Puketoi game postponed

The Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match set down for Pongaroa tomorrow between Puketoi and Bush Sports has been postponed.

Puketoi requested that the game be deferred after the tragic loss of midfield back Eroni Ravaga-Gaunavou, who failed to resurface when swimming off Akitio Beach on Monday, and Bush Sports and the Wairarapa Bush union have given their approval.

"The union fully supports the postponement and our thoughts are with Puketoi Rugby Club and the community at this sad time," the game's ruling body in the area said yesterday.

Marist and Rams will feature in the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match at Memorial Park tomorrow.

Both are winless and will know a fourth consecutive loss will jeopardise their survival in the top grade.

The three bottom sides after one full round will be relegated to second division status and it's difficult to imagine the loser of this fixture avoiding that fate.

Those who follow local rugby will not, of course, be too surprised at Marist and Rams' position because the teams are in a rebuilding phase and their inexperience was always likely to count against them.

Nobody could quibble at their endeavour but they are still learning the trade when it comes to making scoring opportunities count and, conversely, keeping their opposition from regularly turning their chances into points.

The fact that Rams appear to have slightly more depth will see them start as favourites, but not by much.

At the other end of the points table are Carterton and Pioneer and the unbeaten sides will do battle at Carterton.

It should be an intriguing clash with the result perhaps depending on Carterton's ability to starve Pioneer of ball and therefore negate the attacking brilliance of a backline headed by play-makers Tipene Haira, Tommy Harmon and, most dangerous of all, Hoani Peacock.

In the likes of Dylan Higgison and the McFadzean brothers, Lachie and John, Carterton have some tough nuts in their pack who will relish the challenge of dominating the forward exchanges.

Greytown gave Carterton a whale of a game last weekend before losing by five points and, while again underdogs against Martinborough at Martinborough, another close result is in prospect. Both sides like to move the ball and have backs capable of running in tries from all over the place but it's probably fair to say Martinborough will fancy their chances of having an edge up front.

Word is that the most exciting back in Wairarapa-Bush club rugby last season, Fijian Inia Katia, will join up with Gladstone again and, if he happens to be in the No9 jersey when they host East Coast tomorrow, anything could happen.

Katia is a player who can spark something out of nothing and his presence would boost the chances of a Gladstone side severely depleted from last year's championship-winning combination.

Even if he does play, however, East Coast will be favourites. It's probably fair to say they have yet to play to their potential this season but, with a backline containing many of the region's best attackers, they should get home comfortably enough.