Rugby green alert

HOOKER ON THE LOOSE: Ngatapa hooker Matt Deans has been successfully converted into an openside flanker. He faces a huge test tomorrow against in-form OBM counterpart James Grogan. Picture by Paul Rickard

HIGH-FLYING OBM coach Stu Blair is wary of a fast-improving Ngatapa ahead of tomorrow’s premier club rugby match at Patutahi.

“We always knew they would come right. They’re a good side, we’re expecting a close game,” said Blair whose side go into the match on the back of a 66-38 win against Pirates last week.

“We’re not expecting another score like that. Both sides have got good packs so it’s shaping up as a battle between the forwards.”

Blair welcome backs skipper and lock-cum-loosie Murray Hewson, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury.

“Lyndon Manuel had his first start for us last week at six but picked up an ankle injury. If he’s not fit we could put Josh (Blair) to six and play Muzza (Hewson) at lock. We’ll see.”

Larsawn Ngatapa failed to win a game in round 1, including a 12-6 loss to Enterprise Cars OBM at the Oval. But the Green Machine opened their account in the opening game of round 2 with a 28-8 defeat of Pirates and followed that with a 30-26 win against Waikohu last week.

“We’ve got a few guys sweating on injuries but one guy definitely out is Ihaia Kerr (front-rower). He’s out for at least four weeks with a shoulder injury,” said coach Will Faulks.

“Hopefully all the other guys will be OK. This is a big game for us. A win could open some breathing space between us and Waikohu, if they lose, for fourth.

A lot of confidence“OBM will go into the game with a lot of confidence after scoring a lot of points last week. We’re expecting them to put us under a lot of pressure. Keeping the mistakes to a minimum and maintaining discipline will be crucial.

“We’ve got this game and another next week before we head into the break (Queen’s Birthday Weekend). It would be nice to pick two wins before the break.”

Ngatapa skipper and No.8 Campbell Chrisp and loose forward Paddy Allen have been standout performers in the Ngatapa revival.

Hooker Hamish Forrester, hooker-turned-flanker Matt Deans and locks Grant Law and Semisi Akana have not been far behind.

“Sometimes you need to watch a video of the game to see just how much work Hamish does,” Faulks said.

“Semisi and Grant are two very different locks but they complement each other and combine well. Grant does a lot of work in the tight while Semisi is always full of running.

“Matt has been great for us this season. He had a year off last year with a knee injury. He’s not a big guy but like all good loosies he’s never far from the ball.”

Deans, Allen and Campbell (No.8) will have their work cut out tomorrow.

Blair is spoilt for choice when it comes to naming his loose trio from James Rutene, James Grogan, Hewson, Josh Blair, Manuel and Efoti Moimoi.

Grogan is in the form of his career and his battle with Deans and/or Allen will be a feature of the game.