East Coast will chase their first win over Wanganui when NPC second division rugby hits Ruatoria's Whakarua Park for the first time today.
The sides have met 16 times - the last clash in 1996 when Wanganui scraped home 14-13 on their way to winning the third division title.
East Coast began
their campaign encouragingly last weekend with a 30-36 loss to second division heavyweights Hawkes Bay in Napier, proving that they would not be the easybeats that some had predicted.
Wanganui lost 15-19 to Manawatu at home in their first match last Sunday.
At Te Kuiti, King Country will look to get their season on track today after losing to Thames Valley 14-16 last Sunday.
Nelson Bays, who had the bye last weekend, are expecting a tough forward encounter.
Coach Bill Liddell said the King Country side played much of the game around the edges of rucks and maul.
"We are in for a very physical confrontation, there will be no question about that."
Hawkes Bay one of the title favourites, face Marlborough at home.
A talented backline that includes former All Blacks' halfback Stu Forster, South African first five-eighths Marius Kriel, and Zimbabwe wingers Karl Mudzamba and Tafadzwa Manyimo should give Hawkes Bay the edge.
Canadian import Eric Forsyth will spearhead Manawatu for the clash against Mid-Canterbury.
The South Island side will find it hard to combat the 1.96m lock on Manawatu's home ground at the Palmerston North Showgrounds Oval today.
- NZPA
