Rugby League: Bay of Plenty Lakers overcome slow start against Coastline

STANDOUT: Bay of Plenty's Aussie Tuwhangai put in a man of the match performance against Coastline on Saturday. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

Bay of Plenty are fast becoming an unstoppable force in the NZRL Regional Qualifiers Northern Pool.

They beat Coastline 46-6 in Tauranga yesterday, to make it two from two in the competition.

Coach Paniora Daniels said the Lakers started the game slowly, leading 14-6 at halftime, but their skill and fitness shone as they hit their straps in the second half.

"It was a bit tough in the first half, but we ran away with it in the end when they got tired. We had our chances in the first half but didn't execute as well as we should've - Coastline came out firing too.

"In the second half we started going back up the middle and stuck to our processes, we were a bit more patient," Daniels said.

The game's kick-off was delayed an hour after an injury in the game beforehand, and Daniels said that disrupted the side's preparation.

"It was one of those games where it was a bit slow, playing a team that's just been put together it's not that tidy. But, any game we play together is good because we are still building those combinations and we were able to have a look at a different set of players.

"Our defence improved from the game against Northland, which was good. The culture is there and the boys are starting to gel."

Aussie Tuwhangai, who played centre in the previous game, was moved to prop against Coastline and put in a man of the match performance.

"He was really strong up the middle. He's usually a forward but we had him at centre last week because of injury. His versatility is really valuable - he doesn't care where he plays, he just wants to play."

In a Bay of Plenty squad that boasts great depth, the competition for starting spots is heating up.

"Us coaching staff are going to have a bit of a headache trying to pick our best team in the next couple of weeks.

"Destry Tamai came on at hooker and showed he's a classy player too. Dennis Phillips came in at prop and he ran really hard. It is a good headache to have.

"Full credit to Coastline, they put that team together that day and I thought they were really good. Not many have put their hand up to play representative rugby over there, which is a shame, but full credit to them for getting a 17 to play us," he said.

This Saturday Bay of Plenty play Waikato Development at Puketawhero Park in the final round of Northern Pool qualifiers.