Hikurangi set for big effort

CAPTAIN’S RUN: Tokararangi captain and No.8 Hone Haerewa makes a run against Uawa in last season’s East Coast club rugby final. Haerewa says his side need their young backline to step up against TVC at Te Araroa tomorrow. File picture by Paul Rickard

They’re two big names in East Coast club rugby.

The late Kath McLean and Jury Harrison, revered stalwarts of the game on the Coast, lent their names to the first and second-round memorial trophies. Uawa won the Kath McLean last Saturday; tomorrow the quest begins for the Jury Harrison.

Uawa have the bye.

Hikurangi may have had to hand over the Kath McLean trophy but they won’t give up the Jury Harrison trophy without a fight.

They won the first-round derby against Ruatoria City 34-19 on May 30. The following week, Hikurangi scored 10 tries (score 68-12) in a powerful showing against Tokomaru Bay United at Hatea-a-rangi.

Now is the time for “The Maunga” — having lost three and drawn one — to get back to winning ways.

City are always good to watch whatever the result. Fullback Quentin Takarangi scored a brilliant hat-trick in the 46-28 loss to Tihirau Victory Club in Week 4.

Hikurangi coach Doone Harrison’s assistant, Monty Manuel, said they were looking forward to the game.

“A few of our experienced players — some in key positions — are carrying injuries, so we’ll need older guys and our youth to fill those roles,” Manuel said.

It’s difficult as opposed to undoable.

“The key to Hicks Bay is their halfback Tyrone Delamere — we’ve got to try to upset his game,” said Tokomaru Bay United co-coach Darryl Goldsmith of his crew’s home game against the former competition leaders.

“For us it’s a two- or three-year plan. Every club has players who have to travel significant distances, but we want more input from Coast-based players.

“We want to nurture our young players properly, not throw them in the deep end.”

Goldsmith and Kuru Gray, who took training last night, are just two of the people working hard behind the scenes on behalf of Coast rugby.

Player numbers and distance to train and play are ongoing issues for many clubs in New Zealand but some, such as United and Hicks Bay, field good teams regardless.

Before Week 7, Hicks Bay had won five games in a row, and they will be up to perform well, after TVC beat them 29-19 with a clinical display last weekend.

Everything TVC did that day was done with a purpose.

If United are to hand Hicks Bay their second straight loss, they will need to scrummage well and do as good a job as Mo Mato and Verdon Bartlett did for TVC in terms of directing play and controlling field position.

Tokararangi captain and No.8 Hone Haerewa’s tightly bonded side host Tihirau Victory Club at Te Araroa Domain tomorrow.

Tokararangi have now had a week to digest and enjoy their remarkable 27-26 come-from-behind triumph at home against Hikurangi.

“The boys had a light run on Tuesday but brought last Saturday’s intensity to Thursday’s training,” Haerewa said.

“We really need our young backline to step up.”