PACK the Park is the catch-cry leading into Wairarapa-Bush's Heartland championship rugby semi-final match with North Otago at Memorial Park, Masterton on Saturday.
Wairarapa-Bush coach Peter Russell , pictured right, has been delighted with the growing support given his side by local fans this season and is adamant their attendance in
big numbers this weekend will help his team's cause.
"The players really do relish having a big crowd behind them?it lifts their spirits and makes them work even harder to achieve," Russell said. "It's a very positive feeling and going into games like this positiveness is a huge plus."
Russell said he was especially pleased for the many long-time supporters of Wairarapa-Bush that they were being given the opportunity to watch a semi-final at home.
"We've had some of the loyal followers say how pleased they are we keep getting home games because they are finding it increasingly hard to travel away watch us play" he said.
"That sort of thing is great for the players to hear?it gives them that extra incentive to get the results which make that happen."
Russell said the fact Wairarapa-Bush had not lost a national championship game at Memorial Park for some three seasons now was a tribute to not only the players involved but their supporters as well.
"We've almost got to the stage where we have developed our own House of Pain and that's encouraging too," he said.
Saturday's match could, of course, be the last home game for Wairarapa-Bush this season.
They ended the Meads Cup top six play-offs as second qualifiers behind Wanganui, so if Wanganui beat Mid-Canterbury in the other semi-final on Saturday they will also earn the right to host the grand final.
However-and it is a long shot-if Mid-Canterbury upset Wanganui and Wairarapa-Bush beat North Otago then the competition decider would be at Masterton's Memorial Park.
There is the prospect too that for a number of players in the current Wairarapa-Bush squad Saturday's game will signal their last appearance for the union.
Coach Russell wasn't naming names but he says some players had already hinted at retirement while others were looking to head overseas.
And what of the coach himself?.after four seasons in charge how does he see his future?
"Honestly, I haven't really looked that far ahead but after four years you to have to wonder whether it's time for a new voice to come in," Russell said "We'll concentrate on winning the championship first, then I guess those sort of decisions will have to be made."
