Hawke's Bay rugby: Taradale and Clive gear up for final

Taradale's Gemma Woods (left) and Clive's Amy Williams rehearse their celebratory cheers for tomorrow. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay Tuis and Taradale women's rugby teams' head coach Steve Woods was foxing a bit this week.

He reckoned he was going to play his daughter and Taradale captain Gemma Woods in the same position as Clive captain Amy Williams in tomorrow's Big Barrel Hawke's Bay Championship Cup final at Farndon Park in an attempt to restrict Williams freedom. He obviously had his promotional cap on but the younger Woods wasn't having a bar of it.

"I'm playing No 8 and that's where I hope to play for the Tuis," the veteran of 41 first-class games for the Tuis at halfback said.

While Taradale have beaten Clive in sevens and 10s they haven't beaten the defending champions in their two 15-a-side outings this season. Woods, 29, is optimistic about the visitors' chances of gaining revenge for last year's 23-7 loss in the final at the same venue.

"We're pretty pumped for it and we've got the team to do it," Woods said.

"The last two times we played them we were short on numbers. This time we've got all of our injured players back so we should have a solid team and it will be a good challenge."

A title winner with Napier Technical in 2013, Woods, pointed out there's an extra incentive for Taradale to deliver tomorrow. Woods and four others will receive their blazers for 50 appearances for the club tomorrow night. The others are mother-of-four and the oldest in the team at 45, hooker Helen McGregor, vice-captain and prop Natalie Cotton and substitute forwards Luana Eden and Kelly Bray.

"It's good that our club is recognising the women players like the men. Hopefully we can make it a night to remember," Woods said.

She stressed the importance of shutting down Clive's ball early so the likes of halfback Williams, player-coach and centre Te Maari MacGregor and fullback Shaylee Tipiwai's opportunities are limited. Woods said there is no shortage of attacking talent in the Taradale backline with the likes of Black Ferns squad member Krysten Cottrell at first five-eighth, inform second five-eighth Natasha Greville and former Manawatu fullback Kaitlin Bates who is commuting from Palmerston North each week to play for Taradale with the aim of cracking the Tuis squad.

Woods said a key to Taradale's march to the final this season has been the fact the bulk of last year's squad returned this season.

"We're trying to do what Clive have done for years ... maintain continuity with the core of the team."

A world champion with the Black Ferns in 2006, Williams, has lost count of the number of titles she has won during her 13 seasons playing for the riversiders. The hosts will have plenty of motivational ammunition too.

"It's our veteran loosie's 25th season and our former prop and assistant coach will be receiving her blazer for her service to the team," Williams said referring to 49-year-old No 8 Deidre Hakopa and Sharlena Maui.

Williams, 31, agreed the loyalty of the Clive players combined with the superb coaching methods of MacGregor have been instrumental in the defending champions unbeaten run this season.

"Te Maari has designed game plans appropriate to the strengths of our team. We can play a high-tempo game because of our versatility and high fitness levels. We all work in well because everyone is on the same page."

At the same time Williams, who should be named Tuis captain this season, said there was no shortage of respect for Taradale within the Clive squad. That's exactly how it should be because the final has the potential to be a closely fought encounter.

Teams for the 11.45am final:
CLIVE: Shaylee Tipiwai, Sasha Paterangi, Te Maari MacGregor, Danielle Pomare-Mackey, Arini Gillies, Hinerangi Temara, Amy Williams (captain), Deidre Hakopa, Niamh Jefferson, Marlane Harmer, Rebekah Hurae, Yarnisae Whaitiri, Kara Huata, Jesse Carter (vice captain), Turuhira McIlroy. Substitutes: Moana Butler-White, Charlie Hoggard, Laurae Blake, Lisa Ropiha, Lara Kendrick.
TARADALE: Kaitlin Bates, Jahna Watson, Apikara Whaanga, Natasha Greville, Barbara Tuapawa, Krysten Cottrell, Hailey Baker, Gemma Woods (captain), Jasmine Taukamo-Apiata, Selena Crouch, Whitney Olsen, Kandice Kemp, Natalie Cotton (vice captain), Helen McGregor, Rowena Batt. Substitutes: Jo Curtis (Simeon), Krystina E, Rewa Mason, Luana Eden, Kelly Bray.