Rugby: Whaka aiming to stay in top spot

Whaka are searching for three straight victories to start the season. Pictured is Whaka player Doug Edwards, with ball. Photo / Ben Fraser

Whakarewarewa will put their perfect start to the season on the line when Greerton Marist pay them a visit in Rotorua.

Whaka have won their opening two matches against Paroa (91-7) and Rangataua (44-22) lifting them to the top of the ladder in the Bayfair Baywide premier competition, alongside Tauranga Sports.

The Rotorua club were pushed hard by Rangataua last weekend but managed to pull back a half-time deficit, thanks largely to four tries from Te Rangi Fraser.

Whaka coach Kopae Irihei said they would look to continue that winning form against Greerton at Puarenga Park tomorrow.

"We are excited with how we have performed at the start of the Bayfair Baywide Championship," Irihei said.

"That has been our focus to start well and continue to perform. We are looking forward to the match against Greerton Marist. They upset us last year, so we will not be reading too much into their current form to date. We will be focusing on what we are doing and hope everything else falls into place, we are quietly confident we can match any team in the competition."

Former Whaka and Rotoiti coach Kevin Lee is the head coach of Greerton this year. He said he expected a tough contest. "We are pleased with how the team is tracking given the average age of our team is rather young especially in the forwards. We realise it will be a tough game especially as Whakarewarewa are at home and at the top of their game being co-leaders of the championship. "The key to being competitive with Whakarewarewa is 100 per cent commitment for 100 per cent of the game."

Meanwhile, Rotorua's two other premier sides Waikite and Rotoiti are both at home this weekend. Rotoiti won the Central Bay of Plenty local round in the build-up to the Baywide premier grade this season. They will host Te Puke Sports at Emery Park tomorrow as they look to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Tauranga Sports.

Waikite have lost both opening matches this season on their return to the premier grade. They will face Rangataua at Bellvue Rd tomorrow.

Winless teams to meet in Baywide

Galatea and Ruatoki will go in search of their first win of the season after joining the Baywide Division One competition this year.

Both clubs made the step up into the new-look division one competition this season, and have competed well against quality sides.

Ruatoki have lost their opening two matches to Kahukura 16-12 and Rangiuru 13-5, while Galatea also dropped their first two matches to Rangiuru 38-7 and Marist St Michael's 34-27.

They will meet each other at Galatea Domain tomorrow afternoon as they both look to claim a victory.

"We are confident we will come away with the win," Ruatoki coach Maaki Pouwhare said. "Providing that we stick to basics, keep our game structure and we execute the game plan.

"Galatea is a forwards orientated team and we believe we have the forwards to match them."

Galatea coach Jono Black said it would be a good match.

"We had two good tussles last year against Ruatoki. This year we hope to have the same but coming away with a win. Our boys have been stepping up to the mark and will need to again this weekend."

Club rugby draw on Saturday:

•Premier (2.45pm): Opotiki v Mt Maunganui at Princess St Reserve, Rotoiti v Te Puke Sports at Emery Park, Te Puna v Tauranga Sports at Maramatanga Park, Whakarewarewa v Greerton Marist at Puarenga Park, Waikite v Rangataua at Bellvue Road, Whakatane Marist v Paroa at Rugby Park.

•Premier Development kick-off at 1pm.

•Division One (2.45pm): Galatea v Ruatoki at Galatea Domain 3, Kahukura v Judea at Kuirau Park, Katikati v Arataki at Moore Park, Rangiuru v Poroporo at Centennial Park Te Puke, Reporoa v Marist St Michael's at Reporoa, Te Teko v Ngongotaha at Dunderdale Park.