Wanganui happy to take 'ugly' win

Wanganui second-five Rhema Sagote was a handful for the King Country defence last weekend, with just a little more execution needed tomorrow. PHOTO/MERRILYN GEORGE

There is no fear factor for either Steelform Wanganui or King Country in their Lochore Cup semifinal at Te Kuiti tomorrow, other than the prospect one big moment could likely decide the winner.

The familiar foes have fought out two high-scoring thrillers this year. Wanganui won the preseason clash in Turangi 35-34, and King Country squaring the ledger last Saturday 30-29.

Heading up a little earlier on the bus on Saturday is one of a handful of subtle changes Wanganui coach Jason Caskey will make as he has tried to figure out how turn the previous six days into a bigger advantage than his opposite Kurt McQuilkin has managed.

Despite not much depth in their backline, Wanganui had to play desperate attacking rugby last weekend to secure a four-try bonus point while also winning, the latter which proved beyond them although the fates smiled when Thames Valley missed out on eighth spot by a mere five points on for-and-against.

Caskey is expecting tomorrow to be a lot more phase focused - these are the games you would happily 'win ugly' by half a point if it was possible.

"Finals rugby, bonus points don't mean jack, but then again, we're better off to be playing attacking rugby," he said.

"If the penalties are on, you take them. We've worked on processes where we think we can exploit [King Country].

"It's who to look after and shut down, there's always that aspect, but then you've got to change up [yourself] and don't do things the same."

Caskey is pleased the finals series will have neutral touch judges as well as the referee, after being annoyed at some off-the-ball impeding and jersey-pulling last weekend.

In a season where the latter half has been wracked by injuries, key lock Sonny Woodmass returns just as his capable understudy John Laurie suffered broken fingers at work, ruling him out this week.

Laurie was one of a handful of players to exceed Caskey's expectations this year, others being first-five Dane Whale, who stepped up until his broken jaw two weeks ago, and young props Kamipeli Latu and Viki Tofa.

But with the likes of Whale and Zyon Hekenui dropping out injured, while Taranaki import Josh Hamilton became a non-event, it is evergreen veteran Ace Malo who has become Mr Fix It in the past month.

Taking over the goal kicking when he was likely to be fourth-string choice at the start of the campaign, either starting or during games Malo has slotted into fullback, wing, centre and first-five as the situation dictated and been completely reliable.

"Ace has always been like that, a fantastic servant for Wanganui for 8-9 years," said Caskey. "He trains harder than most of the team. You couldn't ask for a better guy."

The other Taranaki import, Bryn Hudson, made more impact and despite knee ligament damage is desperate to play.

"He trained on Tuesday night, but it was just running," said Caskey.

Hudson remains bracketed on the bench, this time with Faa'lafi Vave, who came in at short notice when Woodmass was ruled out last week.

King Country are unlikely to make many changes either.

Their danger man to watch is flanker Anthony Wise, who was in storming form in the middle stages of last weekend's match, while halfback Zayn Tipping was a good organiser in partnership with first-five Whakataki Cunningham.

In the nine-year history of the Heartland Championship, Wanganui are looking to join Wairarapa Bush and North Otago in winning both the Meads and Lochore Cup trophies, which Buller and Poverty Bay are also shooting for tomorrow in the Meads playoffs.