Wanganui Rugby
The stage is set for what will likely be 2014's biggest grudge match in the Tasman Tanning Premier rugby during the final round-robin tomorrow.
Surprisingly, this does not refer to the Spriggens Park derby between Integrity Motors Pirates and Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist, in the return game from the often-spiteful May 17 clash when one player was sent off and five others sinbinned.
Instead, a war of words will be settled out on Rochfort Park tomorrow and more likely next weekend as well, beginning with what was already the main match of the round as McCarthy's Ruapehu host Taihape to decide the final makeup of the Top 4. And with the typical reports of possible snowfall in Ohakune, it is not just the weather that will provide Taihape with a frosty reception, not to mention a little tactical foxing from the visitors adding to the spice.
Having run with a skeleton crew of 17-18 players for most of their campaign, Taihape manager Anthony Martin confirmed last night that coach Kerry Whale was likely to leave a number of key players on the bench tomorrow, starting instead with regular reserves and others called up from the senior team.
Standouts like first-five Tom Wells (back injury) and No 8 Tremaine Gilbert (appendicitis) had been doubtful anyway, but flanker Marcus Tottman, hooker Rimu Wipaki, prop Ritchie Iorns, and fullback Dane Whale will also be probable second stringers in Ohakune, while prop Slade Hay-Horton is a maybe as eight stitches are being removed from his knee after last week's bruising derby with Utiku Old Boys.
Martin said they will still take the match seriously, despite seemingly settling for an Ohakune semi-final, rather than marshalling full resources to try and finish third and face either Pirates or Waverley Harvesting Border.
"Realistically, we've got to go up there and beat them 20-0 with four tries," said Martin.
"We had a big discussion, one of the boys mentioned default, and Kerry nearly blew his head off. We're not laying down, no way in hell."
Discussions with several sources around Wanganui rugby in the past fortnight have alluded to anger in the Ruapehu camp with Whale over comments regarding the mountain men's infringement at the breakdown, while expressing confidence his team could have their number after 21-straight defeats and a narrow 18-11 loss in Round 1.
Upset Ruapehu officials are alleged to have labelled Taihape claims of illegal tactics as hypocritical, although yesterday all comments were being directed to come through coach Chris Winter. There is depth of feeling there, given Winter had been pleased when Speirs Food Marton upset Taihape for the Grand Hotel Memorial Shield on June 28, even though it meant Ruapehu now miss a chance to regain the Shield themselves.
However, all the Ruapehu coach would say yesterday is his team was taking the match "dead serious".
"We want to build for next week. "Being a northern [sub union] game, there's a little bit of rivalry there," said Winter.
Ruapehu should start all their first stringers, although both locks Nick Cranston and Teira Cowan are on the maybe list. The home side will continue with their positional swap of a few weeks ago having George Williams at fullback and Zyon Hekenui at first-five.
"That was a change we thought, not so much needed to happen, but it just happened," said Winter.
"Both of them are playing well."
In the other games, discipline will be the key for Pirates tomorrow against Marist, as not only does Pirates coach Phillip Morris need the win to ensure a home semi-final with Border, but he will want no-one visiting the judiciary afterwards.
Unable to get above the wooden spoon, Utiku Old Boys will have their last match of the year at home against Harvey Round Motors Ratana, while Marton and Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau's game at Marton Park will be for a possible home match in the Consolation semi-finals.