“If memory serves me right, HSOB are leading 3-0 and they hold the challenge cup, so there’s plenty of incentive — not that we need any extra going into the last game of the round.
“There will be battles all over the field, starting where it all starts . . . up front.
“They’ve got four rep front-rowers to choose from in Russell Burns, Matekairoa McGuire, Jody Tuhaka and Hikanui Curtis, but our front row of Jamie Barnett, Dayne Williams and Lance Dickson have been playing well.”
Bay captain Hewson and Fletcher Scammell ruled the roost at lineouts against Waikohu last week but OBM will also have Josh Blair and Jacob Cook to come into contention for places in the starting line-up.
Battle between the No.8s The battle that I am looking forward to is between the No.8s — HSOB one-man destroyer Siosiua Moala and his opposite, James Rutene or Efoti Moimoi.
Moala not only gives HSOB go-forward off the back of the scrum, he lifts those around him and eats up big metres.
Rutene may not be as physically intimidating but he won’t take a step back. Working in tandem, he and openside flanker James Grogan form a dynamic duo.
Stu Blair also has the option of starting Moimoi at No.8.
“We’re getting good depth in the forwards,” Hewson said.
“It’s a good headache for Stu to have: who to leave out.
“It’s not just the forwards who have a huge role to play tomorrow; there are match-ups in the backs.
“Manase Tupe is a real strike force on the wing for HSOB. James Warren (midfield back) is one of those silent guys who are often the glue holding teams together, and if they start Scotty (Leighton, former Bay captain and first five-eighth), they’ve got someone who can dictate a game.
“But we’ve got some good young players coming through — including Hori Franklin, Jake Holmes, Puhi Puhi Tau and Scotty McKinley — who are up for the challenge.”
Ensor said his 22-man squad would be similar to the one who came from 18-16 down to beat Ngatapa 30-18 last week.
“The boys have worked hard for the past month so we eased up a bit in training this week, but that doesn’t mean we’re taking OBM lightly,” Ensor said.
“It was more about freshening them up for what we know will be a tough game.
“We’re approaching it full-on. We want to end the round on a high note but I don’t think there’s too much between the teams . . . we’re pretty even really.
“It’ll come down to who turns up on the day and who wants it more.”
