Depth key for leaders

FINDING THEIR FEET: After a mixed bag so far in 2016, Marist will be factoring maximum points against Ratana at Spriggens Park tomorrow.PHOTO/FILE

TOMORROW is April 30, not July 23, but the first true gauge on what that particular afternoon for the Tasman Tanning Premier final could be shaped like may well be unveiled at Memorial Park.

The Grand Hotel Challenge Shield game between Waverley Harvesting Border and hosts PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape connects the two unquestioned form teams of the competition thus far.

While other Premier squads have either slipped back from their peak, are dealing with injuries or still tentatively emerging from their shells, Border and Taihape's positions as 1-2 on the table reflect the stability of their squad depth, strong conditioning, and continuity from the front row right through to the outside backs.

For Border, they have notched up 256 points in four matches, although it can be said they have not had the challenges of Taihape - who beat Kaierau at the Country Club before it was realised the town club is back in business this year, and then comfortably disposed of Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist, followed by Utiku Old Boys in the always awkward derby game last weekend.

Certainly, Taihape got more of a practical workout from their townmates than Border would have received in the 95-3 slaughter of the poor Harvey Round Motors Ratana squad at Waverley last Saturday.

In fact, while Taihape have looked sharp with ball in hand, coach Kerry Whale is most proud of his team's defensive record this year - just 44 points conceded of which Kaierau got 28 of them, although this is only seven points better than Border at present.

"The boys are really excited about the challenge, it's a big three weeks for us," said Border coach Ross Williams.

It is a long travel day for the South Taranaki side, who will depart Waverley on the buses at 9.30am to journey with their Senior team, although they are conditioned for it after previously making to the trip to defeat Utiku.

"We're playing a form team, a quality side on their home turf," said Williams.

"We haven't played the top three sides yet, so it's hard to gauge things."

This week's game will be followed by Marist and Kaierau on consecutive weeks for Border.

The key matchups will be the battle of the fullbacks between Taihape's maestro Dane Whale, and the current season MVP leader in Nick Harding.

In the midfield, Taihape's experiment with converted winger Jaye Flaws and big Cyrus Paringatai contrasts the guile of Border's Fraser Middleton and tearaway speed of Kavenui Dabenaise.

Still, both teams also have made trade-offs in absences as Taihape's No8 Tremaine Gilbert is in Dunedin for a month, while Border's top flanker Kieran Hussey also misses three weeks while visiting America.

Border winger Tom Symes has ducked over to Australia to support team mate Jack Lupton with his hydroplane racing campaign in Melbourne.

However, Williams said both lineups have enough quality to cover the gaps and give bench warmers a chance on the big stage.

"Games are won with 22 players, not 15."

Marist coach Jason Hamlin can attest to that as he welcomed back some important faces for the crucial win 35-21 over McCarthy Transport Ruapehu last weekend - the first victory since round one.

But quality winger Cameron Crowley was already come and gone with a twisted ankle, as has outside back Tevita Tui.

Veteran Sean Brown filled in against Ruapehu and is on standby again, although he is unable to attend regular trainings.

"We get some working, others tip over," said Hamlin.

"If we got everybody on the park, we'd have a different team."

Fortunately, Steelie Koro has returned from his calf strain, although twisting a leg in a tackle last week left him ginger for Tuesday's training, while key forward Ryan Gill is back after missing the disappointing loss to Taihape.

"The difference between having someone like Steelie there in the middle, changes the dynamics."

Hamlin has sympathy for his offsider Cornel Mason as the Ratana coach must find some way to lift his team tomorrow after the mauling by Border.

However, even the Marist players want Ratana to bring them something - several were in the young Marist team hammered by Ruapehu 83-7 in 2013, yet showed last weekend that time and dedication can turn it around.

"It'd be good for the competition if they spark up a little," said Hamlin.

In the other games, Ruapehu will host Black Bull Liquor Pirates in Ohakune for the battle of the two former powerhouse clubs, while Kaierau will meet Utiku at the Country Club.