League: Pikiao taught a lesson' as depth is tested

Pikiao Warriors Selwyn Rikiti says his team were taught a lesson in rugby league by Ngaruawahia in the Waicoa Bay premier division match, going down 54-18.

Rikiti said a lack of fitness and player depth was a major contributor in his team's loss at League Park in Ngaruawahia at the weekend.

The Mourea-based side had to resort to using reserve grade players after two of his experienced forwards - Balmain Smith and Daniel Biddle-Hunuhunu - decided to play their rugby league in Australia.

Unlike his Waikato counter-part, Rikiti said Pikiao did not have the player base to be able to pluck players from the lower grade and expect them to compete at this level.

"We were taught a lesson in rugby league by Ngaruawahia. They were impressive and we just couldn't come up to their standards, today anyway ...

"We just didn't have the players. I had to call them up from reserve grade. But you can't take [the win] away from Ngaruawahia. They are a good side and all the Waikato teams are," Rikiti said.

"The [replacement] players that we have got, are players that have been playing reserve grade for the last three or four years and when you step up into this calibre of rugby league, it's a different level altogether."

Rikiti said despite losing the game and losing experienced players it wasn't all doom and gloom for the club.

"Can we win the competition? We're going to be in there and fighting all the way. As far as the sort of the calibre and having the right players - we do lack that, but we've lacked that from day one."

Although, it was a hard slog for the team, he said players such as props Ivor Thomas and Kahu Te Huata battled hard all day.

"The refs [in the Waikato] - the 5m is three and Ngaruawahia capitalised on that. We were slow to capitalise on what the ref deemed as a 5m ruling. They were up on us and we just couldn't get a roll on and that really hurt us, trying to get our big guys going."

Other standouts for Pikiao were standoff Pirikawana "Papa" Taiatini and fullback Connor Hohepa.

"Connor scored two magnificent tries, I think the Stallions selectors are looking at young Connor and also Papa Taiatini, he tried his best and played his heart out to try and keep us in the game. They were both standouts."

It doesn't get any easier for the Warriors with the lakesiders travelling to Tauranga to take on the Otumoetai Eels.

Rikiti said there would have to be a bit of soul-searching by the team if they were going to overcome the Eels who thumped Turangawaewae 40-16 at Paterson Park.

"We've got to turn this thing around in a matter of a week and I think we can. I think [the team] got a little bit blase only having lost one game in the last nine games."