Keeping focus key to title hopes

Current standings on the competition table will count for nothing when Wairarapa-Bush fronts up to Thames Valley in an NPC third division rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton tomorrow.
On the face of it anything but a decisive Wairarapa-Bush victory would be a huge surprise.
After all they sit second on the points table with Thames Valley languishing at the bottom in eighth place.
But, in reality,that's exactly why Wairarapa-Bush have been taking absolutely nothing for granted in their lead-up to the game.
Two seasons ago they took on another bottom placed side in West Coast and came home with their tails between their legs.
And already this season they have lost to the bottom-placed side in the 2004 third division series, Buller.
Sure, that defeat has been made to look more respectable by Buller continuing on to win their next three games but at the time it too was considered by pundits around the country as an upset of massive proportions.
Statistics of this nature tend to suggest that when Wairarapa-Bush teams of recent vintage square off against sides they should demolish they struggle to produce their best form, and that's a suggestion Wairarapa-Bush management are dead keen to put to rest tomorrow.
Proof of that is the emphatic "no" given by coach Peter Russell when asked whether he gave any consideration to spelling any of his key players for this particular game.
Not only does Russell know the struggles Wairarapa-Bush have had in combating teams the history books say they should beat by a country mile but he is keen to see the momentum built up in the last three divisional games maintained.
The Russell policy in those games has been to keep his starting line-up pretty much intact until midway through the second half when fresh legs are introduced.
"What we have been doing seems to have worked well so we won't be changing anything for this one," Russell said.
The Wairarapa-Bush coach is anticipating a Thames Valley side which only lost by a couple of points to King Country last weekend after leading 17-6 at one stage breathing fire in the opening exchanges.
"They will be treating this as one of their big games of the season??a chance to knock off one of the top placed sides," he said. "That's the incentive they have, and it's the sort of incentive which can see a side lift themselves way above what they have done before."
Whether two of their "gun" players, lock Tomasi Kedarabuka and openside flanker Daimon Neal, will be fit enough to take the field for Wairarapa-Bush tomorrow was not known at the time these notes were penned with Russell happy to leave it until as late as match morning before making any decisions in that regard.
Such has been the impact both Kedarabauka and Neal have made in previous NPC matches this season it is no exaggeration to say that without them Wairarapa-Bush's chances of a comfortable win would spiral downwards at a rapid rate.
As the only special lineout forward in the usual starting line-up Kedarabuka has taken massive responsibility in that crucial department and has come through with flying colours. But not only that, he is also a punishing runner with ball in hand and a willing workhorse on defence.
Neal has been dynamic in loose play, quick to the loose ball and breakdowns and a constant harasser of opposing inside backs.
Both Kedarabuka and Neal are suffering from shoulder injuries and on Thursday morning coach Russell had them no better than 50-50 when asked what their chances of playing were.
If Kedarabuka does not play the prospects are that promising youngster Corey Reid will partner skipper Mike Robinson in the middle row while in the loose forwards Nea's absence would see Sylvanus Iro move from No.8 to openside flanker and Steve Olds come into the back row.
One change is guaranteed in the Wairarapa-Bush backline with wing Jorgi Tamani having the misfortune to break a finger, just another setback for him after the broken bones he suffered in both arms last season.
Tamani's loss gives Wellington "import" Marika Kau the chance to make his first start in a Wairarapa-Bush jersey. In his appearances off the bench thus far Kau has had precious few chances to demonstrate his attacking skills but as the leading try scorer in Wellington club rugby this season he obviously knows where the goalline is.
If-and it is a big if- the Wairarapa-Bush backs can combine with the same precision as they did in that marvellous first half against South Canterbury last weekend it's hard to imagine their Thames Valley counterparts keeping them in sight.
From James Bruce at halfback through to Bart Viguurs at fullback it was a joy to watch as they cut the South Canterbury defence to ribbons with slick passing and clever changes of direction
The catalyst to their most potent attacks was second-five Nathan Couch but you get the feeling his influence won't have been lost on Thames Valley and that he will be closely marked tomorrow.
But Wairarapa-Bush is in the fortunate position of not having to rely on Couch for the initial thrust in their backline play. Centre Simanu Simanu and fullback Bart Viguurs are two who are quite capable of filling a similar role and maybe it will be their turn to call the shots on this occasion.
COLTS FINAL
The Wairarapa-Bush colts rugby side play Poverty Bay in the final of the B section when the Hurricanes under-20 competition draws to a close in Palmerston North
tomorrow.
It was only last weekend when Wairarapa-Bush and Poverty Bay last met with Wairarapa-Bush racing out to a 20-3 at halftime and then fighting hard to stave off a determined Poverty Bay comeback, winning 20-15.
Wairarapa-Bush coach Mark Rutene was impressed by the manner in which the bulky Poverty Bay pack controlled possession in that second half and he has no doubts what their tactics will be this time round.
"The forwards are obviously their strength and they will be wanting the keep the ball close to them all game," he said.. "If we can break even up front we can win, that's the challenge for us."
Rutene has been delighted with the progress made by his team this season, with earlier Hurricanes competition games producing wins over Wanganui (20-3) and Horowhenua-Kapiti (59-3).
The focus has been on playing an entertaining brand of rugby with pacy outside backs like Tavita Isaac and Richard McGregor being given every opportunity to utilise their speed.
"We've looked to move the ball every chance we get and we've been pretty successful so far," Rutene said. "We won't be doing anything different tomorrow?? why change now."
Several of the Wairarapa-Bush players have to be in the reckoning for the Hurricanes colts side which will be named on Saturday night, players like Gladstone backs John Dodd and Johns Uys, Marist utility back Trent Vatselias and forwards Jono Owen, Tim Iro, PJ Harrison, Jared Hawkins and Josh Mackey.
There will be two curtain-raiser matches played on the Memorial Park No.1 ground tomorrow, and they will take in opposite ends of the age scale.
At noon will be a Golden Oldies game between Milhillians and East Coast Wrinklies while kicking off at 1pm will be a match between the Wairarapa-Bush and Horowhenua-Kapiti under-16 sides.