Coach Kahu Tamatea is expecting a “high-tempo” game.
“It should be a big battle up front for our boys but they’ll be up for the challenge,” he said.
“It’s always tough playing the Waikohu whānau . . . mate against mate, cuzzie against cuzzie.”
YMP started the season strongly with a 59-3 defeat of HSOB in the Tiny White Opening Day two weeks ago and Tamatea said his team were excited to get back on the paddock.
“Having no game last weekend, it’s almost like the start of the season again.
“For us, we just need to keep building week to week. This game will show us where we are at.”
Waikohu also began their season with a victory, narrowly beating hosts Ngatapa 24-19 in a tough battle at Paddy’s Park.
Waikohu stalwart and hooker Geoff Pari said YMP clashes were “an awesome occasion” and the team were determined to rise to the occasion tomorrow.
“We always look forward to the challenge that this game brings.”
Discipline will be key for OBM against HSOB in a match in which the Peter Martin Cup will be at stake,
Coach Dillon Dolman-Tuhou said from watching a replay of their season-opening 45-17 win against Pirates, it was evident they gave away “way too many penalties”.
“Hopefully we have drummed that into the boys — to keep our discipline.
“We got rolled a couple of times (by the ref) — 10 metres, then another 10 metres. Hopefully we can knock that on the head and we should be good to go.
“And our captain is the only one to talk to the referee,” he added.
Dolman-Tuhou said that after watching the replay of the YMP v HSOB game, a plan was formulated.
“The main thing for us is hopefully our fitness catches them out at the end of the day. We are going to run a game according to that from what we watched and hopefully we’ll come up trumps.”
HSOB coach Wayne Ensor said his club had a good relationship with OBM but “there’s no love lost on the field”.
“Traditionally we have been enemies on the field and friends off it. We support each other’s clubrooms and we try to do the bigger picture for rugby,” Ensor said.
“We love playing them and it’s always a good test.”
The experienced Ensor said coaching club rugby was probably one of the hardest jobs in the sport.
“From our perspective, we are battling. We were wondering where we were going to get 15 from, let alone a squad of 22.
“But with the numbers we have had in the couple of weeks since the YMP game — and we knew after that game we were going to have a couple of guys coming back — we’re now in OK shape.”
That was in evidence last night with a good turnout.
Pirates coach Anthony Kiwara said the OBM clash showed areas of the game they needed to clean up.
“Our main focus is to ensure our tackles are kept low,” Kiwara said.
“High tackles were a big factor in our last game — also offside. Those were our main work-ons at training this week.”
Ngatapa went close to successfully defending their patch against Waikohu before going down 24-19.
Coach Kohi Waihi said they were keen on playing a certain brand of rugby and intended to stick to that.
“We want to continue to have an open type of rugby and play for the full 80 minutes,” Waihi said.
“I think that that’s really important for us given what we know about our opposition.
“Every game’s going to be aggressive — it’s rugby.”
Their free-running game plan, however, will rely heavily on a simple factor . . . ball in hand.
“We want to maintain a high level of possession and get confidence in our ability to finish. But these things will take patience.”
Pirates: Toshio Paongo, Moui Paongo, Harmony Hauraki/Jessie Sweeney, Patriah Kaliopasi (c), Netani Seruwaqa, Viliami Mosaati, Paula Tatafu, Siope Piukana, Fereti Paulo, Shaun Smith/Andrew Tau, Siope Fakahokotau, Viane Tuala, Suliano Rausavanua, Akuila Ganitoga, Mosese Bulicakau.
Reserves: Joe Keiaho, Hauraki Sweeney, Teni Fangataa, Smith Tau, Foueti Vailea, Kulisitofa Tatafu, Suliano Kurusiga.
Ngatapa: Ben Johnson, Rawiri Hoerara, Jacob Storey, Knox Ranatiu, Dan Law, Jack Twigley, Ethan Angitoa, Angus Chapman, Archie Harding, Ricardo Patricio, Guy Johnson, Reuben Papuni, Nashwen Moutou, Mainaia Ngata, Kailata Tupa.
Reserves: Tane Ruru, Ihaia Kerr, Campbell Chrisp, James Law, Khian Westrupp, Benito Barry, Fillmore Drua.
HSOB: Rupeni Seruitakana, Jody Tuhaka, Salesi Niuvao, Nelson Moran, Fletcher Scammell (c), Marshall Jones, Keegan Jooste, Tamanui Hill, George Halley, Korey Love, Ulaiasi Seru, Cory Reihana, Rylan Tuwairua-Brown,Tavite Ikavesa, Matthew Proffit.
Reserves: Jacob Hatten, Daniel Hill, Jokatama Qio, Chris Bell, Bryan Howard, Tobia Waqa, Cohen Loffler.
OBM: Lance Dickson, Ngahiwi Manual, Myles Lardelli-Muir, Harawira Kahukura, Jordan Kingi, David Mohi, Keanu Taumata, Rikki Terekia (c), Jordan Christie, Moses Christie, Joe Tikicidre, George Hooper, Mike Fox, Solomoni Rosari, Atunaisa Rokotuiwei.
Reserves: Blake Beard, Gabe Te Kani, Jacob Cook, Pita Vonowale, Te Aho Morice, Puhi Tau, Brayden Grant.
YMP: Hayze Nepia, Shayde Skudder (c), Nehe Papuni, Willis Tamatea, Rocky Monika, Isaiah Leach, Seth Lundon, Stuart Leach, Ra Broughton (vc), Kayleb Te Whare, Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea, Taine Aupouri, Mitchell Purvis, Te Peehi Fairlie, Andrew Tauatevalu.
Reserves: Hohepa Hakopa, Te Irirangi Maxwell, Shyann Wylie, Liam Ngerengere Babbington, Kelvin Smith, Winiata Tarawa, Stephen Blake.
WAIKOHU: TBC
