Ngongotaha coach seeks sharper defence

Ngongotaha player Tai Kapua. Photo/File

Ngongotaha Chiefs must improve their defence in order to get a result today against Otumoetai Eels, according to head coach Joe Taute.

The bottom-of-the-table side have a difficult challenge ahead against their fourth-placed opposition in round eight of the Waicoa Bay premiership.

Ngongotaha have struggled this season with only one win under their belt, and must pick themselves up after a crushing 44-4 away defeat to Taupo Phoenix in their last game.

Taute has targeted the defence as a "must improve," area, after conceding 256 points this season, and insists his side must play as a unit and not individuals which has affected recent performances.

"We have been looking very closely at our defence in the last couple of weeks because it really was a weak part of our game," he said. "We must put in a team performance at home or we have no chance.

"The side has to be up in their faces and compete from the off. We also must look to complete the plays and build on from there."

However, Taute's side have a fighting chance as Otumoetai come into the game in search of a result after a 49-20 defeat at home to third-place Taniwharau, last weekend. And Ngongotaha are level on points with fellow league strugglers Turangawaewae and United.

"It's a very tight pack at the bottom of the table and if we get a good result this weekend it could give us a massive boost," said Taute.

"We have to use the home advantage and have belief in ourselves. If we get the crowd behind us then I don't see why we can't get a result. At the moment our focus is to set things up nicely for the second round of the competition so it's vital that we put in a positive performance."

Meanwhile, Pikiao Warriors will look to get their first back-to-back wins this weekend when they take on Turangawaewae away.

Pikiao are in sixth place in the league but only a point behind Taupo Phoenix and Ngongotaha's opponents today.

Coach Henry Lingman is confident of getting a win but has warned that his players must make a quick start in the game.

"On paper we should get the result, but we have to be wary of them because they are just behind us," he said. "I was happy with last week's result but we made it hard for ourselves in the end. We needed to complete our sets and keep our tackles lower.

"This week I want to see players awake on the whistle because we keep having a very slow start and it's as if the players are asleep.

"That isn't good enough and we will be made to pay if that keeps happening."