Rugby: East Coast grateful skipper can play

Third Division

East Coast's hopes of reaching their second successive NPC third-division rugby final received a major boost when captain Wirihana Raihania was cleared of stomping by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's judiciary this week.

Raihania will lead from the front against Wairarapa-Bush in the semifinal at Ruatoria tomorrow.

East Coast have had tight matches against West Coast and Horowhenua-Kapiti in the past fortnight, when they relied on determination and character to see them through.

Those attributes will be required again tomorrow in what is expected to be their hardest game of the season.

East Coast coach Joe McClutchie acknowledged that the prospects of losing Raihania for the semifinal had been a big concern.

But with Raihania back, East Coast could now concentrate on the game.

"It has been a tight competition and as defending champions all the sides have tried to have a go at us," McClutchie said. "However, we know what we have to do."

McClutchie was not prepared to talk about his strategies but said he would not make any changes to the side who pipped Horowhenua-Kapiti 31-30 in Auckland last weekend.

He did however, admit Wairarapa-Bush would be tough.

North Otago play Poverty Bay in their semifinal in Oamaru today.

North Otago won their last seven matches in succession to qualify for the semifinals.

They beat Poverty Bay 46-7 last weekend and are favoured to qualify for the final for the first time since 1997 and the second time in the province's history.

East Coast: Doone Harrison, Jason Bright, Tyrone Delamere, Graeme Walker, Koro Ngarimu, Mano Flutey, Victor Taingahue, Wirihana Raihania (capt), Morgan Wirepa, Jason Bellamy, Kele Leawere, Horace Lewis, Tainui Forrester, Derek Leefe, Tane Rickard. Reserves: Johnny Nukunuku, John Wyllie, Morgan Waitoa, Monty Manuel, Simon Christie, Tuck Morice.

Wairarapa-Bush:James Reilly, Sam Booth, Robert Hooper, Jamie-Stewart McDonald, Thomas Gemmell, Peter Bresaz, James Bruce, Mike Robinson (capt), Wal Frith, Norm Henrickson, Stu Smith, Germaine Anaha, Takai TeTure, Wai Heyblom, Justin Va'a. Reserves: Mark Percy, Patrick Rimene, Anton Persico, Joe Harwood, Vern Boyce, Matua Puia and Cam Woodhouse.

North Otago: Grant Johnston, Dean Paterson, Matt Saunders, Mike Mavor, Toetu Palamo, Simon Porter, Justin Rawcliffe, Regan Laughton, Ross Hay, Karl Christenson, Nathan Archibald, Hunter Darry, Bill Tapealava, Barry Fox (capt), Hotili Asi. Reserves: Pila Fifita, Ali Fanene, Ricky McLaren, Jason Jones, Daryl O'Kane, Atalea Katoa, Jimmy Mavor.

Poverty Bay: Warren Banks, Theo Jones, Willie Lardelli, Mike Morrisey, Maurice Kerekere, Sam Howe, Trevor Crosby, Jason Ashford, Brent Ingram, Stu Ensor, James Robertson, Toka Liku, Tom Miki, Grant Allen (capt), Pene Fotuaki. Reserves: Kahu Tamatea, Jack Moeke, Carlos Battes, Grainger Heikell, Jamie Hutana, Ron Tamatea, Johnny Martin.

- NZPA