Rugby: Manawatu taking Swamp Foxes as potent threat

Manawatu rugby coach John Fisher is not exactly describing today's NPC second-division assignment as a walk through the valley of death, but he remains wary of the threat posed by Thames Valley at Paeroa.

The Swamp Foxes open their campaign this week after a bye in round one and Fisher, although buoyed by his side's 20-point win over Mid-Canterbury last weekend, was taking nothing for granted.

"They're a pretty settled side. They've got 17 back from last year," he said. "They don't play flash rugby but they do the basics well."

Although he had not done a lot of homework on the Valley lineup, he would be issuing instructions to keep a close eye on returning first five-eighths Terri Rahui, who plays his club rugby in Auckland.

Last year's semifinalists, Hawkes Bay and Nelson Bays, meet again in Napier today for what promises to be an intriguing clash.

Nelson coach Bill Liddell heads to Napier with some trepidation.

"It's going to be a real challenge and one we're looking forward to. King Country was a wakeup call - it certainly has refocused the team," he said, referring to Nelson Bays close 27-17 win.

Hawkes Bay were impressive last weekend, especially Zimbabwean wing Karl Mudzamba, who scored a hat-trick.

Liddell's Hawkes Bay counterpart, Mark Shaw, played down the significance of their 54-20 romp over Marlborough, saying improvements had to be made in several areas, particularly around the breakdown and in defence.

King Country are anxious to bounce back from their loss to Nelson when they meet Wanganui today.

Assistant coach Glynn Meads said the team were sour after failing to secure at least a bonus point against Nelson Bays after a try was disallowed.

"We backed our chances and thought it was a good time to get them," he said.

Meads was wary about Wanganui, who pushed Bay of Plenty desperately close last week before losing 16-19.

In the other game of the round today, Mid-Canterbury travel to Marlborough, who are also seeking their first points of the season.

Bay of Plenty have a bye this weekend.

In the third division, perennial frontrunners Horowhenua-Kapiti and Poverty Bay have the pain of narrow defeats at the business end of last year's competition to lift them to the title this year.

The pair were toppled by eventual champions East Coast in the playoffs last year, Horowhenua-Kapiti losing 20-21 in the semifinals and Poverty Bay 15-18 in a frantic final in Ruatoria.

With the competition kicking off today, both again shape up as leading contenders in a division which could throw up a winner from up to seven of the eight teams.

At the head of the list are the defending champions, East Coast, who appear even stronger than last year. North Otago, South Canterbury, West Coast and Wairarapa-Bush also shape as playoff hopes, with the top four in the balance until the final round.

In round one today, Horowhenua host Buller in Levin, East Coast and South Canterbury meet in Ruatoria, North Otago play Wairarapa-Bush in Oamaru and West Coast play Poverty Bay in Greymouth.

- NZPA