They will start rank outsiders but Cross Country Rentals Eketahuna will have an extra incentive to produce a top-notch performance in their Wellington premier division women's rugby match with competition leaders Norths in Wellington tomorrow.
Eketahuna will be dedicating the game to the memory of their staunchest supporter, Roger Taylor,who passed away last Sunday and whose funeral is in Masterton today.
"Roger will be very much in our thoughts. He did so much for us in so many ways," Eketahuna coach Sid Tatana said. "You couldn't have wished for a better supporter. He was always very positive. He never really had a bad word to say about anybody. We are certainly going to miss having him around."
Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney said it was hard to visualise Mr Taylor not being on the sideline when Eketahuna played, camera in hand.
"He took hundreds and hundreds of photos of us playing. Even in the worst weather, he would be out there clicking away. He was a true gentleman, a great friend to all of us. It won't be the same without him."
Mahoney said it was typical of Mr Taylor that on the night of the All Blacks first test against Ireland he had hosted many of the Eketahuna team at his place for a pizza evening.
And he was was forever sending team members text messages, reminding them of training and match times. "He was 100 per cent committed in everything he did.
Mahoney said nobody took more delight than Mr Taylor in Eketahuna winning both the trophies up for grabs in the Wellington premier division competition last season.
"It's lovely to be able to look back and remember the thrill he got out of that. He was over the moon."
Eketahuna club president Dennis Dougherty said Mr Taylor's death would leave a "big hole" in the club.
"The women's team especially have lost a wonderful friend and supporter. He was absolutely dedicated to them."
Rugby was, however, not the only sport to benefit immensely from Mr Taylor's support. Softball, netball, basketball and shearing were among others to profit from his involvement.
As for tomorrow's clash with Norths, a win to Eketahuna would be a major upset. While Norths have been carrying all before them in impressive fashion, Eketahuna's fortunes this season have been rather mixed; a default to Old Boys University last weekend because of a shortage of players reflecting their battles. The loss of talented players such as Maia Tua-Davidson, Shaan Waru and Heidi Wichman has been a big blow to Eketahuna and little is likely to be seen of Mahoney for the rest of this season, too.
Coach Tatana is still optimistic, however, that while a win over Norths would be a big ask his team would at least be competitive and a semifinal berth, at worst, was still achievable.
