Talking a big game

Rugby

The rival coaches are playing it cool leading into Saturday's Tui Cup premier division rugby grand final at Memorial Park in Masterton.

Tony Lyford (Greytown) and Wayne Roache (Eketahuna) are refusing to buy into the debate that the game will pit the physicality of the Eketahuna forwards against the brilliance of the Greytown backs.

Lyford concedes that Eketahuna's main attribute is the mobility and ruggedness of a pack spearheaded by the highly-regarded loose trio of Johan van Vliet, Joss Tua-Davidson and Rupeni Tamani but he is quick to suggest they will have nothing on a Greytown eight which is so strong in the loose forward department that proven No8 Nathan Ito will be at lock. This will allow Kahn Fruean-Walker and Tana Isaac to start on the flanks and Rihi Brown at No8.

"Our loosies will lose nothing in comparison to theirs," Lyford said. "They have all been in great form; we don't have any worries about them at all."

And Roache isn't losing any sleep over the thought of his Eketahuna backs keeping their Greytown opposites under wraps. He accepts they could struggle in terms of pace but believes their sound defensive structure will serve his side well.

"I think our backs have got under the radar a bit; they have been doing a lot better job than they have been given credit for," Roache said. "They aren't flashy but they do the basics well and that's good enough for us."

The Eketahuna coach doesn't hold either with the theory that his team's chances will improve should the rains come and the Memorial Park ground presents a muddy surface.

"We hear that a lot but we actually play better on top of the ground because it means we can better utilise the mobility of our forwards," Roache said. "There won't be any rain dances done up here."

Lyford makes no secret of his wish for fine weather and a dry track. He points out the two previous clashes between the sides this season were played in the wet - Greytown winning the first 23-19 and Eketahuna the second 14-13 - and consequently, his side had not been able to play free-flowing rugby on either occasion.

"There's not a lot you can do about the weather but, if we had a choice, we want it dry, no doubt about that."

Lyford and Roache were happy to report their sides came through their semifinals without any injury problems and unless something untoward happens at training this week, they would be at full strength for the decider.