Wairarapa-Bush need to be vigilant

The danger of being lulled into a false sense of security confronts Wairarapa-Bush as they prepare for their Heartland Championship rugby match with Lochore Cup holders Poverty Bay in Gisborne tomorrow.

Memories of their 46-14 thumping of the home team in their Jeremy David Memorial Trophy match at Memorial Park three weeks back will still be fresh in the minds of Wairarapa-Bush but they could be in for a shock if they take anything for granted on this occasion.

Nothing is surer than Poverty Bay being a very different beast tomorrow.

The fact that championship points are at stake will be a big enough incentive alone for them to raise their game and confidence will have grown after good wins over New Zealand Army (42-27) and Horowhenua-Kapiti (31-15) in the past fortnight.

The match with Horowhenua-Kapiti opened Poverty Bay's 2012 Heartland campaign and, by running in four tries, they also picked up a bonus point and lead the competition with North Otago. By all accounts, Poverty Bay struggled to get any real rhythm into their play in a scrappy first-half effort but blew Horowhenua-Kapiti off the park in the second, with centre Paula Tikomainaivalu causing all sorts of problems.

Tikomainaivalu, built like an express train with similar speed and strength, had also proved a real handful for Wairarapa-Bush in their Jeremy David Trophy game and you can wager Poverty Bay management were quick to make a mental note of the ease at which he found holes in the sliding defence utilised by Wairarapa-Bush.

They will obviously be looking for more of the same tomorrow and how Wairarapa-Bush cope with the challenges posed by the big midfielder could have a huge say in the end result.

Head coach Mark Rutene and assistant Paddy Gough have made five changes to the Wairarapa-Bush starting line-up for the Gisborne match from that which initially took the field in the 32-12 win over South Canterbury last weekend.

In what is a clear sign of the faith Rutene and Gough have in the depth of their squad, Jamie Hunt comes in for Richard Puddy at hooker, Jon Fuimaono for Wilba Davies at prop and Lachie McFadzean for Tom Fleming at lock.

In the backs, Inia Katia replaces Matt O'Connor at halfback and Nathan Hunt will start on the wing, a move which sees Nick Olson go from wing to fullback and Glen Walters from fullback to first-five, in place of Byron Karaitiana.

Even with so many changes, the odds are that Wairarapa-Bush will adopt a similar style of rugby as they did against South Canterbury, a style based around controlling the forward exchanges and spending plenty of time in opposition territory.

The onus will be on old hands like Kurt Simmonds and Andrew McLean to ensure the physical approach, which has been such a feature of the forward play, is sustained. And judging by the outstanding form they have shown in recent weeks, they will relish that challenge.

There was no greater talking point after the South Canterbury match than the substitution of McLean, who had been so prominent in lineout and general play, and it will be a surprise if that late change occurs again.

Also vital for Wairarapa-Bush will be the accuracy of their tactical kicking and it will be Glen Walters who will hold the key there. Walters has been in great form since joining the squad at the start of the representative season.

Wairarapa-Bush team for tomorrow: Nick Olson, Nathan Hunt, Jessie McGilvary, Titapu Paraima-Lewington, Cameron Hayton, Glen Walters, Inia Katia, Jim Tikoisuva, Johan van Vliet, Andrew McLean, Lachie McFadzean, James Goodger, Kurt Simmonds, Jamie Hunt, Jon Fuimaono. Reserves: Matt O'Connor, Byron Karaitiana, Michael Te Whare, Richard Puddy, Wilba Davies, Johnie McFadzean, Tom Fleming.