Eketahuna coach Sid Tatana is confident his side can repeat their success of seven days earlier when they play Stokes Valley in a Wellington premier division women's rugby semifinal match at Eketahuna on Saturday.
Never one to under-rate the prospects of his opposition, Tatana says it will come as a big
surprise if Stokes Valley overturn the 32-12 beating they took from Eketahuna in the final series of preliminary round games.
"I would have to say we should be too good for them," Tatana said. "They basically threw everything they could at us and we beat them comfortably, and it's hard to imagine why that shouldn't happen again."
Tatana is not anticipating the unfortunate ending to last Saturday's game - when play was called off after a brawl broke out - having any major effect on the way the sides approach the semi, apart from the fact that the two players sent off for dissent, one from each side, could be missing.
Star Eketahuna midfield back Maia Tua-Davidson and the Stokes Valley player were scheduled to appear before the Wellington Rugby Union judiciary last night, with Tatana hopeful they would be given the all clear to play this weekend.
If Tua-Davidson is stood down, her place at second five-eighth will probably be taken by usual flanker Shaan Waru, who is not unfamiliar with the position.
"She [Waru] would slot in well there, she'll run hard and tackle even harder, "Tatana said. "And we do have some depth in the loose forwards, so we would be able to cover her absence there okay."
Tatana expects the Stokes Valley tactics to be similar to last weekend when they placed the emphasis on dominating the forward exchanges and he said Eketahuna would be ready to counter that approach. Saturday's match kicks off at 11.30am.
