Nothing pleased head coach Mark Rutene more about Wairarapa-Bush's 32-21 win over South Canterbury in the Heartland rugby championship opener at Memorial Park on Saturday than the level of commitment shown, particularly in the second half.
Up by just a solitary point, 16-15, at the break and with South Canterburyalways dangerous with ball in hand, the message from the Wairarapa-Bush coaching staff was all about lifting the workrate, tightening the defence and playing as much of the game as possible in opposition territory.
"The first half effort was good but we needed more, we had to go up a couple of notches at least," Rutene said yesterday. "We had to shut them down, and depriving them of ball was obviously the best way to do that."
Not only did Wairarapa-Bush do what Rutene and assistant coach Paddy Gough wanted, they also lasted what was a physically taxing encounter noticeably better than the southerners.
That is something Rutene puts down to the hard yards they have done fitness-wise and also the considerable impact made by the fresh legs coming off the subs bench at different stages of the second half. "Effectively we don't have what you would call reserves, there is a nice even spread of talent right through the whole squad," Rutene said. "It's good to know you can sub a player on and know he'll keep the momentum going."
The huge impact made by subs such as hooker Jamie Hunt, lock Lachie McFadzean and wing Nathan Hunt does, of course, pose possible selection issues for Rutene and Gough, leading into this coming Saturday's Heartland match with Poverty Bay in Gisborne. As could the return from injury of experienced middle rower Brandon Young, who has recovered from a knee injury.
"Yes, we have got a bit of thinking to do.
"There are a lot of guys putting their hands up and saying pick me, it's all looking good," Rutene said.
The fact Wairarapa-Bush hammered Poverty Bay 46-14 in their annual Jeremy David Memorial Cup match on August 11 might have some pundits touting them as favourites for their Gisborne clash but Rutene is having nothing of that.
Rather, he is quick to point out Poverty Bay were not at full strength on that occasion, including missing some of their "imports", and no championship points were on offer there either.
"That win counts for nothing now, we're heading into a completely new ball game," Rutene said, adding Poverty Bay's confidence would have been boosted by their 31-15 win over Horowhenua-Kapiti in their Heartland opener.
