Toughest test yet for Wairarapa-Bush

Wairarapa-Bush's prospects of winning the inaugural Heartland rugby championship will be better judged after their top-of-the-table pool A match with North Otago at Memorial Park,Masterton tomorrow.
Normally any side which has gone through their first three matches in any competition would be brimming with confidence but the Wairarapa-Bush camp readily concedes they have yet to perform to their potential.
This is not to say though that they have played badly for you don't have relatively comfortable wins over Buller and West Coast and then defeat East Coast in the intimidating atmosphere of Ruatoria without doing something right.
But as a side which by current Heartland standards has a mobile set of forwards with sound ball-winning capabilities in all areas and a backline with a good measure of flair and speed there is clearly more to give, and tomorrow would be the ideal time to show it.
North Otago will, of course, represent the most formidable assignment Wairarapa-Bush have faced in pool play.
They too have gone three matches without defeat and have picked up one bonus point more than Wairarapa-Bush to shade them on the competition table, 14pts to 13pts.
Both sides are basically assured of making it through to the top six playoffs but the big prize from winning tomorrow's game will be that the victor will very probably earn themselves two home games in that three-match series .
Which in turn will aid their chances of progressing onto the semi-finals and then, hopefully, the October 21 grand final at which the Meads Cup will be at stake.
What promises to make this match a memorable affair is the tactical approach of the combatants.
Management of the two teams have been frustrated at the defence-orientated game plans of their opposition in previous matches this season and have expressed a desire to place the emphasis on attack here.
At the same time though the importance of gaining at least a semblance of dominance up front will be stressed as no matter how much talent you have in the backs you can't expect to prevail without the ball.
From all accounts North Otago do not have a big pack but they tend to make up for any lack of size with an equal dose of aggression and mobility.
The size factor, however, may tempt Wairarapa-Bush to have a real crack at them at scrum time and that being the case the onus will be on front rowers Albertus Buckle, Joe Harwood and Dylan Higgison to lead the way. They will be doing their side a big favour if they can outmuscle North Otago in what is one of the prime ball winning departments.
The return to full fitness of Tomasi Kedarabuka should be a boost to Wairarapa-Bush's lineout play, an area in which the experienced Mike Robinson has become something of an unsung hero.
He doesn't have the spring or athleticism of a Kedarabuka but generally takes down his share of good ball without fuss or bother.
One suspects the Wairarapa-Bush loosies will have to earn their keep tomorrow for their North Otago counterparts are reputed to one of their team's main attributes.They will undoubtedly challenge the speed of Sylvanus Iro, Sam Henderson and Mike Spence to the breakdowns and will be looking to test their defensive skills around the fringes of the rucks and mauls as well.
The Wairarapa-Bush backs will relish any chance they have to demonstrate their attacking talents but they will only get full value from them if the option taking is up to scratch, and that has not always been the case in previous games.
Calling the shots in this regard will be the experienced inside combination of Hamish McKenzie and Patrick Rimene and how they cope with the constant harassment they are sure to receive from the North Otago loose trio could very well play a big part in the end result.
At second-five Nathan Couch will have his hands full containing a player with the same assertive approach as himself, North Otago skipper Karne Kaufana.Theirs should be a bruising clash in every sense of the words.
In Simanu Simanu, Junior Togia and Francis Seumanutata Wairarapa-Bush have a three-quarter line capable of extending the soundness of any defence but for them and fullback Peato Lafaele the big test tomorrow could be their own defensive work, something which has not always been up to standard this season. If they don't make their tackles count the pacy North Otago outside backs will have a field day.
This then is a match Wairarapa-Bush can win but only if their all-round performance is indicative of their potential. Anything less and they will come second.
Pool B also features a table-topping clash, with unbeaten Wanganui hosting South Canterbury.
Wanganui have had thumping wins over Thames Valley and Horowhenua Kapiti but struggled to a 23-all draw with King Country two weeks ago.
A host of close matches loom this weekend, with both pools pitting first against second, third against fourth and the two bottom-placed teams squaring off.
In pool A third-placed Mid Canterbury travel to Westport to face Buller while East Coast host West Coast at Ruatoria in the classic grass roots provincial showdown.
Pool B's mid-table clash sees Horowhenua Kapiti at home to Poverty Bay in Levin while winless Thames Valley travel to Taupo to meet King Country.