Ngatapa rolling out big guns for HSOB

LANCE LEADS THE CHARGE: OBM prop Lance Dickson takes on Ngatapa No.8 Moses Ma’u. Dickson has been in good form in this season’s premier competition, helping his side to second spot after eight games. Picture by Paul Rickard

NGATAPA coach Will Faulks is rolling out the big guns for tomorrow’s premier rugby clash against competition leaders High School Old Boys at Rugby Park at 2.30pm.

Faulks has strengthened his pack with the inclusion of Moses Ma’u and Alex Chrisp.

Both return after injuries, while star midfield back Anthony Karauria, back after a two-week suspension, is named in the reserves.

Ma’u made a huge impact when he came on against OBM last week and will wear the No.8 jersey, with skipper Campbell Chrisp reverting to his usual position at loosehead prop.

Chrisp’s younger brother Alex — who played fewer minutes than Ma’u but was involved in the play that led to Henry Seymour’s match-winning try — replaces blindside flanker Cory McCarthy.

“Anthony was our form player in the backs before taking a knock to the head a few weeks ago; it’s just a matter of trying to fit him back into the backline,” said Faulks, whose side are on a three-game winning streak.

Newcomer Seddon Smith was particularly impressive in the No.12 jersey, while Pete Livingston has done everything that was asked of him since moving from first-five to centre.

“It’s a big game for us,” Faulks said.

“The table would suggest High School Old Boys are the form team but with a break coming up next week, with the Poverty Bay-versus-Coast game, the boys are keen to finish this part of the round with a win.”

Woodbank HSOB will be without front-rower Kolo Fonohema and No.8 Tevita Maka.

At a Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union judicial committee hearing last evening, three players appeared to answer breaches of Law 10.4, concerning dangerous play and misconduct, during last week’s game between HSOB and Pirates.

The decisions were: Kolo Fonohema (HSOB) — two-week suspension; Tevita Maka (HSOB) — one-week suspension; TK Moeke (Pirates) — no further sanction.

“We’re disappointed in our guys getting caught up in the incident,” said assistant coach Ian Loffler, who is in charge of the team tomorrow, with coach Wayne Ensor in Wellington.

“We’re supportive of the judiciary committee; we want our players to concentrate on playing rugby, not get involved in conflicts on the field

“Our focus is on Ngatapa and the guys who are playing.”

Loughler said that apart from Fonohema and Maka, the line-up would be similar to last week.

¦ Enterprise Cars OBM coach Stu Blair has said he is expecting a tough battle when his side head to Te Karaka to play Aon Waikohu.

“We’ll have Murray Hewson (lock/loosie) back but won’t have James Grogan (openside flanker) and Jake Holmes (second five-eighth),” said Blair, whose side lost 26-24 to Ngatapa last week.

Waikohu coach Tahi Hiroki was disappointed with his side’s 30-24 loss to YMP at Rugby Park but said they were determined to bounce back this weekend.

“We looked at a video of last week’s match and the boys were disappointed with certain aspects of our play, particularly our defence, which is normally one of our strengths,” Hiroki said.

“We weren’t coming up fast enough on defence and allowed YMP too much space.”

Waikohu will be boosted by the return of forwards Geoff Pari and Toro Noanoa.

“Both missed last week’s game with leg injuries but I’m confident they’ll be fit to play OBM,” Hiroki said.

“OBM will be hurting after their loss last week and it’ll be a tough battle, but we’re at home and that always seems to lift the boys.

“We dropped out of the top four after last week so this is a good chance to keep the pressure on the top four.”