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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Baywide women's rugby teams have plenty to play for

David Beck
By David Beck
Multimedia sports journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·
24 Jun, 2017 02:52 AM4 mins to read

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CHARGING: Waikite's Sharni Waretini hits a gap against Rangiuru last weekend. On Sunday Waikite are looking to ensure they finish round one in at least fourth place when they play Rotoiti. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

CHARGING: Waikite's Sharni Waretini hits a gap against Rangiuru last weekend. On Sunday Waikite are looking to ensure they finish round one in at least fourth place when they play Rotoiti. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

This weekend marks the end of the first round in the Baywide women's rugby competition.

After this weekend's games the top four teams will play for the Cup and the bottom three will play for the Trophy in round two.

The top two teams at the end of round one will also have the benefit of hosting two out of their three round robin matches in round two.

Rangataua and Rangiuru have the top two spots sewn up, sitting on 27 and 25 points respectively. Whakarewarewa are third with 14 points and a win over Rangiuru tomorrow will ensure they keep that spot, but if they lose they could be leap-frogged by Waikite.

Waikite play Rotoiti in what is sure to be a hotly-contested local derby.

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Waikite need to win to ensure they at least keep fourth place ahead of Waimana, who are just two points behind them on the table.

If both Whaka and Waikite lose and Waimana win with a bonus point they will move ahead of both - pushing Whaka into fourth and Waikite into fifth.

While Rotoiti, who only have five competition points, cannot make the top four they can still play the role of spoilers against their local rivals.

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Waikite captain Eliza Stephens said her side was looking to "regather" themselves after their 45-5 loss to Rangiuru last weekend.

"We're doing a bit of rebuilding this season - we have a new team this year so throughout these games we have been trying girls in positions we think they might be able to play.

"We've had a lot of chopping and changing, but I believe this team that we field on Sunday will probably be our number one," said Stephens.

Waikite had planned to have a settled line-up going into round two of the competition.

"You could see with Rangiuru that when you have ladies settled in their positions you perform well . . . we've gone back to basics and we're looking to peak at the right time of the season.

"[To win against Rotoiti] we need to do the basics well.

"We have a pretty simple game plan - we are focusing on our poor performance last week and improving our defence."

Despite being consigned to the finishing in the bottom three, Rotoiti coach Victoria Grant said her side had plenty to play for.

"We're excited for this game against Waikite, another local team, the girls always love playing in Waikite in a local derby.

"The top four doesn't come into their thinking too much, they'll be up for the game regardless," said Grant.

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Rotoiti's biggest strength was their forward pack.

"Set pieces - the scrum, kickoff and lineouts - are important for us.

"If we can contest and win in those areas I think we'll come out okay.

"They are quite strong there as well but if we can be really competitive we'll go good.

"We've also looked at improving our attacking structure and that's improving each week."

Whaka coach Ron James said it had been a tough week as his side had been crippled by injuries and illness.

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Several players were suffering from illness and young lock Teana Paul suffered a season-ending ruptured calf muscle last weekend.

"She's one of our players that had never played before and was just starting to come good.

"We might be struggling to put a team together this weekend," said James.

Going up against a strong Rangiuru side, who were unbeaten this season, was going to be a tough contest, he said.

"They've been together a few years and they're up near the top of the table for a reason.

"We just have to take what we can out of the game. We're not just going to play a game, we're going with a purpose in mind.

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"Firstly to go out and win it and secondly how we perform.

"We've got nothing to lose because it's our first year and we're still developing."

Baywide Women's draw:
Sunday

Kick-off: 1pm
Waikite v Rotoiti at Bellvue Rd
Rangiuru v Whakarewarewa at Centennial Park
Waimana v Te Whanau Apanui at Waimana Domain
Rangataua - Bye

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