Defence focus of Whaka's preparation for clash with bottom side

Whakarewarewa's Kelly Haimona had a big game at fullback last weekend. Photo/Stephen Parker

Whakarewarewa sit in fifth place on the Baywide Rugby Premiership ladder.
They have 26 points. They have had five wins and accumulated six bonus points.

In contrast, tomorrow's opponents Poroporo have had no wins from nine games and have just a solitary bonus point.

Yet Whaka coach Joe Savage is refusing to buy into any ideas of an easy on-the-road win in Whakatane.

"We're trying to stay out of that sort of mode," he said. "You never know what they will bring on the day."

Playing the bottom-placed team has, though, given the coach the chance to rest a couple of players - most notably openside flanker Sioeli Alofi, who has a slight ankle injury, and halfback Chris van der Vlugt.

He may also be without Ryubyn Vaipo at 10.

"I've seen from [video] footage that they have a few potential threats and we will look to nullify those threats during the game, but basically we will focus on our own game.

"I'll be trying to get a bit of game time for the reserves and the guys who have been benching for most of the season and give them a chance to hopefully develop their skills as well, and give them more of a taste for premier rugby.

"Some of our development squad players are looking pretty good, so I can bring them up and give them some game time as well."

He is very much aware of the danger of taking the opposition too lightly.

"We haven't really mentioned it too much, we've focused on what we have to bring and on just getting better each week. So if we play like we played last week, or even better than that, then we are on the right track."

Despite conceding 41 points last week, Whaka managed the narrowest of wins over Te Puke Sports. But that spurred Savage into giving his players a heavy dose of defence training this week.

Kelly Haimona stepped into the 15 jersey last week and had an outstanding game, but while Savage would like to see him play at the back again, he may have to move the Bay of Plenty Steamers player into the number 10 shirt.

Rotoiti have, on paper at least, an altogether tougher assignment, travelling to Murray Salt Stadium in Te Puke to take on third-placed Te Puke Sports.

Sports will be smarting after amassing 41 points but still losing last weekend, and their position on the table reflects their six-win, three-loss record.

But the trip will hold no fears for Rotoiti who last Saturday overcame defending champions Rangataua at Emery Park.

Rotoiti will have just two full days to recover before their next assignment on Tuesday next week, the rearranged game against Paroa.

The original fixture was abandoned after Rotoiti prop Arapo Whata suffered a back injury 18 minutes into the game.

The re-arranged fixture will be at Eastern Districts ground, Paengaroa.

Fixtures:
Baywide Premier and Premier Development:
Premier kick-off: 2.45pm. Development kick-off: 1.pm. Paroa v Mount Maunganui Sports at Lawson Park, Arataki v Greerton Marist at Arataki Park, Poroporo v Whakarewarewa at Poroporo Park, Te Puke Sports v Rotoiti at Murray Salt Stadium, Whakatane Marist v Tauranga Sports at Rugby Park.
Baywide Division 1: Kick-off: 2.45pm. Waimana v Judea at Waimana Domain, Marist St Michael's v Ruatoki at Marist Park, Ngongotaha v Katikati at Ngongotaha Domain, Te Teko v Kahukura at Dunderdale Park, Rangiuru v Waikite at Centennial Park, Papamoa v Opotiki at Gordon Spratt Reserve.
Baywide Women's:
Kick-off 1pm. Te Whanau Apanui v Rangiuru at Te Kura Mana Maori o Whangaparoa
Sunday, May 21
Kick-off 1pm. Waikite v Rangataua at Bellvue Road, Rotoiti v Waimana at Emery Park, Whakarewarewa - bye.