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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Rugby league rivals go head to head in local derby

David Beck
By David Beck
Multimedia sports journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·
30 Jun, 2017 06:35 PM3 mins to read

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BREAK AWAY: Pikiao player Noel Te Rangi scored twice in his side's 40-24 win over Ngongotaha in April. The sides face-off for the second time this season at Puketawhero Park this afternoon. PHOTO/FILE

BREAK AWAY: Pikiao player Noel Te Rangi scored twice in his side's 40-24 win over Ngongotaha in April. The sides face-off for the second time this season at Puketawhero Park this afternoon. PHOTO/FILE

Expect plenty of passion and more hits than the Beatles at Puketawhero Park this afternoon.The Pikiao Warriors take on the Ngongotaha Chiefs in what is often a fiery local derby.

When the fixture list comes out at the start of the season you would expect this to be the game that both sides eye up in anticipation as local bragging rights go up for grabs.

Ngongotaha have a point to prove after going down 40-24 when the sides met in April, while Pikiao will be eager to bounce back from just their second loss of the season, against Pacific last weekend.

Pikiao coach Jason Parata said this game meant a lot to his team and there was a fierce rivalry.

Despite winning when the sides met earlier in the season, Parata wanted to see a better performance from his side today.

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"We won in the first round but it was an ugly game - the discipline wasn't there from either side.

"If we can be disciplined and stick to our processes we'll be all right.

"They're a big physical pack and our guys will need to keep their composure.

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"They've got some quality players - I think the first round they were a bit unfit but if they've gotten a lot fitter [they'll be harder to beat].

"Like any local rivalry it's a good feeling to get one over them so we'll be trying hard to get another one," Parata said.

During the week Pikiao had worked on moving on from their 36-16 loss against Pacific and rebuilding the bond between players.

They were right in the game against Pacific, going into halftime locked up at 12-all, but a "flat" second half saw their opposition race away to a comfortable win.

"I think it was the nature of the loss, the way we lost it. I know a few of the boys were disappointed."

Ngongotaha have won just two games this season but you would not bet against them pulling one out of the bag against neighbours Pikiao.

Coach Jason Walker said the derby was always a "battle".

"It goes back a long way - well before my time.

"It's usually quite physical, it will be a tough game."

Walker said Pikiao's greatest strength was they never gave up, as they had proven this season with several comeback wins.

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Ngongotaha had the bye last weekend, which is usually a valuable opportunity to rest and recuperate.

However, Walker said the break may have been "detrimental" because his side was building some momentum on the back of a 44-30 win over Taupo.

"We showed some good form against Taupo and we were hoping to get some trainings in last week ... but we were lacking numbers at training.

"It would've been a good opportunity to work on a few things we needed to.

"But, the boys are keen this week and looking forward to the game - they looked pretty good at training on Tuesday."

He said his side's lack of discipline had been an issue against Pikiao in the past.

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"That's been a big concern of ours this season, it's really hit us.

"We're trying to up the tempo at training so they get used to being under pressure."

Despite the strong desire to get one over their neighbours, both coaches agreed the clubs had a healthy respect for one another.

Coastline/Bay of Plenty premier rugby league:

Saturday, 2.30pm
Ngongotaha v Pikiao at Puketawhero Park
Mangakino v Pacific at Hickling Park
Taneatua v Taupo at Te Teko Pavilion
Otumoetai BYE

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