Lasenby’s crew must be authoritative at the breakdown to retain their own ball, yet also be disciplined in that facet of play. Six weeks into the competition, the skipper knows that even his unbeaten team can’t afford to be a man down against TVC.
The game will be controlled by Poverty Bay’s Damien Macpherson, a referee who runs a tight ship while at the same time allowing good rugby to flow.
TVC player-coach and hooker Whetu Haerewa knows that as visitors his team will need to be at their best.
“It’s a big challenge for us. Uawa up front have a mix of youth and experience, and they’re enjoying their rugby.”
Uawa No.8 Harley Phillips — who made his Senior 1 debut as a 15-year-old at centre against Poverty Bay club Whatatutu — is one of the strongest carriers of the ball on the Coast. And to end Uawa’s winning streak at five games in a row, TVC need to do more than just meet Phillips and company on the gain-line. They have to knock the biggest runners in the competition back.
Ruatoria City playing quality rugbyLast week, they defied the odds — they were sensational. But Ruatoria City’s 49-31 win against Tokomaru Bay United at Whakarua Park did more than merely prove that they could win one game in 2018. It proved that the team who lost the 2 v 3 semifinal 25-20 a year ago to the eventual champions are now playing quality rugby.
Big No.8 Paddy Allen will lead City, who hit the opposition hard last week.
But City coach Lisa Muller will need 15 — as opposed to 14 and 13 — players on the pitch for 80 minutes to upset third-placed Tokararangi in Te Araroa.
“We need to address our penalty-count,” she said.
“Tokararangi are a well-oiled machine: strong up front, with speed and vision in the backs. We’ll have to pull together.”
Tokararangi provided Uawa with their sternest test to date in Week 5. Although they lost 14-7, the Israel Brown-led team kept Uawa scoreless in the second half. Uawa had won their three games before that 64-8, 46-6 and and 17-15.
Tokararangi will need to keep an eye on City’s flying right wing Quentin Takarangi — who scored two tries in the win at Whakarua Park last Saturday — while City have to keep close tabs on black-and-red fullback Teina Potae, the home team’s only try-scorer against Uawa. He and Takarangi are promising backs and could be match-winners.
Te Aho Morice loving his first season of club rugbyIt’s not impossible, but for fifth-placed Hicks Bay to beat the competition’s No.2 team, Hikurangi, they will have to play superbly.
Ever since Uawa’s Richard Tuhaka scored against “the Mountain” to snatch victory in Week 3, Hikurangi have doubled their output. They have hit the ground running in every game — a fact not lost on the young.
Eighteen-year-old fullback Te Aho Morice — Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 fullback in 2017 — is playing his first club season. And he is loving it.
“It’s something very special to be a part of; the bond is something like no other — family,” said Morice, cousin to captain and No.8 Tanetoa Parata.
“I’ve looked up to these guys since I was young and to play with Tanetoa is awesome. He’s inspirational. Under him, we know when to switch on.”
Hikurangi’s 32-18 win against TVC last Saturday was a strong performance, and Morice’s excellent goal-kicking (one penalty goal, two conversions) was an important element. He and halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown have both thrived in their first season for the Mountain.
Ratahi-Brown said: “I really enjoy the camaraderie that comes with playing for Hikurangi. There’s an expectation to perform on and off the field — I’m learning a lot about the game and myself as a player because of it.”
Hicks Bay have played some good rugby in 2018. To prevail at Wharekahika this weekend, they will need to keep clear heads and stay focused. They should expect a physical approach from the visitors.
But East Coast club rugby may have no more wiser heads and down-to-earth leaders than Hicks Bay captain and No.8 Frank Taiapa and player-coach Warren Henderson. Their experience and organisational ability must stack up against tough opponents.
'These are hard men. Very determined'Bottom teams Tokomaru Bay United and Waiapu will spare no effort in a bid to improve their standing on the table.
“We play to win every game; the effort’s always there,” United captain and tighthead prop Adam Williams said.
“These are hard men. Very determined.”
The same is true of Waiapu, who have let every team they’ve met to date know that they have indomitable team spirit, best expressed in hard tackles and straight running.
Waiapu captain and tighthead prop Frank Manuel has again done this season what he’s always been respected for — he’s scrummaged well, been a factor around the park and led his team by example.
Waiapu backs Grayson Mauheni, Slade Tiopira and Pakanga Te Whitu have the ability to test the competition’s strongest defences.
Tiopira’s darting runs kept Uawa on their toes in Game 1, and United will no doubt expect him to ask the question of them.
United’s Seb Chambers at second five-eighth is a very good goal-kicker.
A win this weekend would be a rich prize for either team: United have won one game this season, Waiapu have yet to push their opposition on the scoreboard.
This 7 v 8 game will not lack passion. There will be no shortage of effort.
The Tokararangi-City game will be refereed by James Palmer; the Hicks Bay-Hikurangi game, by Harawira Matahiki; and the Tokomaru Bay United-Waiapu game, by Whiti Timutimu.
