Rugby: Rotoiti push defence mantra

Rotoiti play their first game at home this weekend. Pictured is Rotoiti's Jason Whareaitu in action this season. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotoiti senior player Joe Royal says the key to his team having a successful season this year will be defence - ahead of a tough fixture against Te Puna in round three.

The Baywide premier rugby competition rolls into round three tomorrow with Rotoiti hosting Te Puna at Emery Park.

"Our big focus is defence. Defence will win us games," Royal said. "If we can shut them out from scoring points, and hopefully turn that into attack and score more tries or convert more penalties we should be okay."

Rotoiti lost their first match of the season against local rivals Whakarewarewa, in a tough derby match, but posted a good win over Paroa last weekend.

"We are tracking alright. We had a hard game first up against Whaka, but we tried to back it up last week against Paroa," he said.

"This week we will take a look at the footage from the Te Puna-Whaka match and look to see where Whaka opened Te Puna up and go from there."

Whakarewarewa, Rotorua's only other premier side, escaped with a 10-all draw against Te Puna last weekend away from home. Te Puna led 10-0 with about 10 minutes remaining in the match but Whaka managed to salvage the draw.

Whaka host heavyweights Te Puke Sports at Puarenga Park tomorrow in a match which will no doubt draw a huge crowd.

The two clubs met in their semifinal last year with Whaka going into the break ahead before the Te Puke forwards took control of the game and powered to victory.

Baywide draw for tomorrow (round three):

Premier (2.45pm): Rangataua v Tauranga Sports at Te Ariki Park, Whakarewarewa v Te Puke Sports at Puarenga Park, Greerton Marist v Mount Maunganui at Greerton Park, Rotoiti v Te Puna at Emery Park, Opotiki v Paroa at Princess St Reserve, Arataki v Whakatane Marist at Arataki Park.

Development grade games kick-off at 1pm.

Division One (2.45pm): Ruatoki v Rangiuru at Tuhoe Park, Katikati v Waikite at Moore Park, Te Teko v Ngongotaha at Dunderdale Park, Judea v Poroporo at Maharaia Winiata, Kahukura v Papamoa at Kuirau Park. Marist St Michael's the bye.