Tighter play key to victory: Coach

Ngongotaha captain Courtney Mita and his side face a tough test in Premier 2 this weekend.

Ngongotaha Club captain Roger Whakaue has stressed his side must strengthen their forward pack to compete against a top premier side..

The team will tomorrow host Opotiki, who dropped down from the top tier after the first round, whilst Ngongotaha finished first in Division 1.

Whakaue said it would be a tough test against an opposition side full of quality and Ngongotaha go into the game after a 55-5 away defeat at the hands of Arataki last weekend - another side who recently dropped down into Premier 2.

"Last weekend was a real learning curve for everyone at the club. It was a heavy loss but we are not too disheartened," he said.

"We must take a positive attitude into the match and have the belief that we can challenge top sides in this division. We have to to have any chance of getting a top four place.

"This week we have looked at tightening our play around the ruck and also in the forward pack. We have to be ready up front to make those big challenges. We do have a smaller pack than a lot of sides, and we weren't able to stop the big guys coming through in the last game. I want to see a big improvement from that."

Opotiki come into the game on the back of a first defeat in the newly formatted competition - losing 22-5 away to Paroa last Saturday.

However, coach Dean Elimger is confident his side will get a result and said the youth within the team were providing a great level of pace and fitness.

"Last weekend we were right in it. If a couple of bounces of the ball went our way and a few less mistakes we would have come away with the win," he said.

"Also if last weekend is anything to go by we should do well. We only just lost to Arataki in the first round and last weekend Arataki smoked Ngongotaha.

"A lot of our team are just out of college. We do have a few guys who have previously played prem rugby, but for most it is their first taste.

"The pace that we were playing at will certainly assist us against slower teams, we just need to find those gaps and take advantage."

There is much to play for as the top four finishing teams in Premier 2 will join the top eight premier sides for the 2017 competition.

"We have already over-achieved for this year," said Whakaue.

"But that doesn't mean we don't stop reaching. If we perform we could challenge for the top four spots and we are very much looking at a successful future for this club.

"A win on the weekend will set us on our way and give us another confidence boost."

Tomorrow's games:

Premier 1:
Kick-off 2.45pm/Development kick-off 1pm.

- Rotoiti v Rangatua, Emery Park
- Te Puna v Whakatane Marist, Maramatanga Park
- Greerton Marist v Te Puke, Greerton Park
- Tauranga Sports v Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Domain

Premier 2:
Kick-off 2.45pm/ Development kick-off 1pm.

- Waikite v Poroporo, Bellvue Road
- Ngongotaha v Opotiki, Ngongotaha Domain
- Paroa v Arataki, Lawson Park
- Marist St Michael's v Whakarewarewa, Marist Park

Division 1:
Kick-off 2.45pm/Development kick-off 1pm.

- Judea v Rangiuru, Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park
- Te Teko v Papamoa, Dunderdale Park
- Kahukura v Ruatoki, Kuirau Park
- Katikati v Edgecumbe, Moore Park