A look at today's Heartland Championship rugby between Wanganui and Poverty Bay:
HEARTLAND COMBATANTS: Where: Cooks Gardens, 2.30pm today: Steelform Wanganui:
15 Roko Bativagone, 14 Juan Visser, 13 Logan Vaughan, 12 Steelie Koro, 11 Brendon Bartley/Mitieli Dravo, 10 Leon Mason, 9 Denning Tyrell (capt), 8 Matt Gilbert, 7 Peter Rowe, 6 David Gower, 5 Dean Barr, 4 John Smyth, 3 Sheldon O'Hagan, 2 Cole Baldwin, 1 Mike Thompson. Subs: Shane Ratima, Nemia Adrole, Justin Lock, Fraser Hammond; Ricky Alabaster, Daniel Hooper, Bartley/Dravo. Poverty Bay: 15 Tim Gardner, 14 Hone Kaa, 13 Jared McClutchie, 12 Ian Logan, 11 James Warren, 10 Scott Leighton (capt), 9 Shane Leach, 8 Malakai Ravulo, 7 Quentin King, 6 Sione Ngatu, 5 Willie Hallgarth, 4 Murray Hewson, 3 Colin Horvell, 2 Andrew Cribb, 1 Jamie Hutana. Subs: Aaron Wise, Josh Maynard, Chris Bell, Doug Rehu, Piripi Douglas, Campbell Te Rito, Jack Brooking. Referee: Ben Skeen (Auckland). Touch judges: Neil Forlong, Steve Robinson.
Curtainraiser: Wanganui U20 versus Poverty Bay U20, Cooks Gardens, 12.55pm.
TEAM RECORDS: Last year (at Gisborne): Wanganui 41 Poverty Bay 30. 2006: Poverty Bay (won Lochore Cup): In round-robin - played 8, won 5, lost 3; 323pts for, 238pts against. Playoffs: Beat Buller 34-10 (semi); beat King Country 46-34 (final). Leading scorers: Scott Leighton 115 points.
Wanganui (beaten finalist in Meads Cup): Round-robin played eight, won 7, drew 1; 353pts for, 179pts against. Playoffs: Beat Mid Canterbury 30-17 (semi); lost to Wairarapa Bush 14-16 (final). Leading scorers: Steelie Koro 100; Pati Fetuai 70pts (14 tries).
WHAT THE COACHES SAY:
Poverty Bay's Paul Feeney on his expectations: "To win. End of story. We're good enough to play well, I don't care who we meet. I have respect for Wanganui, they're a good side but we certainly won't go into any match in the Heartland this year just thinking about making up the numbers."
Wanganui's back coach Guy Lennox on the move of midfield/wing Roko Bativagone to fullback: "I'm confident he can play anywhere. All is asked him was whether he would be comfortable back there he said he was comfortable anywhere. He's quite a rare talent, but so far he hasn't been getting the ball in his hands enough."
Wanganui team coach Milton Haig on the game's importance: "Our players don't need reminding. The reality is that whoever loses this game could find it very tough. I don't think either team is under any illusions about that."
Feeney on Wanganui's loss of attacking power: "Ateria Ateria is a big loss he killed us last year. He and the big guy (Pati Fetuai), these two were major, major players for Wanganui. But Wanganui still has some very good players, Vaughan and a couple of Fijians out wide and Tyrell, Mason and Koro are all experienced and good ball distributors."
Haig on Wanganui's lineout and it's problems against Buller:"Poverty Bay have a good lineout they killed us last year and the year before, but if we're accurate about what we do, we will win the vast share of our own ball."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Poverty Bay: 1: Skipper and first-five Scott Leighton he's no sprinter, but over the years has developed a fine passing game and controls a match very well.
2: No 8 Malakai Ravulo former No 7 now at No 8, and looking bigger and stronger. A lively customer. 3: Ian Logan, second five-eighths strong man who caused Wanganui problems last year.
Wanganui: 1: Peter Rowe at No 7 fresh after a quiet rugby season, likely to shine.
2: Second-five Steelie Koro should be much better for his run against Buller.
3: Fullback Roko Bativagone relatively new to the position, given full permission to attack.
POOL B ratings: Team P W D L PF PA Tot North Otago 2 2 0 0 82 31 9 Wanganui 2 1 0 1 43 19 6 Poverty Bay 2 1 0 1 35 38 4 S Canterbury 2 1 0 1 16 29 4 Buller 2 1 0 1 39 66 4 East Coast 2 0 0 2 5 37 1
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