Rugby: Derby evens up the odds

Taihape flanker/lock Johnson Hiroa scoring one of his two tries in the 33-7 win over Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Memorial Park last Saturday. Photo/Kath Bodley

Forget previous form, forget sitting at opposite ends of the Tasman Tanning Premier points table, it counts for nothing in the local derby at Memorial Park.

While Taihape have the opportunity to move up to second spot tomorrow with a victory over their eighth-placed neighbours Utiku Old Boys, if they get a bonus point victory, the red and blacks are under no illusions how tight the contest will be.

"Absolutely, don't you worry, we're treating it like they're at the top of the table," said Taihape manager Anthony Martin.

"They seem to grow another two legs when they play us really good battles."

There were simply too many home-town bragging rights at stake Martin said.

A bumper crowd was expected, judging from how many people had been talking about the match and the close connections between the squads.

For example, Martin and his opposing manager Bradley Fannin are workmates.

"I told him, 'we're still mates till Friday, then she's all on'," Martin said.

Carrying a calf on his back while the farm dogs were barking in the background, Utiku captain Chris Hansen expressed similar thoughts on the phone yesterday.

"She's serious stuff," he said.

"Taihape would have to be in the box seat, they're playing well and they've got good numbers.

"But on the day, it's a different kind of thing two teams that are flat at it."

In round 1 last year the sides fought to a 17-17 stalemate, then with Taihape's semifinal spot in jeopardy on the last weekend of the regular season, they prevailed 21-12 after a late Utiku comeback from 21-0 down.

Taihape have been reinforced with goalkicking fullback Luke Whale back on the park to join brother Dane, while second-five Jeremy Gilbert has recovered from his April 12 concussion against Ratana.

Centre Cyrus Paringatai was on the bench last week against Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist after breaking his toe, although not feeling 100 per cent, and Martin passed on the encouragement to "harden up".

Frontrower Daniel Tehuia has also returned, although not at top fitness, after being injured in preseason.

"It was quite a shock, having four available props," said Martin.

"We've been running on 16-17 [players], just when you think you're getting someone back, someone pulls out."

After having players away at dog trials, while thankful for the bye over the first weekend of duck season, Hansen said Utiku would have no problem fronting with a full 22.

"We will have 30 players wanting to play for each team this week."

The country team introduced two of their new Fijian imports in their first win two weeks ago over Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 24-10, and although Hansen said the island players had adjusted well, the victory was more to do with the whole squad coming together after their disjointed early season.

"We were pretty close to a win, we were just building. Close to Marist and Pirates," Hansen said.

"It was just timely that they turned up when we were starting to hit straps."

In the other games, it is a weekend for local derbies as Kaierau will host the undefeated Integrity Motors Pirates at the Country Club, while Harvey Round Motors Ratana will defend the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield against fellow Rangitikei sub-union team Speirs Food Marton in the clash they lost at Marton Park last year 13-0.

Marist have their third tough assignment in a row against Waverley Harvesting Border at Spriggens Park.