Do-or-die time for Wairarapa-Bush

JUMP TO IT: James Goodger goes high to win lineout ball. PHOTO/FILE

MOTIVATION will not be a worry for either side when Wairarapa-Bush and Horowhenua-Kapiti do battle in a Heartland championship rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton, tomorrow.

For Wairarapa-Bush, any hopes of qualifying for the semifinals in the premier section, the Meads Cup, depend on their coming up trumps, while Horowhenua-Kapiti will almost certainly drop out of the top four if they lose, and dent their own Meads Cup plans.

That Wairarapa-Bush will be competitive is almost a given. They have yet to be outclassed in any of their five Heartland games this season, although they have won only two.

The three losses, to North Otago, South Canterbury and West Coast, have been only by single-figure digits, and in each case they could have been winners but for periods of intensity dropped, especially on defence, and the opposition capitalising.

It was no surprise to learn from head coach Josh Syms that this Tuesday's training session was big on physicality, particularly in tackle situations, and if the improvement in that area is significant tomorrow there is no reason why Wairarapa-Bush should not chalk up their first Heartland victory on the artificial turf.

The need for Wairarapa-Bush to make their first tackles count throughout the 80 minutes is highlighted by even a cursory look at Horowhenua-Kapiti's record. The least points they have scored in any game is 24 and, interestingly enough, that came when they beat cellar dwellers East Coast 24-20.

Other results for them are a 34-39 loss to Wanganui, a 24-28 loss to King Country, a 54-26 thumping of Poverty Bay and, last Saturday, an upset 26-22 win over North Otago.

That latter victory also demonstrated the fighting qualities of the Horowhenua-Kapiti squad. They trailed North Otago for most of the match and it took a try with just eight minutes remaining for them to secure the win.

In backs such as Brandyn Laursen, Teegan Minkley and Michael Tambour the visitors have some of the most potent attacking talent in the whole of the Heartland competition and Laursen is one of the more prolific goal kickers.

There are a couple of eyebrow raisers in the naming of the Wairarapa-Bush backline for tomorrow's match. Mathew Dalley is being given a start at centre in place of Tipene Haira, and Corey McFadzean has got the nod ahead of Nick Olson for one of the wing berths.

McFadzean is making a comeback and, while his selection was not unexpected, the general feeling was he would be at fullback and Viliami Hala would move to centre.

In the forwards, the return of experienced prop Kurt Simmonds, also after an injury break, will be welcomed and, with Chris Raymond on duty with the national Heartland Under-19 side, Brendon Campbell returns to the starting line-up on the side of the scrum.

He will be at blindside flank, with James Goodger moving to the openside. Kick-off 2.30pm.

Wairarapa-Bush: Viliami Hala; Corey McFadzean, Mathew Dalley, Andy Humberstone, Paul Tikomainavalu; Tim Priest; Cody Whittaker; So'otala Fa'oso'o; James Goodger, Lachie McFadzean, James Wall, Brendon Campbell; Matt Kawana, Andrew Makalio, Kurt Simmonds. Reserves: Backs: Inia Katia, Cameron Hayton, Nick Olson; Kody Thompson, Jacko Hull, Johnie McFadzean, Roma Marurai.