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RUGBY
What goes around has indeed come around.
Uawa, defending champions of East Coast club rugby, are brilliant hosts with a keen sense of humour, although understandably the manner of their Round 1 loss to Hicks Bay at Wharekahika on April 27 wasn’t funny at the time.
In the absence of a scoreboard, but believing they led in the game, Uawa took a line-kick on full-time, only to discover that Hicks Bay had in fact won the game 36-34.
And whether or not either side regards tomorrow’s match as high noon or something similar, there is no doubt that Uawa, as the home team this time around, will want to win emphatically — if for no other reason than to make sure they have indeed won.
“We had a tough loss there the last time we met, so we’re keen to get one back on them,” said Uawa coach Tip Nukunuku.
His captain, lock Scott Lasenby, added: “Hicks Bay are always challenging — they have a big forward pack and backs that can deliver.”
The home team’s forward pack, however, includes the likes of outstanding prop Laman Davies and hulking No.8 Adaam Ross, and is the biggest eight in the seven-team competition.
Hikurangi have the bye in Week 11.
The champs are coming off their second big win of the 16-week season v Hikurangi and four games remain until the semifinals.
Both Hicks Bay lock Ivan Martin and No.8 Anton King scored two tries apiece in the 36-15 win against Ruatoria City last Saturday, with tighthead prop Pera Bishop and ageless halfback Tyrone Delamere also among the men to dot down.
One of the keys to victory for Hicks Bay will be field position — the likes of Delamere and forward captain No.8 Frank Taiapa can give them that.
Both men know when to run. They also know when a well-timed big tackle can help turn the tide.
Tokomaru Bay United captain Matt Marino knows that although his team play at home (Hatea-a-Rangi), they will be up against the odds this weekend.
“The odds” here refer to a well-rested Tokararangi.
“It’s a long shot, but we’ll try for the win,” said Marino, whose side does come into this admittedly stern test on the back of a performance of real character in their 19-46 loss to Tihirau Victory Club at Te Kura o Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa.
Tokararangi captain Hone Haerewa is focused: “She’s going to be a tough road for us.
“Sitting in fifth place, five points behind Hikurangi (fourth place), means that we need to take every available point and opportunity to make the top four.”
Since when was 17-all a rugby miracle?
The answer: since the first round last year, when Ruatoria City captain Tim Barbarich led his gutsy crew to Cape Runaway and his outfit came within a hair’s breadth of unseating then-champions Tihirau Victory Club at home.
In 2017, City lost the 2 v 3 semifinal to TVC 20-25 at Whangaparaoa and so the hosts will know that City cannot be underestimated.
Their MVP v Hicks Bay in Week 10, right-wing Manu Papuni-Eyles, is a talent.
Barbarich is a strong leader and there is no glitz with City, but they are physical and they can retain possession.
That may amount to an awkward test for TVC, who themselves play smart rugby.
Player-coach Whetu Haerewa, the dangerous Verdon Bartlett and Mo Mato are all in the mix for a TVC team which reads, contains and counters whatever comes at them.
The referees for this weekend’s games are Chris Wanoa (Uawa v Hicks Bay at Uawa Domain), Matt Richards (Tokomaru Bay United v Tokararangi at Hatea-a-Rangi) and Jimmy Green (Tihirau Victory Club v Ruatoria City at Te Kura o Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa).