Bush set to fire back up

Wairarapa-Bush are a strong chance to beat Buller in the Lochore Cup rugby final at Victoria Square, Westport tomorrow.
A performance similar to that which produced their shock 21-17 win over top seeds King Country in their semifinal match in Te Kuiti last weekend should be enough to have the trophy named after one of this region's most revered rugby sons, Sir Brian Lochore, locked away at Memorial Park over summer.
The problem is, of course, consistency has hardly been one of Wairarapa-Bush's greatest strengths in a 2010 season that has provided more lows than highs. Rating them anything like a first past-the-post proposition is probably asking for trouble.
However, the confidence expressed over the past few days by coach Kelvin Tantrum and captain Joe Harwood that they would again fire suggests the character and resolve shown last weekend will again be a feature of their performance.
It will need to be, too, for while Buller will never rate as the flashiest of rugby sides they are a rugged, uncompromising lot sure to fight all the way in what is their best chance yet of winning their first Heartland title. And, of course, they will have the benefit of what is certain to be a huge home crowd to help them.
The tactical approach of the two sides is likely to be very similar with domination of the forward battle a primary objective.
That's a prospect that shouldn't worry the Wairarapa-Bush camp as, while their results might indicate otherwise, there have actually been very few Heartland games this season where their pack hasn't had the edge or at least held their own.
Front rowers Kurt Simmonds, Joe Harwood (who will be making his swansong in the Wairarapa-Bush jersey) and Dylan Higgison have all been around long enough now to know they have to set the standards in the tighter areas of scrum and mauls and locks Andrew McLean and Brandon Young don't mind the rough and tumble stuff either. They have also proved reliable winners of lineout ball, a and also have the spring-heeled Tomasi Kedrabuka in the reserves.
Loosies Joss Tua-Davidson, Rupeni Temani and Mana Faraimo played a huge part in the semifinal win and against a Buller side are sure to use the rolling maul as an attacking weapon. They will need to show the same commitment on this occasion.
It's always amazing what a couple of big hits early in a game can do to the psyche of a team and few players in the Heartland competition are better equipped to manage that than Tua-Davidson or Faraimo.
No matter how well the Wairarapa-Bush forwards perform, however, their efforts will probably count for very little if their backs aren't decisive and accurate in their judgment calls.
Option taking has been a bugbear for them through most of 2010 but they were apparently on song in that regard in Te Kuiti and more of the same will definitely be required tomorrow.
Having a player with the experience and coolness of James Bruce at halfback is always likely to be a big plus for Wairarapa-Bush in the heat of a grand final as should be the decision to stay with Byron Karaitiana at second-five, both because of his ability to carve off huge chunks off ground with his clearing kicks and his aggressiveness on the tackle.
His two tries against King Country were vital and evidence of his match-winning potential when the confidence is running high.
It will be important to the Wairarapa-Bush cause, too, that Jeremy Te Huia is on target with his goal kicking as in a match where the scores are likely to stay close throughout the 80 minutes success in this area of the game often means the difference between victory and defeat.
The Lochore Cup final kicks off at the earlier-than-usual time of 1.05pm and is being televised live on Sky Sport One and the Rugby Channel.
The Wairarapa-Bush squad is: Nick Olson; Junior Togia, Heemi Tupaea, Byron Karaitiana, Jesse McGilvary; Jeremy Te Huia; James Bruce; Mana Faraimo; Rupeni Temani, Andrew McLean, Brandon Young, Joss Tua-Davidson; Kurt Simmonds, Joe Harwood, Dylan Higgison.Reserves: Tommy Harmon, Cyrus Baker, Brett Rudman, Jared Brock,Tomasi Kedrabuka, John McFadzean, Tommy Sargent.