Star talent poised for shot at the top

Eketahuna's Rebecca Mahoney is set to play a key part in the tactical approach adopted by Wellington Pride in their NPC women's rugby semi-final match with Auckland in Auckland on Saturday.
Mahoney, who has played for the Black Ferns, has one of the best kicking games at the top level and Wellington coach Grant Edmonds wants to utilise it to the fullest extent.
"Beks is going to be very important, she has the job of ensuring we play the game at our pace rather than being rushed into playing it at Auckland's pace," Edmonds said of his first-five. "Tactically she is going to have to kick well, that's vital for us".
Edmonds said his Wellington squad was outsmarted in their 17-6 loss to unbeaten Canterbury in the last of the preliminary round matches last weekend with Canterbury continually being allowed to move the ball around, and consequently "tire out" the bigger Wellington forwards.
"They worked on the basis their fitness would be the telling factor and played the game accordingly," Edmonds said. "And we got caught up in trying to match them at their own game rather than slow things up and play to our strengths."
Edmonds sees Auckland - with whom Wellington drew 10-all a few weeks back - adopting similar tactics to Canterbury and he is determined his own side won't fall into the same trap again.
"The emphasis for us has to be on dominating the forward battle and starving their backs of runnable ball that's why the onus will be on playing the game in opposition territory," Edmonds said.
"We won't be doing anything too flashy, it will be good, basic rugby that works best for us."
Fullback Maia Tua-Davidson and centre Shakira Baker will be other Eketahuna players in the Wellington backline with Baker coming off a strong effort against Canterbury and, according to Edmonds, maintaining the interest of the Black Fern selectors.
"It was Shakira's best game for us, she was very sharp and forceful in everything she did. There are still raw points to her play but the potential is massive".
The make-up of the Wellington pack could differ slightly from the norm with serious thought being given to moving Eketahuna skipper Perri Tatana from lock to the blindside flank, the position she fills at club level. If that is the case she could be part of a loose trio also including her Eketahuna team-mate Emma Aldworth.