Wanganui is a side that likes to start strong and Poverty Bay will have to match their energy early if they don’t want a repeat of last year where they had to play from behind after letting in 31 points in the first half.
With all of the key playmakers from 2020 back in the squad this season, Poverty Bay has an opportunity to build on the foundation and produce a high-quality campaign.
They will be looking to their forward pack, with impact players like lock Fletcher Scammell at lineout and No. 8 Morgan Reedy at breakdown, to generate clean ball to their pacemen such as Andrew Tauatevalu, who can inject energy and momentum with line-breaking carries with ease.
With fine weather forecast after a week of rain, the stage is set for an exciting game of fast flowing rugby.
The locals-only approach of recent years has seemingly solidified the group and strengthened their connections on and off the field.
Poverty Bay co-coach Miah Nikora said they had noticed the approach had built a strong culture that pulls the team together.
After reviewing the tape from their encounter with Wanganui last season, he said they had been focusing on firming up their defensive patterns at practice.
Last years’ game exposed the midfield of Poverty Bay, which had been shuffled around at the last minute with availabilities. Nikora said they have identified line speed as a crucial factor in shutting down the Wanganui backline.
He said the lockdown had been beneficial to the team, giving them the chance to iron out niggly injuries. They have a full squad to select from for this weekend’s encounter.
“The spirits are good and the boys are keen to play a game of rugby,” Nikora said.
Poverty Bay will be captained by Kelvin Smith, whose experience at first five-eighth will be critical in establishing strong communication between forwards and backs.
The game kicks off at 2.30pm at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui. A live stream will be broadcast from Wanganui’s Facebook page, starting about 15 minutes before the game.
