League star to play for Eketahuna

Gary Caffell
A rugby league star will be part of the Eketahuna squad when they meet defending champions Johnsonville in a Wellington premier division women's rugby match at Johnsonville tomorrow.
Maia Tua-Davidson played fullback for the World Cup -winning Kiwis women's rugby league side last year while living in Hawke's Bay.
But she has now joined an Eketahuna team which has won their last two games in their debut season in the Wellington competition, the first by default over Poneke and the second by an impressive 24-10 against Stokes Valley, a top-four placegetter in 2008
The availability of Tua-Davidson for tomorrow's match could not have come at a better time as regular Eketahuna fullback, former national women's soccer rep Michele Clarke, is unavailable because of work commitments, and Tua-Davidson will slot into that role.
And she can expect a busy time, especially on defence when you consider that Johnsonville, who are chockful of former rugby league players themselves, have already massed something like 300pts in four games this season while conceding only three.
That's a staggering statistic by any standards but Eketahuna coach Cory Miller was delighted enough with his team's effort against Stokes Valley to suggest Johnsonville could get more than they bargain for.
"Obviously we are the underdogs but we will be going out there determined to make a positive statement," Miller said.
"If they think they will be easy beats they could be in for a shock."
Eketahuna played their usual free-flowing style of rugby in the win over Stokes Valley with tries being scored by lock Koko Namana, wing Mel Vainu, flanker Perri Tatana and second-five Rebecca Hull but Miller says they may be somewhat more conservative against a Johnsonville side which is at their best when play loosens up.
"They (Johnsonville) like to keep coming at you from all angles so our best chance is probably to slow things down and look to be more deliberate in the way we play," Miller said.
"We need to frustrate them into making rash decisions and making them play at our pace is probably the best way to do that."