Bush midfield defence key

Tightening the midfield defence is a prime objective for Wairarapa-Bush in their Lochore Cup Heartland championship semifinal rugby match with King Country at Te Kuiti tomorrow.
It was deficiencies in that department that cost Wairarapa-Bush dearly in their 43-22 loss to the same King Country squad just last Saturday and coach Kelvin Tantrum knows a similar result will probably occur if those weaknesses are not rectified.
"We know they (King Country) have plenty of pace and flair in their outside backs and we know how dangerous they can be when they are allowed to use it," Tantrum said. "Obviously the test for us is to cut down their space and time on the ball, if we don't manage that then we'll be in trouble."
Youngster Jesse McGilvary teamed with Cyrus Baker in midfield last weekend but tomorrow will see a more experienced combination there with the Masterton Red Star duo of Byron Karaitiana and Heemi Tupaea slotting into second-five and centre respectively.
McGilvary does, however, retain his place in the starting XV on the wing where he has already performed well in Heartland games this season.
The selection of Karaitiana also means Wairarapa-Bush have a second kicking option in their inside backs and that should ease the pressure in defensive situations on regular first-five Jeremy Te Huia, who has sometimes looked uncomfortable when forced to clear with opposing loose forwards breathing down his neck.
It will be important to the Wairarapa-Bush cause, too, that their back three of wingers McGilvary and Junior Togia and fullback Nick Olson place huge emphasis on positional play, as King Country showed last Saturday that the kick and chase game is a vital part of their attacking armoury.
The make-up of the Wairarapa-Bush pack was still somewhat up in the air midweek, with lock Brandon Young struggling with an ankle injury, blindside flanker Joss Tua-Davidson battling a sore knee and openside flanker Tommy Sargent troubled by a hamstring strain.
Of the three, Tua-Davidson is the most doubtful starter and his absence would be hugely felt as he has been the most consistent player in the whole of the Wairarapa-Bush squad this season. John McFadzean would probably be his replacement.
If Young can't play then Tomasi Kedrabuka will join Andrew McLean.
Sargent came off the bench last weekend but, with Wairarapa-Bush sure to focus on forward domination, his powerful running with ball in hand made him a strong chance to be part of the starting line-up tomorrow, either on the openside flank or at No 8. His hamstring concerns could, however, see him in the reserves again, a situation which would mean Rupeni Temani and Mana Faraimo retaining their spots in the initial loose forward trio.
"For us, it's a case of everything to gain and nothing to lose, for them, the expectations are huge and it'll be interesting to see how they cope with that," Tantrum said. "The more doubt we can create in their minds, the better it will be for us."
A likely Wairarapa-Bush starting XV is: Nick Olson; Jesse McGilvary, Heemi Tupaea, Byron Karaitiana, Junior Togia; Jeremy Te Huia; James Bruce; Mana Faraimo; Rupeni Temani, Brandon Young, Andrew McLean, Joss Tua-Davidson; KIurt Simmonds, Joe Harwood, Dylan Higgison. Reserves: Brett Rudman, Jared Brock, Tomasi Kedrabuka, John McFadzean, Tommy Sargent, Tommy Harmon, Cyrus Baker.