Coach Tantrum confirms imports

It's definite & Wairarapa-Bush will have at least two "imports" for their 2008 Heartland championship rugby campaign.
Coach Kelvin Tantrum confirmed yesterday that talks with a couple of players from the Wellington area had reached the stage where all that was required was for the "i's to be dotted and the t's crossed."
Without wanting to actually name the players concerned until negotiations were fully complete Tantrum revealed one was a forward capable of playing at lock or loose forward and the other was a back versatile enough to play at centre, wing or fullback.
"They both have the sort of skills we believe could be of huge benefit to us", he said.
"And they are very enthusiastic about the opportunity being offered them, they are keen to do us proud."
Tantrum had earlier hoped to name his full Heartland squad before the non-championship fixture against Poverty Bay early next month but he has had a slight change of heart, saying it would now be finalised after that match.
"We want to give those on the fringes one last chance to show whether they are up to the challenge and the Poverty Bay game will enable us to do that, he said.
Tantrum has been pleased with what he sees as a noticeable improvement in the standard of club play over the past few weeks, something he believes has come through increased fitness levels. "A lot of players seemed to be struggling in that regard early on but it's not such a problem now," he said. "And when players are fit they can better utilise their skills, can't they?"
SENIOR FIRST DIVISION
The penultimate series of preliminary round matches in the Wairarapa-Bush senior first division championship tomorrow hold plenty of interest.
Carterton and Gladstone will meet in a top-of-the-table clash, East Coast, Marist, Pioneer and Martinborough will all be looking to boost their chances of a home quarter-final while Eketahuna and Puketoi will be desperately seeking the maximum points which could make their place in the top eight safe.
No such worries though for Greytown which have the bye and the four points that go with it.
They could move into a clear fourth on the competition table if other results go their way.
Tomorrow's draw is:-
CARTERTON V GLADSTONE
Carterton at 2pm: Note the earlier start here so as to allow those heading to the capital for the Tri Nations game more time to get there.
Neither side deserves to start favourite although the record books show that Gladstone have made a habit of beating Carterton in recent years.
Some huge individual match ups on the cards & Joe Harwood v Richard Puddy at hooker, Tomasi Kedrabuka v Mike Spence at No.8, Justin Lett v James Bruce at halfback, Jono Hurley v Dean Grant at first-five and Charlie Walker-Blair v Jordan Watene at centre.
With such a close battle likely goal kicking could be crucial and two of the best in the region will be the doing the business in that area, Hurley for Carterton and Grant for Gladstone.
EKETAHUNA V MARTINBOROUGH
Eketahuna at 2pm: Again note the earlier start for the same reasons as for the Carterton match.
Makes you wonder why all four first division games didn't go down the same track!
Eketahuna will be treating this as their very own test match. They have had a proud record in the premier league over the past decade and being the only team not to make the quarters this year would be unthinkable for them.
They have the forward power to thwart the Martinborough challenge and that extra incentive for victory should get them home.
PIONEER V PUKETOI
Park Sportsground at 2.45pm: Puketoi are in the same boat as Eketahuna.
Lose this one and their quarter-final aspirations could be dented beyond repair.
They are sure to play with their usual grit and determination but with their ranks depleted by injury and unavailabilities and Pioneer starting to hit their straps anything other than a comfortable Pioneer win would be a surprise.
MARIST V EAST COAST
Memorial Park at 2.45pm.: Yes, this match at headquarters is programmed to start at the same time as another first division game just five minutes down the road but that's nothing unusual, is it? Why the hierarchy can't schedule the games so locals have the chance to watch both remains one of rugby's great mysteries. Normally you'd expect Marist to have too much firepower for the Coasters but the latter have made such excellent progress this season that rule of thumb no longer applies.
Both sides are capable of running in spectacular tries so an entertaining match is in prospect.