Rugby: Game of life for lesser lights at Eden Park

Third division

When defending champions East Coast agreed to play their final round-robin home game against Horowhenua-Kapiti at Eden Park in Auckland, they were aware of the marketing possibility.

Recipients of just $5000 from the $1.7 million profit made by the Hurricanes this year, East Coast decided not to sit back and moan.

"Auckland were good to us. They offered us a game at Eden Park [the curtainraiser to the Auckland-Otago clash today] and a chance to treat corporate sponsors," said East Coast chief executive Anthony Nelson.

"You don't often get first-division teams prepared to do something for you for next to nothing.

"Our relationship with Auckland is great. They've been good to us. They've given us the opportunity to try things in a marketing sense and we just couldn't ask for more."

Nelson said Auckland's move to offer to host a home game showed the union deserved more credit than it was often given.

"You get all the people who poke fun at Auckland, tell us they're arrogant, they're selfish and they don't care what happens south of the Bombay Hills.

"But they've been wonderful to us, we have a great relationship with them and they certainly do care about what happens south of the Bombays.

"Other first-division teams could take a leaf out of their book and lend a helping hand."

Horowhenua-Kapiti's chairman Leo Fitzgibbon was also delighted with the move.

"With the changes to rugby, unless a team is holding the Ranfurly Shield, you probably don't get a third-division team playing at a major stadium," he said.

"This is a great opportunity for our players to get a run on such a historic and important stadium like Eden Park.

"We have to congratulate East Coast for taking this game to Auckland. Our players are just humming at the chance of running on to the park."

Horowhenua-Kapiti, though, will have a good reason to perform against second-placed East Coast.

Captain Fabian Spencer will be looking for a strong finish to his team's season before he puts his feet up and watches younger brother Carlos perform for Auckland.

With the final four already decided in the third division, East Coast go into the game inspired by halfback Victor Taingahue.

"I spent most of the season on the sidelines after being suspended, but I'd never change teams.

"You just don't leave your family if you've had a squabble," Taingahue said.

A win to East Coast can put them in the box seat for a home semifinal and possibly a repeat home final.

Division leaders Poverty Bay face a tough away match against North Otago, who can finish top of the table with a win.

Fourth-placed Wairarapa-Bush, who were at the top of the table just a fortnight ago, need a good win to get their fortunes back on track.

The Bush travel to Timaru for their final round-robin match, against Mid-Canterbury, and only a good win will give them the fillip and confidence they need heading into the semifinals.

And in a local derby, the West Coast host Buller, in Greymouth.

Points: Poverty Bay 27, East Coast 26, North Otago 25, Wairarapa-Bush 23, South Canterbury 17, Horowhenua-Kapiti 12, West Coast 5, Buller 4.

- NZPA