Error rate a concern, says coach Tantrum

Wairarapa-Bush rugby coach Kelvin Tantrum admits to mixed feelings over his team's effort in their 19-6 loss to Poverty Bay in a non-championship fixture played in Masterton on Saturday.
Tantrum concedes the bitterly cold conditions were always likely to lead to more passing and handling errors than normal but he was concerned that Wairarapa-Bush's error rate in that respect was almost double that of their opposition.
"They (Poverty Bay) were playing in the same conditions as we were so you have to ask yourself why didn't they drop the ball as much as we did," he said.
"Sure, the weather can be used as some excuse but rugby is a winter game and it's something you have to come to terms with. We didn't to the extent we should have, and that's disappointing."
Tantrum doesn't believe the conditions could be wholly blamed either for the Wairarapa-Bush backs lacking penetration on attack.
"We had systems in place which should have seen us open up their defence more than we managed, we didn't vary things enough," he said.
The solidity in the set pieces of scrum and lineout did please Tantrum however, as did the soundness of the defence, especially in pressure situations.
And he is also mindful of the fact that whereas Poverty Bay had the benefit of a prolonged lead-up to Saturday's match, including a Ranfurly Shield challenge, Wairarapa Bush were basically starting afresh.
"It was always going to be a big ask for us so it certainly wasn't all doom and gloom," he said "Overall it was a step in the right direction and we can be happy with that."
Tantrum also agreed that Poverty Bay appeal as a serious contender for the major spoils in the Heartland championship this season. "They look to have good depth at back and forward, and they are well organised. It will take a good team to beat them" he said.
There is now just the one remaining match before Wairarapa-Bush's own Heartland campaign kicks off and that is against Wellington B at Memorial Park this coming Saturday.
This will be another daunting assignment for the home side as Tantrum anticipates Wellington B being at least as strong as the Wellington XV which gave them a massive walloping earlier in the season.
That being the case it's hardly surprising that while an upset win would obviously be welcomed the emphasis will be on producing an effort which has them in a confident frame of mind going into their opening Heartland game against West Coast the following weekend, also to be played in Masterton.
"We need to play well whatever the final scoreline," Tantrum said. "That's the big thing, playing well."
Changes to the starting XV from what which initially took the field against Poverty Bay seem certain to occur.
Both Wellington "imports", utility back Junior Togia and lock James Measor, are expected to come into the team and there could be some "tinkering" to the midfield combination to allow the strong-running Charlie Walker-Blair to move from wing to centre. The experienced Patrick Rimene will probably be at first-five with Dean Grant, who had a useful debut against Poverty Bay, at fullback.