Saracens a step up for PB Wekas

Hooker Shayde Skudder is back for Poverty Bay in their pre-season clash with Hawke’s Bay Saracens in Napier tomorrow. He will co-captain the side.Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay continue their Heartland Championship preparation with a hit-out against Hawke’s Bay Saracens in Napier tomorrow.

The Civil Project Solutions Poverty Bay Wekas are looking to build on last weekend’s 61-31 win over Eastern Bay of Plenty in Whakatāne.

They welcome back hooker Shayde Skudder, who will co-captain the team alongside first-five Kelvin Smith.

Head coach Miah Nikora said defence was a focus.

“With James Grogan our defence coach, we are looking to improve our line speed and effectiveness in the tackle (area).”

Nikora said while “content” with their scrum and lineout against EBOP, they were looking to raise their level in the set-pieces.

“We were happy with the phase play and continuity we had on the weekend but there are a few parts of the attack space to improve on.”

Nikoara wants the side to step up another level against opposition they expect to be much stronger. than EBOP.

“Saracens are always tough and good opposition to play  . . . this will give us an exact indication of where we are at. If they were in the Heartland competition, they would probably be nearer the top sides.”

Saracens have had the better of  them in recent games but Poverty Bay beat them last year, “so they will be looking to turn that around this year”, Nikora said.

The annual pre-season fixture has produced see-sawing results in recent years.

In 2017, the Wekas scored late to win 32-31 but the Saracens avenged that emphatically in 2018 with a

62-12 thumping.

Another close battle in 2019 went the way of the Saracens 33-29.

Covid prevented any game in 2020, the Saracens won 33-12 in 2021 and Poverty Bay won 22-17 last year.

The Heartland Championship starts on August 12.

Ngāti Porou East Coast host Eastern Bay of Plenty in Whangaparaoa tomorrow.

Tūranga Tāne side are in Hastings this weekend for Te Tini-a-Māui Māori Tournament on Sunday.

Their first fixture is against Te Matau-a-Māui at 10am followed by Horowhenua -Kāpiti at 11.15am.

Depending on how the teams go, final games are at 2pm or 3pm.

Poverty Bay under-20s face a double-header as they continue their Hurricanes development series in Bulls.

They are up against Horowhenua-Kāpiti at 1pm tomorrow and Wairarapa Bush at 10.30am on Sunday.

Both matches are being played at Bulls Rugby and Sports Club.