Hikurangi coach Stu Cook won't be lacking for material when he plans his motivational speech before this weekend's vital match against leaders Mid Northern in the Southern Districts premier competition. Cook is desperate for points tomorrow after Hikurangi dropped from a share of the lead two weeks ago, to now holda tenuous grip on fourth place after a draw with the Western Sharks and last weekend's 5-32 pasting by Mid Western. "It's a huge game for us; we've been a bit slack in the last couple of games but we definitely need points now, otherwise once our Northland boys go we're going to be in a heap of trouble," Cook said. Matches against Mid Northern traditionally gave Hikurangi teams a boost in motivation and he said that might bridge the gap between the sides. "There's a fairly deep rivalry between the sides but everyone's got to pick up our game a hell of a lot on last week, regardless of the injuries we've got at the moment." Injuries continue to plague Hikurangi, with regular first five-eighth Cass Walding unlikely to return for the match and his replacement, Troy Raite, injured last weekend. But Cook said Rhyan Caine's return this week from injury was a huge boost. "We missed him big time last week. He directs things behind the forwards and gets everyone moving off the front foot," he said. Hikurangi's Super 14 players, Bronson Murray and Jared Payne, won't be back for the Hukerenui clash but may be back in time for practice next week and could possibly face Marist next week. Mid Northern coach Vaughan Going said his side would be similar to the one that beat Marist last week. "Our forwards will be the same, but we were a bit shaky in the backs last week, but with my cousin, Clint (Going), back on board we'll be closer to full strength," he said. He was looking forward to the local-derby match and a chance to even up the slate for the season after his team's first-round defeat. "We'll see how we shape up at training tonight (last night) but we'll want to carry on building toward the end of the season and we also owe them one," Going said. In other matches at the weekend, the improving Hora Hora take on Marist and will be hoping to avenge their first-round mauling, while Old Boys host the Western Sharks. Wellsford, looking to get their season back on track, host Kamo, while Mid Western host Waipu.
