Rugby: Reihana slots neatly into first-five role

By CHRIS RATTUE

Bruce Reihana remains a first five-eighths option for Waikato in the NPC, although coach Kiwi Searancke says Glen Jackson is the province's No 1 choice.

Reihana, who has made his name as an outside back, scored 35 points as Waikato beat North Otago 95-17 in Saturday's Ranfurly Shield match in Oamaru.

It was the first time Reihana, who scored three tries and kicked 10 out of 15 conversions, had played a full match at first five-eighths. Jackson came on in the final stages at fullback.

"I wouldn't call it a raging success, but Bruce showed enough to suggest he could play in that position," Searancke said.

"I wouldn't say he struggled early on, but he looked a bit worried and players at No 8, halfback and first five-eighths have to make so many instant decisions these days.

"I'm still a bit concerned about the goalkicking, though, and I believe that is still where many of the big matches are won, and Glen is proven in that department," he said.

"And we weren't placed under a lot of pressure, which meant we didn't have four or five scrums inside our 22 where he had to clear from.

"But Bruce certainly remains a serious option for us at first-five in the NPC, although Glen is still our No 1."

Jackson's appearance at fullback might also be an indicator of things to come.

If Reihana is used in big matches at first five-eighth, Searancke said he would still like Jackson on the field for his goalkicking.

Searancke rated discarded All Black lock Royce Willis as a star performer in the big wins over West Coast and North Otago, and he was also impressed with Nick Holten's performance at No 8 in Saturday's match.

Holten is likely to be the back-up No 8 to captain Deon Muir.

"The new guys such as Jono Gibbes, Scott Couch and Grant McQuoid all showed me they should be able to make the step up," Searancke said.

Waikato's next defence of the shield is against Wanganui in Tokoroa on July 22.

That match will kick off at 12.30 pm to avoid a clash with the All Blacks' tri-nations test against South Africa in Christchurch that afternoon.

The Waikato club semifinals are played the day after the match in Tokoroa which could affect selections for the Ranfurly Shield defence against a Wanganui side who won just two games in the second division last season.

Searancke wants to put out his strongest combination against North Harbour in the final warm-up game at Albany on August 5.