Hoskin knows some hard work needed

After being dropped to the bench a fortnight ago, last weekend's tryscorer Pehira Huwyler returns to second-five tomorrow. PHOTO/FILE A - 240813WCBRCRUGBY10

He can thank the Almighty it will be the shortest road trip of the season, and he did, but Steelform Wanganui coach Karl Hoskin is realistic about any other divine interventions ahead of facing Horowhenua Kapiti in Levin tomorrow.

Now only a mathematical outside chance to scraping through to a Meads Cup semifinal in a fortnight's time, Wanganui's immediate concern is turning around a poor 1-2 away record losses to Buller and North Otago only improved by a late comeback against cellar dwellers Poverty Bay.

While West Coast could do Wanganui a big favour and beat North Otago while allowing them no bonus points in Greymouth, it would need Wanganui to get four tries tomorrow, stop West Coast next weekend and hope Horowhenua Kapiti could pull the Heartland upset of the year down in Oamaru.

If a siege mentality is developing inside their team bubble, Hoskin is diligently keeping up a brave face, as a coach must.

Firstly, is fixing the handling problems that so badly blighted their expedition to Oamaru.

"You can address it in seven days, we've worked on the mental side. At this stage of the programme, if you can't catch the ball you'll never catch the bloody ball," Hoskin said.

"[The team training's] been upbeat. We've been the king of our own demise and we've just got to work harder.

"I'm not even worrying about next week's game and the other games this weekend. If it's Meads Cup great, if it's Lochore fine."

The key change is the return to second five of Pehira Huwyler, who scored coming off the bench last weekend, swapping with Soonalote Tauailoto after two games in midfield combination with Ace Malo.

While Tauailoto had great impact with ball in hand there had been concerns with his distribution, but Hoskin said the experiment had been worth it.

Hooker Roman Tutauha has recovered from injury to come in late yesterday for youngster Robert Lavin on the bench, while veteran Shaun McDonough starts in the front row ahead of Kim McNaught.

The latest newcomer to keep an eye on is Marton pivot Tyler Rogers-Holden, as the reserve halfback Josh Edwards has withdrawn because of knee ligament problems.

Hoskin did well as part of the successful Wanganui Development XV.

While Horowhenua Kapiti have lost both their games in Levin this year, they did what proved beyond Wanganui in round one by beating King Country at their other home ground in Waikanae, winning 19-18 on September 7.

They also gave Top 4 teams Mid Canterbury (9-13) and Wairarapa Bush (15-22) a bit of a fright in the weekend's that bracketed the King Country game.

Wanganui is not the only team to have issues throughout their campaign, with only a bare-bones home team lineup being confirmed yesterday before their final training session. Kickoff is 2.30pm.