‘The time is right’ for Athletic to beat HSOB

Bring me home, boys: Ngatapa openside flanker Jacob Samuel secures lineout possession with the help of Campbell Chrisp (left) and Richard Webby. Picture by Paul Rickard

Athletic coach Jimmy Whaitiri says his team will never get a better opportunity to beat High School Old Boys than when the teams meet in a premier rugby game at the Oval tomorrow.

“I’m not saying we will win, but the time is right,” Whaitiri said.

“It’s no secret that Hoots (Earthwork Solutions HSOB coach Jamie Hutana) has lost a lot of players, especially forwards, this season.

“We’ve been in the same boat as HSOB . . . been on a par with them regarding numbers at training.

“But last week we achieved our first goal, which was to get a win, and this week we trained well.

“Now we’ve re-evaluated our goal and I’ve told the boys this is their time — if we are to have a time — to beat HSOB.

“But we also have to be careful of not thinking we just have to turn up to win.

“Jamie’s a proud man and he’ll have been working hard to field a team after defaulting last week.”

Athletic opened their premier account with a 19-10 victory over Tapuae in the Wairoa derby last week.

And under Whaitiri’s coaching they have been improving.

A key man for Charteris Choppers Athletic will be former Poverty Bay No.8 Dave Gallagher.

Gallagher did not get on the scoresheet last week but his contribution was immense.

“He’s a farmer who doesn’t get to training as often as he’d like but he’s as tough as they come and a very good player,” Whaitiri said.

“He’s thinks he’s too old to be playing but I’m keen for Dave to keep playing as long as he can.”

Winger turned prop Damen Taukamo-Huata was another to stamp his class on the game.

“He did a great job last week.”

Hutana was not in a position to name his team at the time of going to print but said he would have a front row and there would be a game.

Tapuae skipper Hema praises coach King's positive outlookRoseland Tavern Tapuae skipper and prop Wayne Hema says having a positive coach (Frank King) helps keep a side who have yet to win a game “always willing to front up”.

“We’ll probably be a few players short but Frank is a real positive guy and we all enjoy each other’s company,” Hema said.

“It’s not hard to turn up when you love the game, but losing to Athletic last week hurt.

“But that game’s gone now; time to move on. Ngatapa are going to be tough.

“I see from reports they’ve got some good young backs. I’m hoping we can deny them possession.”

Hema said that while his players were not lacking courage, fitness could be improved.

“We had a good session this week but as players we can all do a bit of extra individual training.”

Larsawn Ngatapa player-coach Sione Ngatu, who is content to concentrate on coaching at this stage of the season, will be without skipper and halfback Chris Richardson because of work commitments, and midfield back Oka Sanerivi and No.8 Pete Tamatea because of injuries.

On the credit side, hooker Ihaia Kerr returns after recovering from a hamstring injury, and Ngatapa have gained a player in Lyle Crudis.

“He’s from Stratford and arrived at training this week,” assistant coach David McDonald said.

“He looks a handy player who can play first-five. We’d like to get him on at some stage tomorrow.”

Angus Twigley comes in for Richardson, while Ngatu and McDonald have options to cover the absence of Tamatea and Sanerivi.

Prop Campbell Chrisp or his brother Alex (blindside flanker) could go to the back of the scrum. Peter Livingston will likely come in for Sanerivi.

One player who won’t be moved is rangy openside flanker Jacob Samuel, who has been in superb form this season.