Rugby: Blow for Poverty Bay

Third division

Last year's finalists, East Coast and Poverty Bay, are away this weekend after first-round victories in the third division national rugby championship.

However, Poverty Bay suffered a major blow yesterday when they lost their captain, Mana Pohatu, for today's match against Wairarapa Bush in Masterton.

Blindside flanker Pohatu, who injured his eye at work, was one of the stars of last week's 51-6 win over West Coast.

Wairarapa came from behind to beat North Otago at Oamaru in atrocious conditions last week.

Trailing 5-12 at halftime, Wairarapa staged a remarkable recovery to win 20-15.

"We don't know a lot about Wairarapa except that they have a number of newcomers to the side and they finished well last week, which says a lot for their fitness," Poverty Bay coach Brett Fell said.

Last year's champions, East Coast, head for Oamaru with the intention of collecting successive South Island scalps when they take on North Otago, having toppled South Canterbury in Ruatoria last week.

McClutchie has retained the side who beat South Canterbury.

In the other matches today, West Coast entertain South Canterbury at Greymouth while Horowhenua Kapiti travel to Westport to face Buller.

- NZPA