Playing for pride as Butcher Boys loom

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RUGBY

Unlike lambs to the slaughter, Ngati Porou East Coast will not go down without a fight when they they host Heartland heavyweights Wanganui in Tolaga Bay tomorrow.

Two games out from the Meads Cup (1st to 4th) and Lochore Cup (5th to 8th) playoffs, Wanganui’s “Butcher Boys” are top of the table and a victory tomorrow would secure a home semifinal

Coach Jason Caskey’s men showed their class last week, coming from 14-0 down against Buller to score 45 unanswered points and make it six wins from six matches including a 53-0 whitewash of Poverty Bay in Gisborne in Week 3.

It’s going to take the performance of their season so far if the Sky Blues are to stop Wanganui bettering that tomorrow.

There is nothing wrong with the heart of the Coast players. From 1 to 22, they have put their bodies on the line.

Last week they held Mid Canterbury to 14-7 at halftime before going down 56-7.

Bottom of the championship on one point, it may not seem it but coaches Troy Para and Wayne Ensor have done a good job with limited playing resourses.

Both can be proud of their efforts. The discipline and team spirit has been excellent all season.

In Sam Parkes (halfback), Hone Haerewa (captain and lock-cum-loose forward), Perrin Manuel (tighthead prop), Adaam Ross (lock), Verdon Bartlett (centre), Riki Kernohan (blindside flanker) and Hakarangi Tichborne (prop) until he got injured, they have experienced players who have led by example all season.

Loan player Epeli Otawa (winger) has been the standout attacker.

Pera Bishop (loosehead prop), Wyntah Riki (hooker), Jack Richardson (openside flanker), Morrison Siliko (fullback), Buchanan Maxwell (No.8), Hoani Te Moana ((lock) and Jayden Milner (winger) have all contributed.

While the Coast may not have the depth of the bigger unions, Benny Haerewa, Ngarangi Haerewa, Fabyan Kahaka, Tim Barbarich, Dan Knubley Scott Lasenby and Teina Potae, have worn the jersey with pride.

Expect more of that tomorrow.