IT'S been four seasons in the making but PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape's due diligence in preparation and player development is bearing fruit as they make their first 2016 trip to Spriggens Park to face a confident Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist tomorrow.
The breakout of Taihape at some point seemed inevitable under Wanganui representative centenarian Kerry Whale - who since 2012 has fostered a group of young men who collectively have grown mentally and physically with most of them now either in or on the bubble of representative selections.
But nine straight victories while winning the Paul Mitchell Cup for Tasman Tanning Premier's first round, coupled with holding the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield, is unprecedented for the men from Memorial Park.
Yet for Whale, any slip along the way would now be the "worst possible scenario" as having missed an opportunity at a home semifinal based on the final round robin game defeat last year, he is determined the side must finish No1 to ensure the best possible path to Cooks Gardens on July 23.
This will be tested by a Marist team which emerged with great credit for out-playing Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau at their own 125th anniversary celebrations last Saturday, followed by the always-awkward derby game with Utiku Old Boys, then the big one with No2 team Waverley Harvesting Border at Dallison Park on June 25.
"We want to finish top of the heap, so each game's important. Border are picking up bonus points as well," said Whale.
"We've got a few different [styles of] games up our sleeve now, might have to change it up for our opponent.
"Marist have worked hard in the pre-season. They were a bit disappointing last time we played them, but both teams were different."
The pre-season Wanganui representative team to play Manawatu Evergreens on June 22 at Arena Manawatu reflects the emergence with inspirational Taihape skipper Tremaine Gilbert back in the fold, joined by first-five Dane Whale after returning to the local club scene, young prop Hadlee Hay-Horton and big ranging centre Cyrus Paringatai.
"Our key guy that deserves wholeheartedly to be in that game is Tremaine - he's our go-to player," said Whale, who was upset when the midfielder turned No8 did not crack the Heartland team last year.
Another converted player he wonders why there was no room for is Jaye Flaws, the former Wanganui Heartland winger now making a good fist of things at second-five.
"This year, he's played the best rugby he's played for me in four years. And it's in the [Wanganui] weak area of the midfield."
Tomorrow, Whale is not expecting a repeat of Taihape's easy 44-8 win at Memorial Park on April 16.
Gilbert, Flaws and Dane Whale were all double tryscorers that day.
However, Marist's linchpin Steelie Koro was on the sidelines with injury and is now in sublime form both with ball in hand and on defence, although the Marist backline paid a toll against Kaierau with Cameron Crowley injuring his hamstring and Josaia Bogileka suspended for two games for his reckless high tackle.
However, they now have the depth with midfielder Tevita Tui coming off the bench and playing his way into the Wanganui pre-season team, while winger Scott Dowman is also an adequate replacement.
Marist may yet be one player light with a citing coming out of the match, which has been appealed.
Speaking of discipline issues, the rise of Taihape has come with the decline to two-time champions Black Bull Liquor Pirates, who face the tough ask of heading to Dallison Park to meet the in-form Border.
After the raft of yellow cards in the loss to Marist two weeks ago, there were five more handed out between Pirates and a likewise frustrated Harvey Round Motors Ratana at Spriggens Park last Saturday.
Facing a Border team who have recently reinforced an already well-balanced unit, 15 men will be needed on the field at all times.
Ratana will now travel to the Country Club to face a Kaierau team desperate to get back on track after three-straight losses to fellow Top 4 teams, while Utiku Old Boys host a Ruapehu team making their second trip to Memorial Park in as many weeks.