Women’s clash to open Poverty Bay-East Coast derby action

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Rugby Park is all go this weekend with Poverty Bay-East Coast derby action. It begins with the game between Tūranga Mana Wāhine and East Coast Ngāti Porou's Hamoterangi.

Mana Wāhine have had a weekend off and are looking forward to the next challenge.

“Mentally and physically, they'll be ready,” co-coach Lenny Ferris said.

The nerves and pressure that come with playing at home, along with the challenge of playing traditional rivals Ngāti Porou East Coast, will show what this team is made of.

“Being able to control that emotion and make it a positive instead of a negative factor will be the difference between winning and losing,” Ferris said.

“What we are going out there to achieve, is to win.

“Because we are at home, there will be a lot more pressure on our team. The Coast will bring a lot of support, especially with their men playing straight after us.”

Mana Wāhine are made up of players from the Coast, Gisborne and Wairoa. They will be feeling the mana of playing a “home” game and also pressure to bring home the win.

Hamoterangi will also feel some pressure. Team manager Cali Morice said they had worked hard to get ready for this weekend.

“The feeling in the camp is good,” Morice said.

“We are still learning how to prepare for this level of rugby. Being mums and now trying to be physcially active has been tough for this ‘Heartland' type of competition. But we are ready.

“We are very thankful to our union and the board, who support us implicitly.

“The battle lines have been drawn and both camps will be ready for what's to come.”

This weekend's clash for the women will be the second time that the Mullany whānau's Rerepuhitai Trophy will be on the line. Hamoterangi won it last year.