Victory crucial after season of struggle

GRUNT AND GRIT: Ngongotaha player Tai Kapua and his teammates need to up their game against Taupo Phoenix today. PHOTO/FILE

BOTTOM-OF-THE-TABLE Ngongotaha Chiefs have a tough task this afternoon in a must-win Waicoa Bay premiership game.

The side travels to Hickling Park to take on fourth-placed Taupo Phoenix.

The Chiefs, who are struggling this season with just one win to their name, go into the game on the back of a disappointing 52-26 defeat against Pikiao Warriors last weekend.

Head coach Joe Taute managed to take some positives from the match, including an improvement on previous weeks' performances, however he wants to see his side show more "grunt" and "skilful play".

"In the last game we have something to build on because we stuck together, and for some of the players it was their very first game," said Taute.

"But against Phoenix we have to be stronger in all areas of the pitch and more skilful with the ball."

Taupo Phoenix are the favourites for the game having won three out of five games this season, including last Saturday's closely fought 34-28 victory over seventh-placed United.

However, Phoenix head coach Craig Hiha is taking nothing for granted and is concerned about the injuries in his team at present.

"It was a very tough and very ugly game last week, and I was just glad to scrape through with that result because we have about four or five key players out at the moment," he said.

"It's been a very tricky season so far and at the moment we are just trying to focus on getting players back in form and working on our fitness.

"Ngongotaha are certainly not going to roll over, and they will be very hard to beat. They have a lot of young talent in the squad that just needs a bit of time to develop. They will want the win over us and I'm expecting a tough scrap."

Pikiao Warriors, who are currently sixth in the division, will look to build on last weekend's win over the Chiefs when they take on third-placed Otumoetai Eels on home turf at Puketawhero Park.

However, Warriors head coach Henry Lingman has stated that his side will have to show a much more "polished performance" from that against the Chiefs.

"We were far too scrappy - don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the result but the players went totally away from the game plan and tried to muscle them up, which is something we can't afford to do this week."

Today's games

Waicoa Bay Premiership (all 2.30pm kick-off):
Hamilton City Tigers v United, Resthills Park, Hamilton; Taupo Phoenix v Ngongotaha Chiefs, Hickling Park, Taupo; Taniwharau v Turangawaewae, Davies Park, Huntly; Pikiao Warriors v Otumoetai Eels, Puketawhero Park, Rotorua; Pacific Sharks bye.

Waicoa Bay Reserves (all 1pm kick-off):
Taniwharau v Trurangawaewae, Davis Park, Huntly; Reporoa Razorbacks v Central Lions, Hickling Park, Taupo; Pikiao Warriors v Otumoetai Eels, Puketawhero Park Field, Rotorua; Hamilton City Tigers v United, Resthills Park, Hamilton; Pacific Sharks, bye.

Bay of Plenty/Coastline Division 1 (1pm kick-off):
Papamoa Bulldogs v Tauhara Te Maunga, Gordon Spratt, Papamoa; Mangakino Hawks v Taneatua Warriors, Mangakino Rugby Club, Mangakino; Putauaki Stags bye.