Rugby: Confidence for Shield defence

Western Heights High School 1st XV are aiming for a resilient defensive performance tomorrow.

Western Heights High School 1st XV must put in a strong defensive effort if they are to retain the Te Kani Shield.

This warning comes from coach Steve Smith as his side take on Te Whare Kura o Mauao at home in the second round of the Baywide Secondary Schools Competition tomorrow.

The crucial clash will be a repeat of the round-one final, with precious competition points at stake as well as the prestigious shield.

Western Heights are full of confidence having only lost once at the beginning of this season to tomorrow's opponents, who they then beat 20-7 two weeks ago.

Smith believes it will be a much closer rematch and the side has been working hard on their defence - particularly number eight Alex Buckley and flanker Taylor Soutar.

"They will definitely be more prepared to play against us and will want revenge," he said.

"Last time they had a lot of speed in the backs and were dangerous on the break so our defence will be the key to our success.

"I am wanting a big defensive effort from the team especially from Alex and Taylor. They will have a lot of work to do and I want to see a strong, disciplined performance from both.

"We will play to our strengths and must have a performance for the full game not just a half."

Western Heights won their last game 30-17 against Bethlehem College but had to come from a 10-0 deficit at half-time.

"We have to be ready on the whistle. Against Bethlehem we really performed in the second half but that won't be good enough against a lot of these sides," said Smith.

"We must play for a full game. We will go on the attack clinically on Saturday and if every player steps up we can get a good result."

There are five more rounds of pool play after this weekend for the top eight 1st XV before semis and finals.

The aim for all teams is to win their way through to the top four National Co-ed schools final being held in Palmerston North in September.

The game is at Western Heights High School No1 field at 12pm.