TVC captain and second five-eighth Moana Mato said: “We expect a good hard-running structured game — we want to run hard and defend well. We’re feeling good and building, but for now will continue to take each week as it comes.”
Hikurangi are in fourth spot and the Maunga under pressure have always been dangerous.
Hikurangi coach Doone Harrison’s men have Hicks Bay tomorrow and Tokararangi — both home games — to finish the round-robin.
Yet while many were surprised by Hicks Bay’s magic run of form in the first round with five wins to start the season, Harrison had an idea that Hicks Bay might be more dangerous than given credit for.
“They had good numbers this year, plus the King brothers,” Harrison said.
“Uawa and TVC have been strong for the past four years, but I thought Hicks Bay might go well. For us, it’ll be a hard game: they don’t get any easier for us.”
Hikurangi hooker Ngarimu Parata is a man playing well at the moment and Hikurangi’s desire to play their best rugby in potentially their last two games of the season at Kahuitara — the club’s home ground reinstated — is a motivating factor that brings with it pressure.
The likes of Aomuri Parata and Putahi Morice (the former from the back, the latter from the front) can help bear the load with solid performances.
Tokararangi have City in their sights.
The home team’s captain, Hone Haerewa, is under no illusions.
“We need to take this game out with the full five points to give ourselves the best chance of making the semifinals,” he said.
“The big emphasis must be on defence, as we’ve shown that we can score points, but we’re also letting in a few.” Tokararangi have conceded almost 37 points a game.
City, whose first-round win against United and bonus-point loss to them last Saturday speaks to the effort of both clubs, have tomorrow’s game as their last hurrah in 2019. City lost their first game this season 34-19 to Hikurangi at Whakarua Park — a great effort in retrospect.
They lost 75-15 to Uawa in the defending champions’ first run of the season, off an opening-day bye. Uawa were always going to hit that game like a tank.
City need to tackle hard tomorrow.
In terms of what happens up front, men willing to and capable of playing in whichever forward berth is lacking — such as Tim Barbarich and Pera Bishop — have fronted up to Uawa, TVC and all of the other big guns.
Last weekend, City’s backs showed creativity and flair. Fullback Nathaniel Fox at fullback was excellent value.
