East Coast's chance to break hoodoo

East Coast will chase their first win over Wanganui when NPC second division rugby hits Ruatoria's Whakarua Park for the first time today.

The sides have met 16 times - the last clash in 1996 when Wanganui scraped home 14-13 on their way to winning the third division title.

East Coast began their campaign encouragingly last weekend with a 30-36 loss to second division heavyweights Hawkes Bay in Napier, proving that they would not be the easybeats that some had predicted.

Wanganui lost 15-19 to Manawatu at home in their first match last Sunday.

At Te Kuiti, King Country will look to get their season on track today after losing to Thames Valley 14-16 last Sunday.

Nelson Bays, who had the bye last weekend, are expecting a tough forward encounter.

Coach Bill Liddell said the King Country side played much of the game around the edges of rucks and maul.

"We are in for a very physical confrontation, there will be no question about that."

Hawkes Bay one of the title favourites, face Marlborough at home.

A talented backline that includes former All Blacks' halfback Stu Forster, South African first five-eighths Marius Kriel, and Zimbabwe wingers Karl Mudzamba and Tafadzwa Manyimo should give Hawkes Bay the edge.

Canadian import Eric Forsyth will spearhead Manawatu for the clash against Mid-Canterbury.

The South Island side will find it hard to combat the 1.96m lock on Manawatu's home ground at the Palmerston North Showgrounds Oval today.

- NZPA