Time to shine

Ngatapa loosehead prop Semisi Akana takes on HSOB lock Shaun Halbert as first five-eighth Baxter Mackay prepares to lend Halbert support. Akana is leading the Poverty Bay premier club rugby Most Valuable Player points contest. His side face YMP at Barry Park tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

It's payback time for YMP tomorrow when they play Ngatapa in the opening game of round 2 of the Poverty Bay premier championship at Barry Park (kick-off 2.45pm).

When the sides met in the first Saturday of the season, Larsawn Ngatapa came back from 20-0 down to win a thriller 26-25 in Wairoa.

“That loss is still fresh in the boys’ minds. It was a game we should have won,” said East Coast Farm Vets YMP coach Steve Smith. “I’ve told the boys this is the business round. There are no more rounds after this.

“We’re a club who have been around for over 100 years but haven’t won the Lee Bros Shield since 2010 when I was the captain of Pirates. It’s time to put that right.”

Smith has the luxury of fielding his strongest team.

“We’ve been lucky with injuries, touch wood, and I hope it continues this weekend,” he said.

“I’ll be looking to our senior players — Rei (captain Reihana Wyllie) Eru Wharerau, Willis Tamatea, Shayde Skudder (vice-captain) — and loosies Fawn White, Willis and Mekepio Brown for big games tomorrow.

“Hopefully we can win and deny Ngatapa points, which would set us up for the rest of this round.

“It’s also a good chance for any player who wants to make the Bay team to play the Coast on Queen’s Birthday Weekend to put their hand up.”

Ngatapa coaches Sione Ngatu and David McDonald have had to make changes to the team who beat Tapuae 54-0 last weekend.

Tighthead prop Campbell Chrisp (hand injury) openside flanker Jacob Samuel (concussion,) hooker Ihaia Kerr (calf) and lock Richard Webby () are out.

“Some are not far away from playing but we won’t take any risks,” said McDonald.

Despite the losses, Ngatu and McDonald have the depth to field a strong team.

Midfield back Oka Sanerivi and No.8 Pete Tamatea reurn after missing last week’s match and the squad has been strengthened by the inclusion of Lyle Crudis.

Crudis, who comes from Stratford, made his debut off the bench at first five last week and made a good impression.

“He looks to be a good addition to the squad,” said McDonald.

The Ngatapa pack have been in tremendous form this season, especially loosehead prop Semisi Akana who is leading the race for the end-of-season Most Valuable Player award.

Barring injury, Akana, who has 11 points, is a leading contender to be named in the Bay team to play the Coast at Tolaga Bay.

Akana has been smashing his way through would-be tacklers and takes some stopping.

“He has work-ons but he’s playing well enough to play at a higher level,” said McDonald. “He’s a powerful runner and he’s worked hard on keeping the ball alive more this season.”

Athletic openside flanker Jesse Kapene (10pts) and YMP hooker Skudder (9) are keeping the pressure on Akana for the MVP honour.