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WAIROA Athletic host High School Old Boys in the last game of Poverty Bay premier rugby’s round-robin format . . . and despite being second-bottom of the table they can end the season with a trophy.
Charteris Choppers Athletic will lift the Challenge Cup if they win, after Earthwork Solutions HSOB beat holders Waikohu last weekend.
“We came close to beating HSOB in Gisborne and I’d like to think if we got into a similar position this time round we could hold on for a win,” Athletic coach Jimmy Whaitiri said.
“But HSOB will be tough. They’re finishing the season strongly. A lot will depend on the squad they bring down and, for us, who turns up.
“We have a loyal core of players but I’ve been disappointed in guys who are on the fringes not turning up regularly to training.”
HSOB coach Jamie Hutana’s men have won their past two games, beating Waikohu and second-placed YMP, but left their run too late to book a top-four spot.
“A couple of the boys are carrying injuries, but there’s a good feeling in the camp and we want to finish really well,” Hutana said.
“Athletic at home will be hard to beat. It will be a big game for both sides. They gave us a hurry-up in our first match and we not expecting anything different tomorrow.”
The danger for Athletic will be HSOB speedster Andrew Tauatevalu, who has been in great form since moving from the wing to centre.
“We’re getting the ball to Andrew quicker and it’s been good for his confidence,” Hutana said.
¦ NGATAPA should seal third spot when they play bottom-of-the table Tapuae in Wairoa tomorrow.
Larsawn Ngatapa will not have in-form prop Campbell Chrisp and suspended lock Richard Webby, but should be too strong for Tapuae.
“We need a hit-out ahead of next week’s semifinal, especially after having a bye last weekend,” said co-coach David McDonald, who last weekend watched YMP, Ngatapa’s likely opponents.
“YMP’s backs were impressive,” he said.
“The forwards got beaten up at scrums and set pieces but they still managed to clear the ball well, and once they got it out wide there was no stopping the backs.”
Club stalwart Jason Jones replaces Chrisp, who will be available for the semifinal. Jones, Ihaia Kerr and Todd Harris give Ngatapa a solid front row who will not take a backward step. Lock Sam McDell is having a great season and was rewarded with a place in the Poverty Bay team who beat Ngati Porou East Coast at Queen’s Birthday weekend.
The backs — Chris Richardson, Lyle Crudis, Henry Seymour, Anthony Karauria, Oka Sanerivi, Mark Yanz and Matt Raleigh — are sure to cause Tapuae plenty of problems.