"The bigger the support, the bigger the boost for the team. It does help lift the guys, no doubt about that."
Rutene said the main lesson learned from the Levin match was the value of patience with Wairarapa-Bush tending to rush things during a first half that ended with them holding a 9-0 lead and facing the prospect of playing into strong wind and squally rain in the second spell.
"We probably bombed two or three tries by spilling ball at crucial times - we could have been 20 points up at halftime and out of danger," he said. "We were too keen, we were moving the ball on when we might have been better to hit it up and drag the defence in."
The second half, however, was a different story with Wairarapa-Bush retaining possession for long periods and scoring four splendid tries in the process.
"That second half was exactly what we wanted, we couldn't have wished for more," Rutene said. "We knew we had to take control up front and wear them down, and that's what we did."
Wairarapa-Bush and Wanganui met in a qualifying round match in Masterton with Wanganui winning 26-19 after being 19-13 down going into the last 15 minutes.
Rutene is encouraged enough by the closeness of the exchanges there to believe Wairarapa-Bush are capable of reversing that result this weekend and also by the fact he and assistant coach Paddy Gough might well have a full squad to pick from.
The main doubt in that regard revolves around the fitness of wing Cameron Hayton who missed the Levin match through injury and was replaced by Inia Katia, who seemed to enjoy expressing his attacking talents.
Play Jimungo Virtual End of Year Rugby Tours
Compete for prize money and bragging rights in Jimungo Virtual Rugby Tours - the game for all of the end of year international rugby matches. Simply choose the winning team and margin. Starts Saturday 20 October. Sign up now.
