Defence Blacks keen to put emphasis on attack
The Defence Blacks have loaded up with plenty of firepower as they look to repel a French invasion in Palmerston North on Sunday.
The New Zealand defence forces rugby team faces the French Armed Forces in a match which doubles as the curtain-raiser for the Turbos’ season opener against Wellington and the Military Trinations opener.
Coach Lyall Mooney said his side lacked a bit of size compared to the French.
‘‘We probably do not have the height, but I am banking on our athleticism and our style of game to counter those deficiencies,’’ Mooney said.
‘‘We will be very physical. These will apply the warrior-ethos. That is how we are going to have to shape our game. But when you have talent like what we have in the backs... we want to move the ball out wide.’’
While they do not know exactly how the French will play, Mooney was in charge when the Defence Blacks fell to them 24-19 at the International Defence Rugby Cup in 2015.
‘‘They were very physical in the forward pack. They like to rumble it up, they do like to play in close and have their one-off runners running. But last time we played them there seemed to be an urgency to get it to their wings,’’ Mooney said.
The Defence Blacks’ strength will come in the backs.
Two provincially capped players are in the starting side in former Manawatu Turbos Hamiora Thomas and Jaxon Tagavaitau.
Fringe Turbos and Ohakea Air Force men Ben Wyness and Patrick Tafili-reid have also been named.
Wyness, who will captain the team, has been bashing down the door of provincial rugby for the past two seasons.
But the deep stocks of No 10s in the has left him on the outside looking in.
Tafili-reid has also spent much of the provincial preseason with the Turbos. The midfielder/ wing is in his come-back season after two years off rugby following a broken leg.
Manawatu Development XV wing Jarred Deal and halfback Tejay Oliver have been released for the match.
Former Varsity wing Tafa Tafa rounds out the starting backline with fleet-footed Manawatu sevens wing Tamatoa Ropati on the bench.
The forward pack is highlighted by vice captain Logan ‘Bubba’ Broughton, who has shifted from the midfield to blindside flanker.
‘‘He started his career in the
loose forwards, but for whatever reason he was pushed out in the backline - I think he was the only one who could run fast, catch and do other things at the time. I have convinced him to move back in,’’ Mooney said.
Broughton is joined by Navy men Odin Robinson and Josh Westerlund in the loose forwards.
But the team will rely on experienced lock Tainui Woodmass to lead the grunt work in the tight.
‘‘He has played Horowhenuakapiti for the last couple of years. He did not play last year because he was coming back after breaking his foot. He played club rugby this year,’’ Mooney said.
The match kicks off at CET Arena at 2.10pm. It will also be streamed on the team’s Facebook page NZDF Rugby - Defence Blacks.
win could mean third-placed Marist jump up a spot.
They will need second-placed Wellington United to lose to leaders Upper Hutt, who have already sewn up the title.
Marist were beaten 5-2 by Wellington last week in a surprise scoreline, which Marist put down to a hangover from their extratime loss in the national knockout cup a week before.
Marist will want to finish the league strong and put in a good performance against Seatoun, who tend to get up to play Manawatu teams.
Marist won 3-0 in the fist round, but were held to a 1-all draw in the second round.
The Palmerston North Marist Central League men’s team’s final outing in the Central League has been postponed.
Marist were meant to play Wairarapa United at Memorial Park, but because the game clashed with the Marist women, it has been shifted to next weekend even though the rest of the league will wrap up on Saturday.
Last-placed Marist have already had their relegation back to Federation League confirmed and the game against second-placed Wairarapa should be one last punishment.
In the Federation League, Red Sox-manawatu will play Marist Reserves at Ashhurst Domain and Massey University will host Wanganui Athletic.
Gisborne Thistle will host Havelock North Wanderers, who have already won the league with two rounds remaining, on Sunday.
New Plymouth Rangers have the bye.