Rugby: Leaders face inspired oppostion

Joint third division leaders Poverty Bay and East Coast face inspired opponents in the fourth round today.

Poverty Bay host Buller, who, after recording their first competition win in three years when they beat Howowhenua-Kapiti a fortnight ago, had three points deducted this week for fielding unregistered players.

That dropped them to the bottom of the competition alongside neighbours West Coast.

Defending champions East Coast face South Canterbury in Timaru, where South Canterbury have beaten allcomers in the division previously.

South Canterbury coach Ken Tarrant welcomed the home game after three weeks on the road.



Poverty Bay coach Brett Fell has made one change to the side who thumped West Coast last week.

Former Waikato B skipper Stu Ensor replaces the unavailable Jason Ashford at No 8.

Wairarapa-Bush are seriously challenging for a playoff berth and a win over West Coast could see them in first or second place.

West Coast have struggled with their forward play.

"At the moment our forwards just seem to lack a bit of leadership and we really need the experienced players to step up," West Coast manager Doug Sail said.

Wairarapa team manager Derek Wilson said his side would have to heed their game plan - unlike last week when they kept the game very tight and lost 14-19 to North Otago.

The clash of the round will perhaps be in Oamaru where North Otago host Horowhenua-Kapiti.

"It's important that we keep building on what we're trying to achieve," North Otago coach Glen Moore said.

North Otago beat Wairarapa-Bush last Saturday but will be without forward Wayne Miller, who has a shoulder injury.

- NZPA