Take nothing for granted

GONE: Marist fullback Malatai Malatai leaves a Pioneer defender in his wake on his way to the try line.PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

A clash between the two teams sitting at the top of the points table would normally be headline news in any sporting competition but not so in Wairarapa-Bush rugby tomorrow.

Sure, Eketahuna and Greytown will have bragging rights to play for in their Tui Cup premier division match at Greytown but with both sides already having done enough to made it through to the semifinals - and with likely home advantage to boot - it's debatable as to how much should be read into the end result.

Having said that, however, Greytown, the defending champions, have had a couple of stumbles against Carterton and Martinborough during the past few weeks so motivation for victory might be greater for them, if only to get back into the winning habit.

Pioneer seem to have a semifinal berth at their mercy and there was a lot to admire about their gutsy win over a spirited Marist last weekend. They can expect another tough battle with Carterton at Carterton tomorrow.

The latter might be at the bottom of the points table but have shown real signs of improvement and the possibility of an upset can't be discounted.

Martinborough kept their semifinal hopes alive when they claimed Greytown's scalp last weekend and will probably need maximum points against Marist at Memorial Park if those aspirations are to be kept intact.

That won't be easy either, especially if Marist can unleash the attacking skills of backs like Malatai Malatai, Michael Te Whare and Etuale Feo. Fullback Malatai, especially, has made a big impact on the club scene with his elusive running on the counter attack and must now be in the reckoning for Heartland selection.

Refereeing the Memorial Park match will be Wellington's Vincent Ringrose who is in the "wider" national referees squad. Also in the latter is Wairarapa-Bush's Alistair Payne and he will be at Maidstone Park tomorrow controlling the Jubilee Cup match between Upper Hutt and Petone.

Gladstone will be well aware of the importance of their Tui Cup fixture with East Coast at Gladstone.

They sit fourth on the points table and will know a win here will go a long way towards them making the top four play-offs a little further down the track.

The betting is that Gladstone will rely heavily on their forwards to dominate possession and largely nullify the dangers posed by the East Coast backs and how successful they are in those endeavours will decide the result of this one.