Whaka on the prowl for third win

Whakarewarewa's Eru Wano and his side look to remain unbeaten in Premier 2 when they take on Arataki today.

Whakarewarewa are aiming to continue their impressive start to the Premier 2 competition as they go on the hunt for their third win in a row.

Premier 1 calibre will be on show today as first placed Whakarewarewa host third placed Arataki, with both sides dropping down into the second division at the end of round one.

The home side go into the game on the back of two empathic away wins - beating Waikite 55-0 and Marist St Michael's 61-0.

Whakarewarewa coach Kopae Irihei said he was pleased with the "solid start" to the newly formatted competition but was wary of facing a fellow former Premier 1 side.

"It has been a hard couple of weeks getting the boys up for games because we had dropped down but we are all looking forward to this game after having two complete wins," he said.

"I'm pleased because we have taken this competition head on and want another win this weekend.

"We want the challenges of playing another premier team. It will give us a decent gage as to where we are and the boys are excited for it.

"Once we saw the draw we have been trying to structure our games around playing sides like this. We are fortunate to play them at home and have to take advantage of that."

Arataki demolished Ngongotaha 52-5 at home in their opening game, however last weekend suffered a narrow 21-20 away defeat to Paroa - another side they dropped down with.

Arataki coach Marty Bourke said the side hadn't had the ideal preparation for the tough fixture and stressed the importance of putting Whakarewarewa under pressure.

"It was disappointing against Paroa as we wanted to put in a good performance to build up for this game," he said.

"With the weekend's loss it highlighted a few areas that we needed to tidy up on and probably putting some of the core duties we were not doing well.

"We know how good Whakarewarewa have been playing and how they were unlucky to miss out on top eight.

"Basics have to be up to scratch this week if we want to be competitive. Whaka have threats all over the field so most of our focus will be on our ability to put them under pressure and keep our composure while taking the few opportunities that come up."

Currently Whakarewarewa top the table with 10 points, with Paroa a point behind in second and Arataki in third on six points.

Elsewhere in Premier 2 seventh placed Waikite face a tough challenge as they take on Paroa at home and the side will have to pick themselves up from last weekend's disappointing 33-34 home defeat to Poroporo.

Sixth placed Marist St Michael's, will look to make amends after last Saturday's heavy home defeat against Whakarewarewa when they take on fifth placed Opotiki away tomorrow.

And Ngongotaha, who are currently bottom of the table, after two defeats including last weekend's frustrating 16-17 loss to Opotiki, travel to take on fourth placed Poroporo.

Tomorrow's draw
Baywide Premier 1
Kick-off 2.45pm/ Development kick-off 1pm
Tauranga Sports v Rotoiti, Tauranga Domain
Whakatane Marist v Greerton Marist, Rugby Park
Mount Maunganui v Te Puke, Blake Park
Rangataua v Te Puna, Te Ariki Park
Baywide Premier 2
Kick-off 2.45pm/ Development kick-off 1pm
Whakarewarewa v Arataki, Puarenga Park
Waikite v Paroa, Bellvue Road
Opotiki v Marist St Michael's, Princess Street Reserve
Poroporo v Ngongotaha, Poroporo Park
Division 1
Kick off 2.45pm
Judea v Katikati, Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park
Te Teko v Kahukura, Dunderdale Park
Rangiuru v Ruatoki, Centennial Park
Edgecumbe v Papamoa, Edgecumbe Domain