Rugby: Injury count takes its toll

Napier Old Boys' Marist tight forward Andrew Robinson will play his 50th match tomorrow. Photo / Warren Buckland

Thirteen regular starters will be missing from the Napier Old Boys Marist premier rugby team through injury tomorrow.

While many blamed it on the unusually hard grounds because of the warm autumn, tight forward Andrew Robinson reckoned it's a result of the brutal nature of Hawke's Bay's Tui Nash Cup this winter.

"The competition has been so close and the forward confrontations brutal. We're fit, but it has been really physical this season," Robinson said on the eve of Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist's ninth round encounter with Tamatea at Park Island.

With three of NOBM's starting XV frontrowers, captain Jarvy Aoake, Chris Benson and Eugene Gerrard, all unavailable, regular lock Robinson, 32, will start at loosehead prop for the second consecutive match this season. Tomorrow's will be his 50th outing for the team.

"It's taken me four seasons to get to 50 and as long as the body is up to it I'll be around for another couple of seasons yet," Robinson said.

Although he had played in Golden Oldies frontrows in the past, last weekend was his first taste of serious frontrow play.

"We were up against Hastings and it was a real eye opener. I got to prop against Magpie Jason Long towards the end of the game."

A Wairoa College old boy who has represented the New Zealand Air Force, Robinson, like NOBM manager Mike Smith, was confident the second placed hosts had the necessary depth to cope with tomorrow's assignment against winless Tamatea.

"It's a bit disappointing we can't win the comp but it's important we keep our roll on [NOBM have won their last three games] going into the Maddison comp," Robinson said.

In addition to his rugby in the Bay and inter-services stint in Auckland, Robinson, has also played club rugby in Manawatu and Marlborough. The bulk fuel terminal manager for New Zealand Oil Services Limited in Napier and father of two girls started the game as a five-year-old in Wairoa.

Despite their lengthy injury list NOBM should beat Tamatea by at least 19 points.

Progressive Meats Havelock North manager Conrad Waitoa has promised some entertaining rugger from his troops when they travel to Elwood Park to take on Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports. Hastings co-coach Aaron Bartlett said he is unlikely to loosen the reins too much on the hosts.

"We looked upon our final two games of the Nash Cup round as a two-test series before the Maddison games began. We lost against NOBM last week so it's important we finish this week's match in good condition."

If the expected wet weather has an impact and doesn't allow the villagers to turn on the razzle dazzle expect Hastings to win by six. With the Nash Cup already retained Carters Frame and Truss Taradale should also entertain when they host Northfuels Central in a match they should win by 15 points.

In other games Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical should pip MAC by seven at Whitmore Park and Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports should beat K9 Petfoods Clive by 13 at Farndon Park.