However, Thames Valley’s task will not be easy against the Ngāti Porou East Coast side, who are fighting to confirm their Meads Cup spot and keep fifth-place North Otago off their tail.
And there is one more number that holds significance for Whanganui in what could be their final home game – 100 – as the team would love to give their plucky veteran halfback Lindsay Horrocks the ‘W’ as he becomes the first Whanganui centenarian since Cole Baldwin in 2017.
Debuting in 2013, Horrocks has shown incredible longevity, since that time playing all but two First Class games for Whanganui – Heartland and Ranfurly Shield - the exceptions being 2019 when he was with the NZ Heartland XV to play Samoa at Eden Park, and the Covid-shortened 2020 season when he attended a wedding.
“He’s a hell of a footballer,” said coach Jason Hamlin, who has worked with the 33-year-old Horrocks from 2014 onwards.
“He’s just a competitor - obviously got a great pass on him.
“He’s actually really smart around sensing things in games and where the opposition are, and where we have to play.
“If one part of the game isn’t working, he can help us in other ways.
“He’ll never cheat you. You know what you’re getting with Lindsay.”
Whanganui has made only one adjustment from the side who ended Wairarapa-Bush’s winning streak at home in the first of consecutive Bruce Steel Memorial Cup defences, as the other player on the doorstep of 100 games in Roman Tutauha regains the starting hooker spot from Alesana Tofa.
“Just trying to get a bit of continuity now,” said Hamlin.
“[We’ve] got to look after our own box first, and hopefully, someone else does us a favour.”
But first comes Horowhenua-Kāpiti (2-5) - as well as hunting the Bruce Steel, in a rare occurrence for Heartland, they still have an outside shot at qualifying for the Lochore Cup group despite being bottom of the table, only four points adrift from Poverty Bay.
“The margin in this competition isn’t very far – a credit for the comp, really,” said Hamlin.
“That slow start [with two losses], hopefully, it doesn’t come back to hurt us.
“The boys have been tracking along pretty well, our experienced guys – we’ve been leaning on them.”
Pleasing for Hamlin is for the second game in a row in Masterton, Whanganui ‘won’ the penalty count, and although the timing was initially a half-step off for the backline’s line passes, that’s an easy correction when playing back on home soil.
“We could have adjusted quicker, but we played some quality football after halftime.
“On Tuesday, the video was showing them what they did right. Saying, ‘[These are] the things that break most Heartland teams – hold ball, claim multiple phases’.
“Those two tries after halftime were crucial for that.
“It would be nice if we could get 60-70 minutes [of dominance]. You want 80, but [have] got to respect the opposition.
“We’re moving the ball, and there’s points on offer if we get it right.”
Helping with that momentum late in the game were the youngsters. Hamlin was very happy with the efforts of reserve prop Konradd Newland, utility back Josh Brunger and Horrocks’ understudy Eben Classen – who scored his first Heartland try.
Brunger, who lost most of the club and then early representative season to a broken bone in his foot, has been showing the spark which saw him play the Super Rugby Under-20 tournament at the start of the year.
“Big, strong kind, and we’re seeing the benefits of him being fit,” said Hamlin.
Kick-off at what could be a wet Cooks Gardens is at 2.30pm.
The Whanganui team is:
1. Hadlee Hay-Horton; 2. Roman Tutauha; 3. Raymond Salu; 4. Peter-Travis Hay-Horton; 5. Josh Lane; 6. Samu Kubunavanua; 7. Jamie Hughes; 8. Douglas Horrocks; 9. Lindsay Horrocks; 10. Dane Whale; 11. Josaia Bogileka; 12. Timoci Seruwalu; 13. Alekesio Vakarorogo; 14. Apolosi Tanoa; 15. Peceli Malanicagi.
Reserves – Forwards: 16. Alesana Tofa; 17. Konradd Newland; 18. Gabriel Hakaraia; 19. Matthew Ashworth; 20. Josefa Namosimalua. Backs: 21. Eben Classen; 22. Joshua Brunger; 23. Luke Whale.
