Wairarapa Bush CEO Tony Hargood and HKRU CEO Corey Kennett pictured with the PGG Wrightson Cup in 2019. Photo / Dave Lintott
Wairarapa Bush CEO Tony Hargood and HKRU CEO Corey Kennett pictured with the PGG Wrightson Cup in 2019. Photo / Dave Lintott
Horowhenua-Kāpiti have another date with "The Pig" at Levin Domain tomorrow.
It's the nickname the team had given to the PGG Wrightson Cup, on the line every time the team play cross-mountain rivals Wairarapa Bush. The Bush are current holders of The Pig.
They'd come up with the shortened moniker simply because it was a lot easier to say.
But there's more to the match than just an unfortunately named trophy. It's a do-or-die game as Horowhenua-Kāpiti look to keep their competition playoff hopes alive.
Two consecutive losses on the back of four straight wins, including a 28-11 defeat to Thames Valley at Levin Domain last weekend, saw HK drop to sixth place on the Bunnings Heartland Championship.
Yet there is still a mathematical chance of making the finals if they can tame the Bush tomorrow, and win their final game against Poverty Bay in Gisborne a week later.
Horowhenua-Kāpiti captain Ryan Shelford gets support from prop David McErlean and No 8 Benedict Grant against Thames Valley at Levin Domain.
Due to a delayed Covid-19 season, there are no semi-finals for either the Lochore Cup or Meads Cup, which will both be played in a fortnight on November 13.
The top two qualifiers will play for the Meads Cup, while the third and fourth qualifiers will play a one-off final for the Lochore Cup. There will also be a playoff match for fifth and sixth this season.
Two wins for HK from their remaining games and they would likely make the top four.
Ahead of HK on the points table at present are the unbeaten teams South Canterbury and Thames Valley with six wins, while Whanganui, Mid Canterbury and North Otago all had the same number of wins as HK - four - but were ahead by virtue of more bonus points.
HK coach Chris Wilton said good results early on wouldn't count for much if they couldn't round off the season strongly.
"This is do or die. If we want to play in finals this is a must-win game. Every game is a must-win game. It's as simple as that," he said.
"This game will determine our season."
Horowhenua-Kāpiti prop Dave McErlean runs into some heavy traffic with Benedict Grant and Joel Winterburn about to come to the rescue.
The only change to the starting team was at first five-eighth, where an unlucky Ash Tatu-Robertsson makes way for the return of former international Kahn Fotuali'i.
Winger Willie Paia'aua comes back into the reserves after injuring himself in the first game against Buller.
HK were gallant in defeat to Thames Valley last weekend but were left rueing missed opportunities, handing over possession on seven occasions when camped in the opposition 22m.
They toiled hard against a big Thames Valley side, but ultimately came away without any competition points to show for that effort.
The scoreline was 6-all until late in the first half when Thames Valley hooker Sam Van Der Valk scored, and when first five-eighth Todd Doolan dotted down early in the second half, HK were playing catch-up.
Replacement winger Darren Falaniko scored a late try for Horowhenua-Kapiti against Thames Valley last weekend. Photo / Club Rugby
HK struck back through a good try to replacement wing Darren Falaniko, but the visitors put the result beyond reach with a try on fulltime to lock Cameron Dromgool.
Kick-off at Levin Domain tomorrow is 2.30pm. Interestingly, Bush coach Mark Rutene was assistant coach to Wilton when HK won the Lochore Cup in 2018.
Horowhenua-Kāpiti: 1 James Gilland. 2 Bryn Gordon. 3 David McErlean. 4 Ryan Shelford. (Captain). 5 Daniel Smith. 6 Joel Winterburn. 7 Aaron Lahmert. 8 Benedict Grant. 9 Jack Tatu-Robertsson. 10 Kahn Fotuali'i. 11 Lennix Tovo. 12 Leon Ellison. 13 Tautau Kapea. 14 Himiona Henare. 15 Hamish Buick. 16 Scott Cameron/Henry Fonoti. 17 Jordon Tupai-ui. 18 Kolonio Koto. 19 Connor Strang. 20 Thomas Barnsley. 21 Willie Paia'aua. 22 Darren Falaniko.
Wairarapa Bush: 1 Tupou Lea'aemanu. 2 Henry Wilson. 3 Lewis Bush. 4 Vesi Luatua. 5 Andrew McLean. 6 Sam Gammie. 7 BJ Campbell. 8 JosevaTako. 9 Isaac Bracewell. 10 Sam Morison. 11 Moomoo Falaniko. 12 Tipene Haira. 13 Tafa Tafa. 14 Soli Malatai. 15 Inia Katia. 16 James Pakoti. 17 Dominic Herlihy. 18 Matt Perry. 19 Ryan Knell. 20 Daryl Pickering. 21 Matthew Raleigh. 22 Fiula Tameilau.
