Battle of the undefeated

Pirates' Barba Peika in action at Spriggens Park. Border are looking to upset the city club's perfect record in their first road game tomorrow.

Ten months counts for nothing when Waverley Harvesting Border meet Black Bull Liquor Pirates at Dallison Park tomorrow with both undefeated records and the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield on the line.

Last time the sides met in Waverley was last June and served as a changing of the guard, as the future Tasman Tanning Premier champions Border ended two-time defending champions Pirates mathematical chance of reaching the 2016 playoffs, 34-9 in a determined but scrappy affair.

However, only just over a handful of the visiting team from that day will be backing up for their first road trip of the new season, with Pirates leading Border by a bonus point on top of the table as the only unbeaten teams after three rounds.

Typically aggressive recruitment from coach Phillip Morris has seen a number of quality prospects arrive from both the Rangitikei and the islands, notably the Samoan Training Academy

Border coach Justin Lock took note of the message Pirates sent out by beating fellow contenders PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape 33-24 at Spriggens Park last weekend, notably finishing strong rather than tiring in the dying minutes, a previous achilles heel of the predominantly pacific islander-stacked squad.

"They're a different team and they've got some big boys, I don't think [2016] applies at all.

"It will be a challenge. They've beaten teams that are higher [on table] than we've beaten.

"I would have thought Taihape would have got up at the end, but two tries in the last few minutes is a good effort."

Pirates have strengthened their midfield with the skills and timing of second-five Junior Ainea being well complimented by the power of centre Soonalote Tauailoto, and Border could be vulnerable in that area tomorrow without the steady hands of captain Fraser Middleton.

In another big blow, loose forward Kieran Hussey suffered a significant knee injury at training recently and could possibly miss the better part of the season.

However, Lock has quality forwards to burn as lock Chris Breur (concussion) and No8 Hayden Caskey (wisdom tooth), both return this weekend, while the Border club is just dotting the I's and crossing T's with the prospect of securing their own major overseas lock talent from Fiji.

Young flanker Angus Middleton continues to be "outstanding" for the South Taranaki team, and Lock feels he could one day fill the giant shoes being left behind by Peter Rowe at No7 for Steelform Wanganui.

Goalkicking fullback Nick Harding has going to let his coach know during the week if last weekend's hamstring issue was anything more than a twinge, but Lock said the phone has been quiet.

Thanks to their opening game being a derby clash with Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist, Pirates have had the advantage of three straight home matches to start their campaign, so tomorrow represents a big step up for Morris's new charges.

In the other games, Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau will have to pick themselves up as they head over to Memorial Park to meet a likewise smarting Taihape, who are now playing to maintain their Top 4 position with McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu looking to move up after playing one less game.

An in-form Marist will wait to see what Ngamatapouri can bring down from beehive country after they had the bye last weekend and are still working their way towards having a full match day squad of 22.

Ruapehu will back themselves to make it two wins on the trot when they host Utiku Old Boys at Rochfort Park, although it has not been an easy week up in Ohakune with the wild weather.

WRFU club development officer Paul Kenny confirmed yesterday that all Premier and Senior games around the region should be alright to go ahead without concerns about conditions or road slips.