Waikohu aim to keep Barry Cup

Not out!: Waikohu winger KC Wilson gets by YMP No.8 Stuart Leach close to the sideline during the Poverty Bay club final. Waikohu still have a Cup to defend as they take on challengers Matakaoa tomorrow at Te Karaka at 2.45pm. Picture by Paul RIckard

THE hundred-year mark for Barry Cup challenges will come around in 2023, and holders Waikohu aim to remain the hosts into the centenary year.

Waikohu have held the cup — symbol of Tairāwhiti sub-union supremacy — since 2019, but no challenge matches have been played for the past two years due to Covid.

Matakaoa are the first challengers in line, and play Waikohu at Te Karaka at 2.45pm tomorrow.

Waikohu had a strong season in Poverty Bay club rugby but could not make it three Lee Bros Shield wins in a row. They lost 28-24 to YMP in an epic final.

Of the 10 sub-unions who contest the Barry Cup, only Ngatapa and Hikurangi will not be in a challenge match this year.

Waikohu are taking a collective approach to the way they are coached in this Barry Cup campaign.

“We are coaching ourselves,” halfback Mario Counsell said.

“We have a lot of leaders who all play a massive part in our team.

“We had our first training run on Thursday night and it went well. There's a lot of interest, as the Barry Cup is a whānau-style competition and it's awesome to be a part of.

“The Poverty Bay club competition is over, we're still close and the Barry Cup brings back our whanau to rep for our sub-union.”

If Waikohu keep winning, all seven challenges this year will be held at Te Karaka.

Any team beating them will become the challenge hosts.

Matakaoa chairman Graeme Summersby said their team were ready to go.

“We haven't played for three weeks, but we are going to be competitive.”

Waikohu: Peryhn Martin-Barber, Geoffrey Pari (captain), Tulsa Kaui, James Rutene, Shyanne Wyllie, Tamanui Hill, Kupu Lloyd, Tristan Morten, Ruan du Plooy, Ethine Reeves, Punch Noanoa, Jesse Fleming, KC Wilson, Roy Horo, Moses Christie. Reserves: Michael Tane,TK Tane, Hayden Rutene, Tapuraka Dixon, Matatua Ruru.

Matakaoa: Manahi Brooking (co-captain), Henare Brooking, Jim Hovell, Weihana Delamere, Meiha Waitoa, Te Whetu Waitoa, Te Hewa Ruha, Wiremu King-Taufa, Tiera Brown-Biddle, Rapata Haerewa, Teina Potae, Te Kooti Kingi, Pamona Samupo, Rangi Te Kani-Barnett, Shaun Murtagh (cc). Reserves: Josh King, Anton King, Jackson King, Israel Brown, Frank Taiapa.