Clean bill of health fuels optimism

Fullback Jason Temara and the rest of Wanganui's new-look backline got a pass mark last week against Thames Valley. It will be an even sterner task against North Otago tomorrow. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

Oamaru is known for the plush natural beauty of the Waitaki District, some of New Zealand's finest 19th century architecture, and a little graveyard out the back filled with the headstones of visiting Wanganui rugby teams.

But while Steelform Wanganui must find a way to reverse an ominous trend of just one win from six trips to North Otago since 2002, coach Karl Hoskin has confidence after a training week with every player at his disposal.

"There's no reason why we shouldn't go down there and win," he said.

In a first, there is only one change to the starting XV which disposed of Thames Valley 28-8 last Saturday, as Sonny Woodmass has swapped with Andrew Evans at lock to shore up the scratchy lineout.

Snaffling their own throws on every occasion from hooker Karl Parker will be vital if Wanganui can keep their hopes of a Meads Cup semifinal appearance alive, which is the objective for both sides tomorrow, who are separated by a point on the Pink Batts Heartland table with three games remaining.

"Sonny coming in just with his height and ability at No2 [jumper] gives us a couple more options," said Hoskin.

"We've worked quite hard on those combinations this week so we're looking forward to it.

"It's pretty much the first game in the campaign with no major injuries."

The coach has also given the thumbs up to last weekend's backline, with the good news their impetuous halfback Lindsay Horrocks has recovered from his bruised hip.

"We got quick go-forward ball, we were quick out wide and our bench came on and did what we asked of them," said Hoskin.

Tryscoring winger Sailosi Naqiso will continue to range outside the midfield combination of big second-five Soonalote Tauailoto and centre Ace Malo, who have established a pattern and hopefully creased over their issues of missed timing and unnecessary cut-out passes.

Like a couple of rottweilers eyeing each other up through a chain link fence, Wanganui and North Otago have kept track of each other's progress, or lack thereof, since the start of the season.

Beaten in their opening two games, both sides had speed wobbles but claimed narrow victories over the next fortnight, before really hitting their straps last Saturday.

Given that Wanganui just scraped past Poverty Bay (25-21) on September 14, it is disconcerting North Otago went to the same spot and ran in seven tries for their biggest blowout this season, winning 53-18 last Saturday.

On the other hand, South Canterbury disposed of North Otago 21-15 in Timaru on August 31 but could not withstand Wanganui's second half comeback in Cooks Gardens a week later, losing 24-23.

Like Wanganui, North Otago are able to search two neighbouring ITM unions for talent and while Hoskin chooses to be conservative in this regard, there will be three Otago loan players plus two from Canterbury in the frame tomorrow.

Their English import first-five Edward Keohane is a handy kicker and has 46 points for the year, two points behind Wanganui's Zyon Hekenui, who has shown great temperament with the boot.

Wanganui have a later 3.30pm flight to Timaru today, followed by an just over an hour's drive to Oamaru. They are scheduled to arrive around 7pm.

Kickoff is 2.30pm tomorrow.