Rugby
Attitude can have a big say in the result of any rugby match.
Invariably it is the team who displays the most hunger who comes out on top- and that's why the first 20 minutes will very probably dictate the outcome of the Eketahuna v East Coast Tui Cup premier division fixture at Eketahuna tomorrow.
With both teams already guaranteed spots in the following weekend's semifinals alongside Greytown and Pioneer all that remains to be decided is their seeding positions.
Greytown, for their part, have already picked up four points from tomorrow's last round of preliminary rounds courtesy of Martinborough's default, taking them to 34 points and meaning they are assured of a home semi.
Pioneer, on the other hand, are forced to play a waiting game as they have the bye and will stay on 31 points.
Right now that has them in second on the points table but should Eketahuna beat East Coast they will move to at least 32 points and earn a home semi as well.
For East Coast, tomorrow's game gives them the chance to improve their seeding from fourth to third. For that to happen they must beat Eketahuna and score four or more tries while doing so, and they also need to stop Eketahuna from securing a bonus point at the same time.
Hence the thought the opening quarter of tomorrow's game will be absolutely crucial, simply because if East Coast haven't gained a handy scoreboard advantage by that stage the temptation would surely be to place the emphasis more on player survival than anything else.
After all having everybody on deck for the semis would have to take precedence over a seeding position, even more so when Pioneer's default to Greytown last weekend is taken into consideration. Those two sides will therefore be going into the semis having missed two successive weekends of rugby played on wet, boggy grounds, and the consequent toll it takes on bodies.
East Coast and Eketahuna won't have that luxury and that's why you can expect East Coast at least to give their reserves ample time on the paddock if the early signs are for a tight match. Eketahuna, of course, would probably see things a little differently as the thought of a home semi will keep their minds occupied for a longer period of time.
What then are the chances of East Coast building the sort of lead needed to keep them focussed for the entire 80 minutes? On a dry, firm surface you would have to think the attacking skills of their backs could possibly do the trick but even then it would be hard work against an Eketahuna side whose form has clearly made them a serious contender for Tui Cup spoils. Unquestionably their strength lies in their forwards and you get the feeling they will be able to deny East Coast the share of quality ball required to set their backs alight on a regular basis.
The other two premier division games tomorrow will feature the four sides already destined to go forward to the senior second division semis. Marist will play Bush Sports at Memorial Park and Carterton will play Gladstone at Carterton.
A second key match at Eketahuna tomorrow will be between two of the top sides in the Manawatu women's competition, Eketahuna and Stratford. They will kick off at 1pm and with Eketahuna having five players in the Manawatu NPC team and Stratford providing the bulk of the Taranaki squad for that same competition this could, in fact, qualify as game of the day.
The full draw for interclub rugby in Wairarapa-Bush tomorrow is:
Premier division: Eketahuna v East Coast, Eketahuna at 2.30pm (A Stringer; P Thompson and G Reisima); Marist v Bush Sports, Memorial Park at 2.30pm (S O'Gorman; S Andrew and G Moorcock); Carterton v Gladstone, Carterton at 2.30pm (A Payne; G Hall and V Peterson).
Senior reserves: Bush Sports v Carterton, Pahiatua at 1pm (P Baucke); Eketahuna v East Coast, Eketahuna at 1pm (G Reisima); Pioneer v Masterton Red Star, Jeans Street at 1pm (S Andrew); Greytown v Martinborough, Greytown at 1pm (D Goodin); Tuhirangi v Marist, Pirinoa at 2.30pm (E Wallace).
Manawatu women: Eketahuna v Stratford, Eketahuna at 1pm (P Thompson; L Price and C Henricksen).