Whakarewarewa player Eru Wano, pictured in action against this weekend's opposition - Tauranga Sports last season. Photo/File
Whakarewarewa player Eru Wano, pictured in action against this weekend's opposition - Tauranga Sports last season. Photo/File
Improved discipline is the focus for Rotorua teams in tough face offs this weekend.
The two teams, tied on 10 points with Tauranga Sports, travel away: Whakarewarewa against Tauranga at the Tauranga Domain while Rotoiti take on Mount Maunganui Sports at Blake Park.
Whaka and Tauranga come into the crunch clash on a high - two wins out of their opening three games, including last weekend's results: Whaka beat Mount Maunganui Sports 28-22 at home and Tauranga had a home win - 28-20 against Te Puke Sports.
Whaka head coach Joe Savage stressed his side's defensive line had been under the spotlight in training this week.
"We will implement a similar game plan to last week but we will be focusing more on our discipline, especially off our defensive line. We had a bit of trouble there in the weekend with people and their interpretation of the law and what the referee deemed suitable," he said.
Savage added a solid set play and his team's forwards were essential to creating a solid platform to push on from against a tough Tauranga.
"Set play and set phases for us will be another focus of ours, especially in the forwards," he said. "We didn't always have it go our way in our last match but when it did, things seemed to happen for us.
"Tauranga Sports have always had a strong defensive structure and don't seem to have a weakness there. We will be looking to use our strengths, with a good attacking backline and changing it up in the weekend to give it some variation will help towards that. Attacking out wide and in the centre will help with that but being able to maintain our discipline and structure in the close channels initially."
Tauranga Sports head coach Zane Winslade said his team was excited.
"Whakarewarewa are going to be a big test and those are the games we love to play, so we're looking forward to this weekend," he said.
"I have been really pleased with the work ethic of our team and I think that is ultimately what we are looking for from every player. If all 22 players are fully committed to emptying the tank this weekend then I am sure we'll meet our performance goals."
Meanwhile Rotoiti aim to push on from their nail biting 34-32 win over Greerton Marist at home last weekend - their second win of the season, while the Mount, in 10th, look to bounce back from the Whaka loss.
The Mount will be keen for revenge after losing 27-21 in the quarter-finals against Rotoiti last season.
Rotoiti, pictured celebrating against this weekend's opposition in the Baywide Premier quarterfinals at Emery Park last season. Photo/File
Rotoiti head coach William Royal said he didn't want a repeat of the second half last weekend - his side defending for the majority with just 14 men after forward Abe Tito received a second yellow for a high tackle.
"The Mount may not be doing too great right now but in this competition one result can really mix up the standings," he said.
"We've had a good start so far and I'm happy. Our first goal is still to make that top eight - you don't take that for granted because 12 tough teams all want the spots.
"The Mount won't make it easy for us - they certainly won't want two Rotorua teams beating them in consecutive weeks so we'll be on our guard. Also we have to be disciplined. It was great we showed character last weekend but the result was almost snatched away from us."
Bay of Plenty rugby union Premier and Premier Development fixtures: (Premier Development kick-off 1pm. Premier kick-off 2:45pm)
Tauranga Sports v Whakarewarewa at Tauranga Domain Mount Maunganui Sports v Rotoiti at Blake Park Whakatane Marist v Te Puke Sports at Rugby Park Paroa v Rangataua at Lawson Park Greerton Marist v Te Puna at Greerton Park Poroporo v Arataki at Poroporo Park
Baywide Division 1:
Te Teko v Papamoa at Dunderdale Park Marist St Michael's v Ngongotaha at Marist Park Ruatoki v Opotiki at Tuhoe Park Kahukura v Rangiuru at Kuirau Park Waimana v Waikite at Waimana Domain Judea v Katikati at Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park
