Couch's calf strain being closely monitored

Wairarapa-Bush are monitoring the calf strain which caused Nathan Couch to withdraw from the team which beat South Canterbury 27-19 in the Heartland championship rugby match at Timaru last weekend.
Coach Kelvin Tantrum said yesterday a decision as to whether Couch would be part of the starting line-up for the next Heartland game at Memorial Park, Masterton this Saturday would very probably be left until after tomorrow night's training session.
"Right now I wouldn't say yes he will be available or no he won't, you can never guarantee how quickly injuries like that will respond to treatment," Tantrum said. "But one thing is for sure, we won't be risking him if he's not fit. We've still got too many games to come to take that chance."
If Couch can't front up his place at second-five is sure to again be taken by Gladstone's Mike Shaw, who made such a good fist of the role in Timaru.
Shaw and Couch are very different players, Shaw being noted for his solidity on defence and linking skills on attack and Couch for his creativeness, but Tantrum is comfortable that whoever gets the nod for Saturday will do a decent job for his team.
"Everybody knows how valuable Chopper (Couch) can be but Mike did everything expected of him last weekend, he looked quite at home at that level, "Tantrum said.
Apart from the second-five quandary the odds seems to favour the starting XV against Buller being exactly the same as that which initially took the field against South Canterbury.
If there is any other change it would probably come on the blindside flank where the main query is whether Joe Feast's lineout capabilities should give him the edge over the shorter but quicker Mike Wilson.
Word is that Buller has a number of options at lineout time and , that being the case, Feast may be the safer bet for a starting spot with Wilson joining the action after halftime when play loosens up, as it often does then.
The return from injury of the pacy Nick Olson, who played the last 10 minutes in Timaru, adds to Wairarapa-Bush's strength in the outside backs but with centre Jordan Watene, wings Charlie Walker-Blair and Junior Togia and fullback Peato Lafaele all impressing with their attacking play in Timaru it would surprise if any of them were replaced.
Togia did finish that match with a bruised shoulder but coach Tantrum was confident he would be back to full fitness by Saturday.
Buller will come to Masterton in a confident frame of mind after scoring a one-point victory over South Canterbury in the first of their Heartland games and then coming from 16-0 down to draw 16-16 with Horowhenua-Kapiti on Saturday. And they could have won that game too but for a pass being spilled in the dying seconds and denying what seemed a certain try.
Tantrum himself knows little about Buller but he was told by South Canterbury management they were a well-organised side with a feisty pack, an astute tactician at first-five and speedy wingers.
"Obviously we were pleased to get that win in Timaru but we know Buller is going to be another step up, we can't take anything for granted at all against them," Tantrum said.