Town v Country

TAKING ON TOWN: Country five-eighth Reihana Wyllie puts on a fend against Town lock Jacob Cook in the first Town against Country match in May. Country won the game 26-21 and the second match is tomorrow at Rugby Park. Picture by Liam Clayton

RUGBY

COUNTRY won the first game against Town but they will go into tomorrow’s rugby clash in Gisborne as underdogs.

A handful of players — many of them from Country — are either unavailable, suspended, injured or eager to rest niggles, but others will step up for their chance to impress the Poverty Bay coaches before the Heartland campaign.

The two games between The Gisborne Herald Town and PGG Wrightson Country are key features of the Poverty Bay rugby calendar this year and have been billed as a step up from club rugby.

However, the second match has been slotted in before the last round of club rugby’s regular season and that seems to have resulted in some problems.

Shayde Skudder, who was a co-captain for Country in the first fixture, said Country were firm underdogs, with so many players out.

“But that opens doors for other boys to push for a look-in at the next level,” he said.

“It’s a bit hard at this time of the season — teams are resting their key players coming close to the semis.

“There are plenty of talented players around. It’s a matter of how much they want it and how eager the clubs are to push these players along.

“It’s a good opportunity and a mean grudge match to be a part of.”

Club sides High School Old Boys, Pirates-GMC and OBM are aligned with Town; YMP, Waikohu and Ngatapa are aligned with Country.

Miah Nikora, the Poverty Bay backs coach, is coaching Country.

He had an electric collection of backs to work with last time, as YMP were running hot at the time.

It won’t be the same this time and tomorrow’s fixture may be a chance to see what the likes of young Ngatapa five-eighths Matt Raleigh and Lyle Crudis can do.

Poverty Bay head coach Tom Cairns, who is coaching Town, said the game was another chance to build the “brotherhood” within Poverty Bay rugby.

This match was a chance to continue to work with players.

Some players had stepped up recently and would get their chance for Town. They included OBM No.8 Morgan Reedy, who had returned from overseas and put in some strong performances.

OBM front-rowers Daniel Marsh and Ethan Brett were others to show recent good form.

Country had to mount a comeback in the first game last month, winning it 26-21.

Bruce Amai is the manager for Town and Stu Smith for Country.

The game, at MoreFM Rugby Park, kicks off at 2.30pm.

A trial for the Poverty Bay under-20s team will be played as a curtain-raiser at 12.30pm. They’re known as Alpha and Omega.

AlphaRaukura Waihape, Bailey Ngarangione, Sam King-Taufa, Blake Beard, Konnor Gibson, Carlos Paenga, Nathan Short, Wade Wesche, Chase Sheridan, Henry Smith, Sam Hata, Zane Wairau, Thomas Hart, Devilla Pirihi, Seb O’Halloran, Thomas Rutene, Dean Pohatu, Dru Hapi, Alex Hopoi, Luke Peta, Te Mana Barbarich, Morgan Hodgetts, Hunter Tangira, Jaylin McCafferty, Crudence Burton, Punch Noanoa, Chilay Tane, Lane Reeves, Roy Horo, Tavita Ikavesa.

OmegaWirihana Reihana, Seth Lundon, Lyric Tahau, Wiremu King-Taufa, Malachi Montgomery, Darien Doull, Kaide Kerekere, Michael Akroyd, James Law, Zac Pell, Viliami Pole, Jason Paul, Jack Fuller, Phagen Clarke-Winiata, Sam Middleton, Kayleb Te Whare, Kristen Munro, Yvanne Carroll, Ash Eru, Tuhakia Stewart, Te Kapua Rewi, Rerekaua Grennell, Matrics Smith-Paul, Ratu Clay-West, Genesis Tamatea, Owen Pengelly, Winiata Tarawa, Tharin Peratiaki, Nare Maxwell.

The teams will be coached by Dave McDonald and Barnard Huriwai.