Nuhaka will have a battle on their hands with Tapuae

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RUGBY

NUHAKA have set the pace in Poverty Bay rugby’s Senior 1 competition but they might have a battle on their hands against Tapuae in tomorrow’s final.

When the two teams played last month, Roseland Tavern Tapuae came out on top at the Nuhaka Domain 13-11, though the win was forfeited because they fielded players who weren’t on the teamsheet.

The Wairoa area local derby attracted a big crowd and the game was in the balance in the final moments.

Nuhaka coach Rongomai Wairau is expecting another “hard slog” tomorrow to determine the winner of the Lew Patterson Cup.

“I know it’s not going to be easy,” he said.

His side would be “soldiering on” for the full 80 minutes.

Tapuae coach Frank King said Nuhaka weren’t at full strength last time and were a well-balanced team who would be a challenge to overcome.

The battle between the forward packs could prove decisive.

“Whoever does the business up front should come out on top,” King said.

The final will be on neutral territory — Rugby Park in Gisborne, from 1pm.

In last week’s semifinals, Nuhaka defeated Ngatapa 46-14 and Tapuae beat Waikohu 28-13.

Wairau said his team, the No.1 qualifiers, started slowly against Ngatapa but ended up running away with the game after finding their rhythm.

The semifinal win had given Nuhaka confidence and they were “raring to go” for tomorrow.

Wairau said winning the Lew Patterson Cup would cap off a good season.

King said Waikohu tested Tapuae with a good, physical game last week.

“Waikohu took it to us. They were right in the game until the last 10 minutes.”

Tapuae had a good build-up to the final, he said.

“Our boys have come a long way since the start of the season.”