LEAGUE - Marist Brothers go behind bars

The Marist Brothers become the first Northland rugby league team to test the ability of league new boys, the Ngawha Saints tomorrow by spending the afternoon behind bars.
Marist assistant coach John Komene has little idea what to expect on or off the field when they arrive at Ngawha Prison, but he hopes his team will be able to maintain their focus when they arrive.
"You can't worry about the opposition too much, you just do what you have to do, concentrate on what you do well and worry about what they bring on the day," he said.
Komene believes that with plenty of time on their side the prisoners will be physically fit and ready for the game.
"Those guys have probably got all the time in the world for training so we're expecting them to be a tough proposition, and we're going to have to play to the best of our abilities if we want to beat them," he said.
"The pitfalls for them are that they've still to be tested against an opposition team, they didn't have a game last week, so it's difficult to know what they'll bring to the game on Saturday."
A lack of match practice may be an important factor but with just one match up their sleeves themselves, Marist won't take much of an advantage into the game.
Last weekend in their match against Portland, Marist played with a two player bench and they are still trying to round out their squad with extra players.
"Those guys we've got have been training a while and they look pretty good but our problem has been signing up more players," the coach said.
Marist should have a full complement for the match but won't be certain of numbers until they board the bus for the prison - and they are hoping they don't get any last minute bad news about players getting refused entry into the prison.
"As far as we know everybody got through the process, all the team were willing to sign the application form to get in there and no one backed off or refused to take part in the process," Komene said.
Last week during their loss to Portland, Marist scored the first four tries of the match but started to tire late in the first spell, allowing Portland back into the game.
In other matches, Bay Slayers continue their tough start to the season with their first home game at Ohaeawai. Last week an understrength side were easily beaten by champions Moerewa and it doesn't get any easier with last year's beaten finalists, Hikurangi Stags, as opposition.
Takahiwai play their first match of the competition against neighbours Portland, while the Kaikohe Lions host Moerewa Tigers.
" Northern Advocate sports reporter Peter Thorley has been granted permission to cover the game, subject to some strict criteria.
For a start, no photographs are allowed to be taken of the game and, unless consent of approval is given by the prison manager, no prisoner is to be identified in any way.
So if some of the prisoners score a hatful of tries, make some crunching, try-saving tackles, or slot goals from all over the field, they will not be able to be identified.