week and team morale is high.”

“The boys have been working hard to address areas of our game and we accept the reality that we have a young squad with only six players with two or more years of Heartland experience.

“The only way Wayne and I can build experience is to play these guys and look to develop them.

“The aim must be to keep as many of them together for as long as possible to build a wider player base of Heartland competitive players.

“Several of the curent players have the potential to clock up 50 games or more for NPEC if they remain in the area.

“Both teams are desperate for a win and will be looking for improved performances in front of what should be a large and parochial crowd.”

POVERTY BAY

1-15: Tamanui Hill, Isaia Leach, Sione Ngatu, Jacob Cook, Everard Reid, Willis Tamatea, James Grogan (c), Siosiua Moala, Willy Grogan, Kelvin Smith, Andrew Tauatevalu, Jesse Fleming, Isaia Vuki, Brody Lam, Ethine Reeves.

Reserves: Sandy Hohipa-Campbell, Semisi Akana, Mekepio Brown, Fawn White, Mario Counsell, Jake Holmes, Anthony Karauia.

EAST COAST

1-15: Morgan Poi, Kareti Palmer, Pera Bishop, Manaia Nyman, Callen Whaitiri-White, Hone Haerewa, Trent Profitt, Paddy Allen (c), Ryan Buchanan, Verdon Bartlett, Jayden Milner, Sailosi Vatubua, Te Peehi Fairlie, Te Wehi Wright, Kris Palmer.

Reserves: Daniel Knubley, Laman Davies, Mike Chambers, Rhys Walker, Tim Barbarich, Charlie Harrison, Kahu Ward.