“That’s far too many penalties to be competitive against the top teams,” he said.
Hikurangi halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown has played with deep bruising to his ribs since Week 2, when he was monstered by United lock Saul Parata.
“It’s only 80 minutes of pain,” he said.
“I don’t let it impact on my game. I’ll do it all again this weekend.”
That sort of toughness and commitment is in the DNA of Coast players.
Waiapu go to Whakarua Park, a ground at which major upsets are folklore, determined to compete.
Combative lock Andrew Kennett and centre Lyndon Green have given their all for Waiapu in three tough outings to date. The 64-7 loss to Uawa first-up didn’t dishearten them; it stiffened their resolve.
Ruatoria City aim to get back to basics against WhangaparaoaSimilarly, Ruatoria City make the trip to Whangaparaoa to face the defending champions as underdogs. But their captain, hooker Tim Barbarich, leads a focused team.
“I want us to get the basics right — the forwards to win our own ball at set-piece and provide front-foot ball for our backs. I want the backs to make good decisions.”
Barbarich sees 17-year-old centre-cum-wing Quentin Takarangi as a player with a great future, and right-wing Mikaere Murray proved last week that City can score tries.
TVC coach Whetu Haerewa said: “We look forward to playing City because in the past couple of years close games against them have determined who went on to the semifinals, and in East Coast rugby whoever turns up on the day in the right frame of mind stands a chance.”
The last meeting between the teams was the 2 v 3 semifinal at Whangaparaoa last year. City lost that game 25-20, but they go into this weekend’s match cock-a-hoop with the selection of 2017 captain Patrick Allen as a reserve forward in the Hurricanes development team to play Japan A at Levin tonight.
TVC’s job on Saturday will be to stay focused on the building blocks — winning the ball, retaining the ball and using possession.
Tokararangi versus United — it’s not as easy to pick as some might think
Tokararangi versus United — it’s not as easy to pick as some might thinkTokararangi moved up one spot at Hikurangi’s expense in Week 3, having recorded the biggest win of the season to date — 81-0 against Waiapu. They scored 13 tries, with first five-eighth Pamona Samupo, left-wing William Martin and fullback Teina Potae all scoring doubles.
But United at home could be tough, and Tokararangi coach Morgan Wirepa Jr knows it.
“We don’t know the make-up of their team but in the past, they’ve always had a big forward pack,” he said.
“We don’t know what to expect.”
Tokararangi captain and halfback Israel Brown has match-winners out wide but United could be a tough nut to crack in the middle.
United are a tight unit. Coach Mike Tiopira is working with a team who may have hit a speed bump in their 48-0 loss to TVC last week, but the effort is there consistently.
Captain and loosehead prop Adam Williams knows who’s doing what.
“Jake Williams (hooker), Canaan Parata (second-five), Christian Lawton (blindside flanker) — those are just three of the boys, but they’re all working hard,” he said.
“Choco (Tiopira) even puts tea on for us after training. That’s going the extra mile.”
Uawa and Hicks Bay go clash at Tolaga BayUawa fought back from an eight-point halftime deficit to beat Hikurangi by two points last weekend.
That win against famously gritty opposition away from home will ensure Uawa are brimful of enthusiasm when they play Hicks Bay at Tolaga Bay.
“The boys are on a high but now we need to focus,” said captain and lock Scott Lasenby.
“Hicks Bay always give it everything they’ve got. Over the years, I’ve learned never to underestimate them.”
Uawa’s giant pack played the power-game to great effect against Hikurangi last Saturday, but player-coach Warren Henderson is not planning for his outfit to butt heads with the visitors up front, any more than they need to.
“It’s another week, a different challenge,” he said.
“Our old heads know what to expect; for the young guys it’ll be a learning curve. For us, the important things are timing, control, communication . . . teamwork.”
