Rugby
Uncontested scrums have become a trend in Wairarapa-Bush rugby at premier division and senior reserve levels.
The Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Referees Association is sending a strong reminder to clubs of their responsibilities in this area.
Spokesman Peter Debney said the replacement of a front-rower must come from suitably trained and experienced players who either started the match or were on the bench.
If a team, as a result of injury or sending-off, could not provide enough suitably trained front-rowers as replacements then uncontested scrums would be used, he said.
Debney stressed it was not the referee's duty to determine the suitability of trained front-row replacements, rather it was a team responsibility. And it was the Wairarapa-Bush union which had the jurisdiction to address the issue should a tactic of contrived uncontested scrums become evident.
"Contrived uncontested scrums are contrary to good sportsmanship and not in the spirit of the game," Debney said.
"This would be a question for the WBRFU to resolve."
In an uncontested scrum, the packs do not compete for the ball. The team putting the ball in must win it, and neither pack may push.
Meanwhile, matches in the Tui Cup premier division continue tomorrow and a brief preview of the four games is:
East Coast v Greytown, Whareama at 2.30pm: A cracker of a game is in prospect between two sides many see as potential finalists. Greytown were undone in the last seconds by Eketahuna in the wet at Greytown last weekend but that would have done little to dent their confidence leading into this one. With Norm Henricksen, Regan Pope, Nathan Iro and Tana Isaac calling the shots they have enough firepower up front to earn a steady stream of quality possession for a backline in which another couple of Isaacs, Tapaga and Tavita, provide the main attacking thrust. In loosies Tom Bowie, Joe Feast and Ben Holmes and hooker Ben Pereira, East Coast have plenty of forwards with proven ball-running skills, and the guile of Zeb Aporo and the opportunism of Nick Olson means their backline can be a handful as well. If we had to tip a winner we would lean towards Greytown - but only just.
Carterton v Marist, Carterton at 2.30pm: Carterton will still be in an upbeat mood after their upset over Martinborough last weekend and will keep their semifinal hopes alive if they can pick up the maximum five points against a Marist side still looking to break their "duck" in the Tui Cup series. The problem for Marist will be in containing a Carterton pack which should dominate the set pieces through the combined efforts of players such as Dylan Higgison, Blair Heming, Hone Vella and the McFadzean brothers, Lachie and Johnie. Marist do have some fast backs out wide, but existing on scraps will do nothing to help their cause.
Gladstone v Bush Sports, Gladstone at 2.30pm: It's going to be a huge uphill battle for whoever loses this one to make it to the semis so you can anticipate both teams applying a "take no prisoners" approach. Gladstone will know if they can obtain enough ball from the forward exchanges then the attacking flair of backs such as Inia Katia and Cameron Hayton will keep them in the game. Conversely, Bush Sports will probably see their best chance of victory revolving around the ability of rugged forwards such as Sam Marshall-Wilson and Campbell Lawrence to call the tune up front. The boot of Hayton, who has already scored over 150 points this season, could just give Gladstone the edge.
Martinborough v Pioneer, Martinborough at 2.30pm: This is a hugely important assignment for Martinborough, who desperately need the win to stay in touch with those at the top of the competition table. They will be confronting a Pioneer team chockful of confidence after an impressive winning streak which has them staring a semifinal spot squarely in the eyes. That Martinborough are capable of an upset cannot be doubted. They have a set of forwards who don't mind the physical stuff and a backline with any amount of pace but whether they have the defensive qualities to contain opposition capable of creating tries from anywhere on the paddock remains to be seen. The form book clearly says Pioneer but the desperation in the Martinborough camp could just be enough to tip the scales in their favour.
The full draw for tomorrow is:
Premier division: East Coast v Greytown, Whareama at 2.30pm (D Adams; S Andrew and M Ford); Carterton v Marist, Carterton at 2.30pm (S O'Gorman; D Goodin and L Price); Gladstone v Bush Sports, Gladstone at 2.30pm (A Payne; G Hall and D Whitcombe); Martinborough v Pioneer, Martinborough at 2.30pm (C Jefferies; B Whale).
Senior reserves: East Coast v Bush Sports, Whareama at 1pm (S Andrew); Masterton Red Star v Tuhirangi, Colombo Road at 2pm (P Thompson); Gladstone v Carterton, Gladstone at 1pm (G Hall); Greytown v Marist, Greytown at 1pm (G Moorcock); Martinborough v Pioneer, Martinborough at 1pm (B Whale); Eketahuna a bye.
Manawatu colts: Eketahuna v Feilding, Eketahuna at 1pm (P Baucke; C Henricksen).
Secondary schools: Premier XV: Rathkeale firsts v St Peters firsts, Rathkeale at noon (P Thompson); Kuranui firsts v St Pats Silverstream thirds, Kuranui at 1pm (D Goodin). Manawatu under-15: Wairarapa College v Waiopehu, Wairarapa College 3 at 9.50am (L Price). Open grade: Wairarapa thirds v Makoura firsts, Wairarapa College at 11.15am (V Peterson), Rathkeale seconds a bye. Junior: Makoura v Rathkeale XV, Makoura at 10am (R Wakeling); Wairarapa Gold v Wairarapa Blue, Wairarapa College at 10am (J Head); Kuranui v Rathkeale White, Kuranui at 10am (M Ford); Chanel a bye.
Meanwhile, Wairarapa College first XV player Matthew Macrae is one of 53 talented youngsters selected to attend a Hurricanes under-18 training camp at Feilding High School next month.
The camp will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn new on-field skills from the region's top provincial coaches, as well as increase their knowledge of the off-field aspects of the professional game.