The Doone Harrison-coached Hikurangi know how big their game against TVC tomorrow is.
If everyone fires for the home team, they can beat Cape Runaway’s finest tomorrow. They drew 12-all with the 2017 champions at Te Kura o Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa on June 5: right-wing Zyon Collins and halfback Neihana Ratahi-Brown scored tries for the Maunga that day. Fullback Fabyan Kahaki converted for the draw; TVC had led 12-5 at half-time.
Openside flanker Kuhu Haweti and centre Ron-Paul McRoberts were TVC’s try-scorers that day, second-five Peti Delamere the goal-kicker.
All of these players have continued their good form and, potentially, could have a hand in deciding the outcome. Others are equally dangerous: TVC blindside flanker William Ford scored a hat-trick in Week 11.
“Hikurangi will be hard to beat at home but we’re totally looking forward to the challenge,” said TVC captain second-five Moana Mato.
“Discipline is our main focus, week by week.”
Ask not whence the thunder comes is a line from Jack the Giant Slayer.
And though Tokararangi may not hear Uawa before they see them at Te Araroa Domain tomorrow, they are very aware of the size of the men they’ll be facing: East Coast club rugby’s biggest forward pack.
“It’s always exciting coming up against a quality squad like Uawa,” said Tokararangi captain No.8 Hone Haerewa.
“We’ve got a couple of guys out injured — tighthead prop Chris Bristow and halfback Taylor Hovell — but we’re looking foward to playing some good physical, fast rugby.”
The 5th-ranked team hosting No.1 tomorrow could certainly have all of that: the midfield pairing of Jordan Birch and centre Jesse Rye was superb for Uawa last Saturday. Right-wing Tipene Meihana ran hard and straight, and lock Kerehama Blackman gave his pack a huge boost early on. Wyntah Riki was tidy at hooker, captain Scott Lasenby was his normal industrious self. Whatever the outcome, this match will be fiercely contested.
Ruatoria City have fought long and hard this season and tomorrow, in the 6 v 7 clash, they host Tokomaru Bay United.
United under coaches Daryl Goldsmith and Kuru Gray, with the support of manager Ronnie Babbington, may well still be flying high after their great performance at home against Tokararangi last Saturday.
Tokararangi won the match 59-29 yet United — a proud club — had given them a heck of a game. They had reserves; they were competitive. Men like veteran forward Mike Tiopira have sacrificed a good deal to keep the club going and though they lost their regular captain Adam Williams to injury earlier in the season, they have played on. Their giant loosehead prop Gary Rangi had the distinguishing honour to score the first try for a visiting team at Kahuitara.
Ruatoria City have but one win to their name in 10 games so far but the thrill of tomorrow’s fixture is that both sides will be in the game. Neither can make the semi-finals in three weeks’ time and City is away to Tokararangi next week. Tokomaru Bay United have the bye in Week 13 and then host defending champions Uawa in Week 14 to bring the curtain down on their club’s season.
Referees for tomorrow’s games:
Hikurangi v Tihirau Victory Club, Daryl Goldsmith (East Coast).
Rutaoria City v Tokomaru Bay United, Isaac Hughes (Poverty Bay).
Tokararangi v Uawa, Jimmy Green (East Coast).
