Strong WHS to line up

Wanganui High School's Fagan Lemalie sends his pass on during Thursday afternoon First XV training ahead of their Manawatu club final against Palmerston North Boys High School on Saturday.

Full strength and no excuses is how Wanganui High School First XV coach Darryl Malcolm described his team's chances of claiming a Manawatu club championship tomorrow.

WHS will meet Palmerston North Boys High School's reserve team in the Manawatu Premier 1 final in the latest chapter of the rivalry between the two schools.

The teams drew their match earlier this year and PNBHS beat WHS in the corresponding final last year.

Malcolm could not be entirely sure what the makeup of the home team will be given their First XV is heading off on an overseas rugby tour, but having played in the older Under 21 competition against older players, he feels his side have the temperament to claim the title at FMG Stadium.

Captain Scott Bowater agrees.

Having been a First XV starter for two seasons against strong quality opposition in Manawatu, he feels now is their time.

"We can't have had a better year, we can't have been better.

"For a lot of us, it's our last chance, we've got to make the most of it.

"The boy's just got to dig it in, give it heart.

"We're not the biggest team, but we've got the biggest heart, as corny as that sounds."