Ngongotaha's Arapata Matekuere runs the ball against Rotoiti last weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser
Ngongotaha's Arapata Matekuere runs the ball against Rotoiti last weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser
The fitness of Bay of Plenty's club rugby sides will be tested during the next week.
Round five kicks off this weekend, with round six being played on Wednesday (Anzac Day), followed by round seven, three days later, on Saturday, April 28.
Ngongotaha v Paroa
Ngongotaha started their 2018 premier campaign with a 26-20 win over Arataki in round one. However, they have faced sides who are right in the running for a top four spot and are yet to achieve a second victory.
Tomorrow,they host Paroa, who are in a similar situation. They have played three of the current top four sides and sit bottom of the table without a win.
Both sides will have this encounter marked down as an opportunity to get a win on the board.
Ngongotaha coach Jodie Wharekura said his side's focus was on delivering a positive performance week after week irrespective of the result.
"Regardless of the score we want to send a message to all premier clubs that we always want to be able to walk off the field knowing that we have given everything to achieve a result and if that is not good enough then so be it.
"Paroa do not go out every week to be beaten and we expect them to be targeting this game, as are we. Our levels of concentration, game plan execution and discipline need to be at their best if we are to beat a Paroa side looking to kick-start their season," Wharekura said.
Rotoiti, who beat Ngongotaha last weekend, travel to 11th placed Whakatane Marist with their eyes on a top four spot. They sit fifth, just two points behind Rangataua.
Rotoiti coach Richard Francis said his side were pleased to achieve a bonus point win last weekend.
"You need to collect bonus points early in the season to get out of the red zone, so the last few games you know you're safe. You don't want to go into that last game wanting five points to make the top eight.
"The problem with facing those bottom four teams is on their day, if you have an off day, they can beat you. We respect all our opposition, we don't go into any game thinking it's going to be easy," Francis said.
He expected a physical battle against Whakatane.
"I think they'll play an open game and they have a few Fijian boys in the team who will be quite physical. It should be a good battle up front and we love that physical confrontation.
"Against Ngongotaha we had some good passages of play and did a lot of the things we wanted to do, now we just need to enhance that and build towards that perfect game."
Doug Edwards on the run for Whakarewarewa earlier this season. Photo / File
Whakarewarewa v Te Puke
Whakarewarewa were made to rue a slow start last weekend, conceding 22 points in the first 10 minutes on their way to a 46-21 loss to Rangataua.
They sit in seventh place, but could leap-frog Te Puke, who are sixth, with a win tomorrow.
Whakarewarewa coach Boxer Smith said he was pleased with how his side performed last week, particularly at the set piece.
"We just have to work on that slow start, we need to get the boys in a frame of mind to fire from the get-go.
"We know [Te Puke] are very structured and very fit, so they'll play to their shape. I think we'll be looking to have a good attitude at ruck and maul and be physical in that area. The onus will be on our forwards to lay the platform," Smith said.
Baywide Premier Club Rugby Draw Saturday (Premier kick-off: 2.45pm, Development kick-off: 1pm): Mount Maunganui Sports v Greerton Marist at Blake Park, Whakarewarewa v Te Puke Sports at Puarenga Park, Ngongotaha v Paroa at Ngongotaha Domain, Tauranga Sports v Te Puna at Tauranga Domain, Whakatane Marist v Rotoiti at Rugby Park, Arataki v Rangataua at Arataki Park.
Baywide Division One Draw Saturday (kick-off: 2.45pm): Judea v Ruatoki at Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park, Rangiuru v Marist St Michael's at Centennial Park, Murupara v Kahukura at Ngati Manawa, Opotiki v Te Teko at Princess St Reserve, Papamoa v Waimana at Gordon Spratt Reserve, Waikite v Poroporo at Bellvue Road.
