‘Still hurting’ - 2017 defeat inspiring Waikohu's bid for history

Vital cogs in their machines: YMP flanker Willis Tamatea, who has had a fine season, tries to stop dangerous Waikohu fullback Ethine Reeves in a premier club rugby game. Containing Reeves will be key to YMP denying Waikohu a historic first Lee Bros Shield premier club rugby title and earning the Magpies a first shield win since 2010 when the sides meet in the 2018 final tomorrow. Waikohu have beaten YMP in both their round-robin matches this season — 36-22 and 26-15. Picture by Paul Rickard

WAIKOHU coach Jason Tuapawa says losing last year’s Lee Bros Shield final is all the motivation his players need for the 2018 decider against YMP at Rugby Park tomorrow.

“The guys who played last year (15 of tomorrow’s 22-man squad) are still hurting,” said Tuapawa, who is in his first season as the GT Shearing Waikohu premier team coach.

“I don’t think I’ll need to say too much. They know what this game means to the club and the community.

“We’ve always had good support but this season our following has been growing since our first match, and we want to reward them with a win.

“We had a dinner last night for the sponsors and supporters and they watched the boys train, which was neat.”

“YMP will also bring a lot of supporters, which should make for a great atmosphere.”

Tuapawa, a Poverty Bay premier club title winner with Pirates in 2011 and 2012, said the players were handling the expectations and pressure that go with trying to win a first Lee Bros Shield.

“They’ve been relaxed at training and as long as we control the emotions, which may have gotten the better of them last year, we’ll be OK.”

Tuapawa admitted he was more nervous than the players to the point of “having trouble sleeping”.

“As a player you have a say at what happens on the pitch but once the game starts, apart from making substitutions, it’s out of my hands. I played for Waikohu (senior 1) before going to Pirates for premier experience and I’d love to win it for the community.”

Tuapawa boosted last season’s squad with prop Jarryd Broughton, locks Te Miini Smiler-Kohere and Richard Green, No.8 Ken Houkamau, winger KC Wilson and halfback Hamuera Baker.

Broughton, a 20-year-old behemoth, has become something of a cult figure among the fans with his direct approach . . . running over rather than around opposition players.

Green and Smiler-Kohere have also been instrumental on the road to the final.

But the key signing has been former Pirates skipper Houkamau.

Houkamau is the most experienced forward and, bar Broughton, the biggest man in the pack. When it comes to defensive scrums he is the one charged with getting his side out of trouble.

But there’s more to Houkamau than just strength. He is a good footballer and motivator, who encourages his younger teammates.

Broughton’s propping partner Toru Noanoa, hooker/captain Geoff Pari and loosies James Rutene (blindside) and Lynden Manuel (openside) complete a starting forward pack who will put their bodies on the line to get the ball to a backline who are dangerous from 9 to 15.

Halfback Mario Counsell is a non-stop chatterer, who drives the forwards with his encouraging words, a slap on the back and, when needed, straight talking.

His job is to feed first five-eighth Kelvin Smith, who was man of the match in last week’s 25-14 semifinal win against Enterprise Cars OBM.

Jesse Fleming and Larry Fleming form a classy midfield combination while wingers Kirwan Ratapu and Tawhao Stewart are good finishers who also do their share of work on defence.

At the back is Ethine Reeves, a player who could break YMP hearts.

Reeves has it all — courage class and speed. He has been quiet by his high standards in the past two games but that should be a warning to the Magpies.

Give this man space to move and he will hurt you.