Club legend tips Kamo to upset Sharks

Kamo are allowing themselves a touch of optimism as they get ready to host the Western Sharks tomorrow in the Southern Districts club rugby competition.
The Whangarei team has had mixed results this season but they won't get a better chance to meet the Sharks on even terms just seven days after the Dargaville team were humbled 51-14 at home by Mid Western.
Northland legend Justin "Gus" Collins, a longtime Kamo stalwart, reckons that their forwards may just match the Sharks and that could turn the game into a real contest.
"I think it's going to be an even contest, we should be nice and even up front and with loosies Danny Mason and Isaac O'Grady. A young guy who's impressing in his first season - going well, they might get some turnover ball for the backs to use," he said.
The Sharks backs were made to look ordinary against a slick Mid Western backline last week and Collins hopes that their Kamo counterparts can emulate that performance.
"Our backs have been improving and building in confidence every week and now we've got Brad Linklater back [from New Zealand Universities commitments] we're more settled," he said.
Collins started the season on the Kamo playing roster but after taking another serious head knock, he has hung his boots up for good. He continues to help coach the forwards and says the addition of another old pro, Brad's brother former Chief hooker Scott Linklater, is paying off for their side.
"As an ex-professional, he brings quite a bit to the team and he has been outstanding for us and could easily play at the provincial level again if he wanted to," Collins said.
Despite only winning two of their seven games, Kamo trail the Sharks by just three points on the table by virtue of their five bonus points earned by pushing teams close. Collins said if their defence holds up this week then there's no reason why they can't defeat the Sharks.
"Our structured defence has been good but missing one-on-one tackles has been costing us tries. It's been a problem all year," he said.
Sharks coach Myles Ferris said although they were well beaten by Mid Western there was little point in changing the way they play.
"This week's game is about trying keep to our patterns and structure and we need to work on our kicking game which has put us under a lot of pressure," he said.
Losses like inspirational skipper Garry Whippy, who may be out for the entire season with injury, Mateo Malupo, training with the Tongan national squad, and Luke Hamilton, whose continued involvement in the North could revolve around his business commitments and his future with the Taniwha, have hit the side hard.
"Teams are starting to glance at the table at this time of the year but there's still a long way to go. When we lose the ITM Cup boys it always has an impact on the competition but we need to be there or thereabouts at that stage to try and qualify for the top four," Ferris said.
Hikurangi proved they could match it with co-leaders Hora Hora for large parts of last week's game and will once again have their work cut out for them against Mid Western at Hikurangi.
Hora Hora travel across town to take on Old Boys, while champions Mid Northern face a tough trip to Centennial Park in Wellsford. Marist will be eager to bank maximum points against the competition newcomers, Otamatea, at Kensington Park.