Manuel back to lead Coast against Buller

FOLLOW THE LEADER: Ngati Porou East Coast skipper Perrin Manuel leads the charge against Poverty Bay. Manuel will be a key man for the Coast against Buller in Ruatoria tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

NGATI Porou East Coast welcome back skipper Perrin Manuel from injury for tomorrow’s Heartland Championship rugby game against Buller at Whakarua Park, Ruatoria.

But such has been the form of Manuel’s replacement, Kareti Palmer, that Palmer will continue to wear the No.2 jersey, with Manuel coming in at loosehead prop.

“Getting Perrin back is a huge boost, not just for the front row but for his play around the paddock,” Coast coach Troy Para said.

“Perrin is very mobile for a front-rower and while Paddy Allen (openside flanker) has done a good job as skipper in his absence, Perrin will lead the side tomorrow.”

Para said a decision on fullback Kris Palmer (knee injury) would be made before kick-off.

“We’ll see how he comes through training before making the call, but he should be OK.”

Buller go into the match joint third with Thames Valley with four wins — against competition leaders South Canterbury, West Coast, Wairarapa Bush and North Otago — and a loss to Thames Valley in Paeroa.

“They’ll be coming here looking for a bonus point; we’re still looking for our first win,” Para said.

“They dealt to us in Westport last year (54-22) and have players who have been with the province for a few years now.

“They’ve got a big pack and slick backs, well marshalled by their halfback Andrew Stephens and first-five James Lash.

“The thing is, you have to go into every game believing you can win. If you came to our training session this week you wouldn’t believe we conceded 50 points last week.The morale is inspiring.

“The way the boys train is encouraging to Wayne (Ensor, co-coach) and me.

“We go into the game believing we can win but knowing that Buller will be hard to knock over.”

While skipper Stephens and Lash are the “stars” of the side, along with speedy winger Illiesa Ravuda and fullback Anthony Tailua, in openside flanker Luke Brownlee, Buller have a player making his 189th first-class appearance for the province.

The 37-year-old first pulled on the jersey in 1999 and has made it his own ever since.

“We can’t compete with that sort of experience but we have players proud to wear the jersey and give their all,” Para said.

NGATI POROU EAST COAST (1-22): Perrin Manuel (captain), Kareti Palmer, Pera Bishop, Manaia Nyman, Rhys Walker, Hone Haerewa, Patrick Allen, Parekura Lalaga, Charlie Harrison, Kahu Ward, Epeli Lotawa, Verdon Bartlett, Sailosi Vatubua, Jayden Milner, Kris Palmer. Reserves: Moana Nuku, Daniel Knubley, Tim Barbarich, Richard Green, Neihana Ratahi-Brown, Keelan Poi, Fabyan Kahaki.