Mark Davis, former NZ Heartland first-five, opted to head back to Taranaki. Photo/File
Expectations: Manageable, at least for now.
Neither 2013 semifinalist Waverley Harvesting Border nor 2013's rapid improvers Marton are pushing any panic buttons despite defeats in their recent games during the earlier start to the 2014 Tasman Tanning Premier season.
Both have tough away assignments this Saturday Border travel to the Country Club to face Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau, who despite defeat to McCarthy's Ruapehu and Taihape have already scored over 50 points, while Marton have to face the hot Pirates in a guaranteed physical clash of Polynesian power at Spriggens Park.
For new Border coach Ross Williams, replacing Peter Richardson, the opening fortnight has been spent collecting all the components for what he hopes by the end of this month will be a competitive squad.
Last year, Border spent the start of March sending a combined Premier and Senior team on a short tour to Australia, but this season's early kickoff left them just one hitout a "tackling practice" match against Feilding in which the strong Manawatu club made all the running.
Williams is filling his ranks with personnel from last year's senior team, who were outweighed by the Pirates' heavyweights in the 25-14 loss at home last week.
The coach said his honest goal was two wins from the first four games.
"In my eyes we're playing preseason now, to a degree," he said. "We didn't have a preseason, got a number of guys out injured or coming back from other commitments. The younger guys, at the moment, I'm rapt with how they're going."
The biggest loss,"tactically, more than anything" was former NZ Heartland first-five Mark Davis, who returned to Taranaki last year.
But if that ITM Cup province taketh, it can also giveth, as former Taranaki and Wanganui representative No8 Ray Stark has returned and made an immediate impact to lead the Premier MVP standings, although out for this weekend.
Top lock Sam Madams is likewise injured while lock/loosie John Laurie is about three weeks away, however another big Taranaki pickup is Kieran Hussey, formerly of 2013's Taranaki championship-winning Southern club.
Mercurial fullback Fraser Middleton may be available for the first time tomorrow, while slotting in seamlessly has been 19-year-old goal kicking winger Bobo Ulukuta, younger brother of Pirates captain Lasa.
Having climbed from ninth to fifth in 2013, Marton want better than the 15 minutes of good rugby they played in their 18-14 loss to Marist at home on opening weekend.
Coming off the bye, assistant coach Justin Lock said they were still putting together a workable backline, as they did not deserve to win against Marist despite nearly pulling off the comeback with two late tries.
With Tauriki Manawatu having departed after one year with the club, Marton have welcomed former Wanganui centre Saul Chase, however he is currently suffering from an infected knee.
Also being told to take it easy on his injured knee, in spite of himself, is powerful Wanganui representative midfielder Soonalote Tauailoto, who Lock said is likely to only make a cameo off the bench.
"He says he's all right, but we're suspicious.
"If he thinks he's all right, we need to drip-feed him in, week by week."
Wanganui Development XV winger/fullback Moli Sagapolutele is the bolter out wide, while a number of key Marton forwards who missed the Marist game to attend a wedding are now back in the frame.
As well as form, Marton will be fighting historical precedent in town tomorrow.
Their last victory over Pirates on Spriggens Park was 23 years ago a 19-6 win in 1991.
In Taihape, Utiku Old Boys have drawn the short draw of being the first to suffer the backlash of a wounded Ruapehu after the champions surrendered the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield to Ratana last weekend.
The newly minted Ratana team will be out to prove their upset was no flash in the pan when they defend the shield against the unbeaten Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at the Pa.