Women's Rugby: Rotoiti host Whakarewarewa

It is the game many have been waiting all season for and, going on recent form, when Rotoiti host Whakarewarewa on Sunday it will be anyone's game.

After four rounds of the Baywide Women's Premier competition, Whakarewarewa sit in third place with two wins and three bonus points from four games. However, Rangataua and Rangiuru above them have played one less, having already sat out a bye each.

Meanwhile, Rotoiti had a tough start to the season, going up against the competition's top two sides in the opening rounds. They come into this match in decent form, though, having picked up their first win of the season against Matata last weekend. That win moved them up to sixth place.

Rotoiti coach Victoria Grant said consistency with their set piece would be a key focus for her side as they looked to build on the momentum achieved during their previous performance.

"As a team we want to continue delivering strong and consistent set pieces, while maintaining our intensity for the full 80 minutes.

"It is important that we continue to build on our momentum from the Matata game, the girls played with confidence in that game and we want that to continue," Grant said.

She highlighted the steady improvement and development of the team this season and the supportive role whānau play.

"We have been growing well as a team since the beginning of the competition especially having 11 new players to the game in our squad.

"But every week we are improving, we have a great environment, our girls love playing rugby on Sundays and it's a real whānau affair with our children, husbands and partners all being involved," she said.

Whakarewarewa No8 Julia Florence dodges a tackle against Rangiuru earlier this season. Photo / File

Whakarewarewa coach Ron James said he wanted his side to continue building as a team and demonstrating improvement this weekend.

"The biggest focus for us is our consistency and showing improvement week after week. To show consistency with our set piece and getting the girls to gel together will be a positive outcome this weekend," James said.

He said an inexperienced forward pack required time and technical support to work well together.

"Our biggest work-on is our scrum at the moment. We have three girls back from last year's forward pack so there is a lot of work to be done in that area to ensure the girls get their technique right and gel as a forward pack so that is going to be huge for us."

Baywide Women's Rugby Draw
Sunday
Kickoff: 1pm
Rangiuru v Matata at Centennial Park
Rotoiti v Whakarewarewa at Emery Park
Waikite v Rangataua at Bellvue Park
Waimana – Bye