Tough task for TVC to take points from Tokararangi

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

Tokararangi versus Tihirau Victory Club could be incredible.

Tokararangi will defend Te Araroa Domain’s honour at home tomorrow, this time against the No.1 team in Ngati Porou East Coast club rugby.

TVC beat Tokomaru Bay United 73-0 in Week 4, scoring 13 trìes (four of which were scored by second five-eighth William Ford). That bonus-point victory earned them the lead in the seven-team competition.

“We expect physicality — and good running rugby, as well — in this top-of-the-table clash,” TVC player-coach Moana Mato said.

“Tokararangi, too, are playing with more structure than they have in the past, which makes them even more dangerous.”

The standings list TVC as having 14 competition points, Tokararangi 14, Uawa 6, Waiapu 6, Tokomaru Bay 4, Hicks Bay 2 and Hikurangi.

Mato said that every year at least one of the seven teams in the competition went through a rebuilding phase over the course of at least a season.

TVC will field Tuterangi Te Moana at hooker, Hoani Te Moana at No.8, Keegan Rowley at halfback, Tutere Waenga at first-five and Benny Haerewa at fullback. All are solid players.

Tokararangi head coach Israel Brown repeated his call of earlier in the season. He asked for discipline and ball-skills, and that his team stick to their game-plan.

All games tomorrow start at 2.30pm.

Uawa host Waiapu in a 3 v 4 contest at Tolaga Bay under referee Jackson Reuben-Swinton, while sixth-placed Hicks Bay will host Team No.7 Hikurangi at Wharekahika.

Uawa head coach Laman Davies said his side trained well this week, while Hicks Bay under Aaron King continue to work hard in all areas. Hikurangi coach George Reedy has seen innumerable clashes between his club, The Maunga (Mountain), and their opposition tomorrow.

He believes his people are ready.

“We’re looking good — they trained well tonight,” Reedy said.

“Drummond Morice will start at hooker; he’ll bring the grit you need against Hicks Bay.

“Fabyan Kahaki was very good against Tokararangi at Te Araroa and may be at first-five again against Hicks Bay.

“They’re like us — a family club — so they’re hard to beat at home.

“Tanetoa Parata as captain is very determined.

“He’s instilling self-belief in these boys by the week. He’s our first-choice openside flanker.”