Rugby: One-point loss puts Whakarewarewa under pressure

Whakarewarewa's Te Rangi Fraser eyes up a gap in the Greerton defensive line. Photo / Andrew Warner

The beauty of the Baywide Premier Rugby format is that with only five rounds played, some teams are already feeling the pressure.

At the end of round one, the top eight teams make up the Premier 1 division, while the bottom four join the top teams from Division 1 in Premier 2.

It means that, although early in the season, the competition already has a playoff-like intensity about it as teams scrap for a top-eight spot. It may not be ideal for the blood pressure of coaches whose teams are under the pump, but for fans the theatre is unparalleled.

One of those teams feeling the heat is Whakarewarewa, whose 18-17 loss to Greerton away on Good Friday was their third in a row.

The men in red and black are not quite at panic stations, they did win their first two games against Te Teko and Ōpōtiki, but coach Boxer Smith says they probably need to win three of their last four games to make the eight.

"[Against Greerton on Friday] I think our boys actually turned a corner in terms of gelling together as a unit, especially the forwards. I thought our forward pack pretty much dominated the game at the set piece and the physicality side of the rucks.

"It was just unfortunate, we had opportunities and our backs didn't quite complement the hard work the forwards had done. That's an area we need to focus on in the near future."

Whakarewarewa's run home comprises games against Rangataua, Rotoiti, Rangiuru and Mount Maunganui, three of which are at home, and Smith is confident his side can get across the line.

"It's pretty frustrating at the moment because we do have a very talented side but at the moment they're playing more like a team of champions rather than a champion team. I think when it all clicks our boys will be pretty lethal.

"We just need to stick together and when we get that sorted I think we'll be pretty effective. I think it's a unity thing, connection, especially in the playmaker roles - the links between the forwards and the backs.

"There are still definitely positives, the effort is there, they're trying really hard. In saying that, full credit to Greerton, they really put it all on the line and boxed above their weight yesterday."

Whakarewarewa's Dylan Towler throws a pass from the back of a ruck against Greerton. Photo / Andrew Warner

Greerton coach Kane Parker says Friday's game was great for the spectators but tense for the coaches.

"I think we just played the full 80 minutes. Whaka are a side with some large lads so we knew if we maintained our defensive system and shut their time and space down, we'd be in the fight. I think Whakarewarewa could be a real force to be reckoned with going into the second round."

He says the win on Friday was "hugely important" for Greerton's top-eight aspirations. They now have two wins, a draw and two losses this season.

"There's no such thing as bonus points anymore, we needed the four points, every point matters. We're about mid-table at the moment but hopefully that win has galvanised our boys a little bit. They've come a long way already this season."

Baywide Rugby Results
Premier:
Arataki 62 Ōpōtiki 5, Tauranga Sports 59 Rotoiti 21, Greerton Marist 18 Whakarewarewa 17, Rangataua 15 Mount Maunganui 44, Te Teko 0 Te Puke Sports 51, Te Puna 17 Rangiuru 27.

Premier Development:
Arataki 38 Ōpōtiki 24, Tauranga Sports 96 Rotoiti 7, Greerton Marist 35 Whakarewarewa 14, Rangataua 26 Mount Maunganui 5, Te Teko 10 Te Puke Sports 53, Te Puna 63 Rangiuru 10.

Division 1:
Poroporo 5 vs Ngongotahā 81, Murupara 19 vs Marist St Michael's 26, Ruatoki 37 vs Kahukura 25, Judea vs Whakatāne Marist 34, Paroa 20 vs Waikite 17, Pāpāmoa 19 Reporoa 19.

Western Bay Senior Reserves:
Eastern Districts 38 Judea 7, Tauranga Sports 17 Matakana Island 22, Te Puna 12 Katikati 31 (Katikati retain the Mac Moore Cup), Greerton Marist - bye.