‘Skeleton crew’ City to take the battle to Hikurangi

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

This could be the best day of club rugby the coast has had so far.

And while heavy rain warnings are the reality for tomorrow’s hardy sides and supporters, no true die-hard with an eye on the draw will miss Week 5 of H Blackbee Contractors Ngāti Porou East Coast men’s club rugby.

The reinvested Waima will host defending champions Tihirau Victory Club at Hatea-a-Rangi Memorial Park in Tokomaru Bay (referee Whetu Haerewa), Pango Productions Waiapu are at home — George Nepia Memorial Park in Rangitukia — to Hicks Bay under Joe Coleman; and Ruatoria City will play the derby match (Jackson Reuben-Swinton) with age-old rivals Hikurangi Te Maunga at Whakarua Park.

Tokararangi have a bye in the men’s competition. All three of those games kick off at 2pm.

Round 4 of Enterprise Cars NPEC women’s club rugby has Waima hosting TVC (referee Eruera Kawhia), Waiapu at home to Hicks Bay (TBC) and  City v the Mountain Maidens in Ruatoria (Matt Richards).

The ladies competition kicks off at 11.30am at all venues.

The Lisa Muller-coached Waima men are raring to go against Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield holders TVC, though they know the magnitude of the task.

“TVC are a strong side who have, over many years, developed a strong structure. As a new team, we’re learning to hold our own,” said Muller.

“Ball retention and defence are the big work-ons for us but all of our boys tackle well — especially our flankers, Troy Wharepapa and Ptolemey Niania.”

TVC, under openside flanker Moana Mato, have long been a settled and strong outfit.

Props of the calibre of Rika Mato and Hirini Delamere, a No.8 of Hoani Te Moana’s stature and clever backs like first-five Verdon Bartlett and fullback Ron-Paul McRoberts, wherever they happen to be placed, whether they start or not, are champions.

They are coming Waima’s way on the morrow.

Mato, never one to blow TVC’s trumpet, said: “We’re feeling good about things. Our focus is on our own performance and building momentum with each week.”

Ruatoria City skipper and fetcher Jack Richardson feels the same way about their clash with Hikurangi at Whakarua Park.

“We’re a skeleton crew but we’re full of heart and we’re going to take the battle to them.”

Unbeaten Hikurangi had the bye in Week 4 but beat TVC in Week 3, a 37-15 win from 22-3 up at halftime.

That was an enormous result at Kahuitara under captain fullback Kris Palmer, the only point-scorer ever to top 200 points in a season.

Braxton Bonica-Kururangi’s Waiapu are looking for their second win of the season against Hicks Bay.

Two of the men who have shared an enormous leadership role for Hicks Bay over many years — Frank Taiapa and Shaun Murtagh — may have passed the crown on to second-five Manahi Brooking, but they remain just as influential.

All three got in to score (Taiapa at lock, Murtagh at centre), alongside powerhouse No.8 Anton King and big first-five Terangi Fraser, in their 47-7 win against Waima a fortnight ago.