Make or break match for Boxon

Today is the key season match-up for the Whanganui Boxon team as they take their second wary trip to the Linton Army Camp.

On top of the Manawatu rugby league premier competition table with two wins in their two home games, the team faces an entirely different prospect playing the Linton Cobras on their home turf.

Back on April 13 during round one, the Snakes bit them hard with a 62-4 hiding, one of only two losses for the Boxon this year.

The other defeat to the Dannevirke Tigers, before the nine-team competition was split into senior and premier grades, was well and truly avenged a fortnight ago 70-22.

Boxon now have four straight away games and coach Stewart Reweti said today's winner could probably finish up on top of the premier table.

That side goes straight to the grand final while the second and third teams will have a playoff to see who joins them.

Whatever the game result, Reweti wants a much-improved performance from that seen in April.

"I think we're on the right track at the moment, still got the bulk of the good players. Hopefully we reverse it."

Bad weather could also play a role, while Boxon are without the services of their standout centre Che Barlow, who'll watch from the sidelines with injury.

Barlow was outstanding last Sunday for the Manawatu Mustangs in their 32-18 win in the second game of the representative series with Taranaki.

He scored two tries, set up another for Boxon second-row team mate Jordan Davis and split the defence all day.

Fellow Boxon winger Pentuakau Turia-Bennett also scored a try in the representative clash. "They were all playing on the left-hand side that's how they work," said Reweti.

While pleased for his guys' success, the Barlow injury and two weeks' gap between club matches has highlighted his frustrations with the Manawatu competition.

A team pulling out of the grade led to the draw being rejigged, and gap weeks for representative games to be played has also been disruptive.

Kickoff today at Linton Army Camp is 1pm.