Reihana thrown into goalkicking hotseat

By CHRIS RATTUE

Bruce Reihana has had a crash course in goalkicking over the past week or so, but at least he has had one of the best in the business to guide him.

Waikato coach Ian Foster admitted his side were caught unawares when front-line kickers David Hill and Loki Crichton both suffered injuries against Southland that have put them out of action for about a month.

That meant Reihana stepped up to the tee against North Harbour. He landed three out of eight, striking the ball well at Waikato Stadium, although his accuracy was inconsistent.

Goalkicking could be vital when Waikato take on Taranaki in the clash of the only unbeaten teams in the NPC in New Plymouth tomorrow afternoon.

Waikato's points record-holder, Matthew Cooper, has been helping Reihana with his goalkicking and Foster said he had every confidence the wing could land the necessary goals. First five-eighths Derek Maisey is the next back-up.

"I was actually quite impressed with the way Bruce struck the ball," said Foster.

"He landed a couple of important goals against Harbour - the first one and the one just after halftime.

"You don't really plan for losing your No 1 and No 2 goalkickers in the same game and start having to rely on your Nos 3 and 4.

"Bruce only found out last week he'd be kicking but he's really keen and done a lot of work since then with Matthew Cooper."

With injuries to six squad players in previous weeks, Foster decided to keep things on an even keel and stay with the side which beat Harbour. The only change sees prop Tony Philp replace David Briggs on the bench.

"I don't see this as a top-of-the-table clash," Foster said.

"It's only round three in a very even competition, and teams are still sorting themselves out. There's a long way to go and still plenty of surprises around the corner.

"We spent huge periods of the game against North Harbour without the ball. We're a long, long way from having our game where we want it to be."

Taranaki will start the inexperienced Denning Tyrell at halfback and Richard Bryant at flanker.

Tyrell comes in for New Zealand Maori halfback Brendan Haami, while Bryant replaces Neil Crowley, who has a slight knee problem.

Samoan halfback Tyrell, who arrived in Taranaki from Wanganui last year, has had about a dozen NPC first-division matches, all as a replacement.

Bryant was not in the squad last year and has had a handful of appearances including just one in the NPC as a substitute.

* Bay of Plenty will be without flanker Dave Dillon for the rest of the season.

Dillon, who played in the opener against North Harbour, has told the Bay he will not be able to return from his club in Ireland.