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RUGBY
They’ll be in the thick of it.
The Poverty Bay under 20s will get another taste of quality representative rugby in Palmerston North tomorrow v a star-studded Wairarapa-Bush crew determined to perform in memory of the late great All Black captain Sir Bryan Lochore, a Bush and Heartland rugby stalwart.
Poverty Bay captain and last try-scorer in the season opener (a 41-13 loss to Horowhenua-Kapiti here) No.8 Chase Sheridan said: “We trained well this week and we’re excited, but we need to get back to our structure, nail the basics — like one-on-one tackles, keeping the communication up and also trust the process.
“If we do those things, it’ll be a good couple of games this weekend.”
A side which fought back hard in the second half of game one here has now been joined by Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 players, such as front-rowers Jordan McFarlane and Amanaki Tonga, with a point to prove.
Gritty openside flanker Seth Lundon’s aggressive driving play was a beacon to all at Rugby Park last weekend: he carried the ball strongly.
The Bay will need much more of the same v the Bush, who have three New Zealand u19 representatives from 2018 in their side: 6ft 5in lock Matt Masoe, centre Joe Gordon and halfback Bryan Arnold. Wairarapa-Bush — who dismantled Wanganui 57-12 in their first outing — are led by blindside flanker Lewis Bush.
“We have good size and balance,” said Bush coach Joe Nuku.
“Logan Prendeville-Herb on the right wing is big and fast but we don’t want to give Poverty Bay a sniff — if they get any momentum, gaps open up . . . and they’ll find those.”
Another second-year coach at u20 level, Danny Tamehana of Wanganui, has four returners in his crew who will be taking on Poverty Bay on Sunday.
“We’ve got a powerful pack with good skill-sets and top-end speed with the likes of Wanganui Metro u21s fullback Jack O’Leary: he’s got wheels,” said Tamehana.
“The boys in all of these teams have a great window of opportunity at this level to showcase their ability, with a chance for higher honours.”
Poverty Bay have the ability to be very competitive. Halfback De-Villa Pirihi-Coutts showed good skills under pressure last Saturday behind a pack which held its own. Loosehead prop Wirihana Raihania, in scoring Poverty Bay’s first try of the rep season, proved that persistence can pay off. The Bay will be tested again but as their captain said, “Our team is full of leaders”.
Tomorrow’s match will kick off at 1pm at the Sport and Rugby Institute in Palmerston North under referee Jack Sargentina (Wellington), while Sunday’s 10am fixture at the institute will start at 10.30am, referee Aaron Conlon (Wanganui).
POVERTY BAY SQUAD (in alphabetical order): Michael Akroyd, Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea, Blake Beard, Yvarne Carroll, Kaide Kerekere-Davoren, Rerehau Grennell, James Law, Seth Lundon, Jordan McFarlane, Sam Middleton, Malachi Montgomery, Kristen Munro, Punch Noanoa, Jason Paul, Matrics Paul, De-Villa Pirihi-Coutts, TK Reihana, Te Kapua Rewi, Chase Sheridan (c), Tuhakia Stewart, Winiata Tarawa, Ofa Tauatevalu, Amanaki Tonga, Wade Wesche.