Feilding chase history as they enter final straight

The Feilding High School 1st XV has been advised to embrace the moment as they prepare for their CNI final against Wesley College in Pukekohe today.

They set off in a bus yesterday to ensure they had plenty of time for their tilt at their first CNI title.

It is part of their ironman-like streak of matches with today’s final set to be their fifth game in 15 days.

They have not lost a match in that streak, which has included two Hurricanes co-ed knock-out matches, a must-win CNI pool match and CNI semifinal.

Coach Mark Mcalley said those matches counted for little this now with the team needing to display a mixture of big-game mentality and cool-heads in the final.

‘‘When the moments come in the game, we have got to seize them,’’ he said. ‘‘If they want something bad enough, they have to go out and take it. They need to embrace the moment and not let it get to them. We have got to get in our heads that it is just another game of footy. If you go into the game too emotional, you worry too much about the outcome.’’

Mcalley was expecting Wesley to try and take control up front.

‘‘They have big strong ball runners so they will try and dominate the game with their size and physicality,’’ he said.

So accuracy and discipline was

key for Feilding.

‘‘We will have to be clinical in everything we do. We have to have massive line-speed, chop-tackles and double-tackles.’’

Feilding have named a near full-strength squad for the match, but will be missing prop Jack Fleury who was red carded for a push to the face during the team’s midweek Hurricanes knockout match.

The Wanganui judiciary banned him for two weeks on Thursday night. That suspension means Leo Wiki moves from lock to his preferred position in the front row with TK Howden getting a start in the second row.

James Bolton remains the key to the Feilding lineout and is also handy around the park.

Tyler Moeau has recovered from the dislocated shoulder he picked up against St Paul’s last weekend and starts at openside flanker with Lennox Shanks on the blindside and captain David Parker at No 8.

Star midfielder Josiah Maraku will be the focal point of the Feilding backs. Fresh off a hat-trick against Wanganui Collegiate, he will be a dangerous attacking weapon at centre.

Griffen Culver and Kody Edwards have a strong 9-10 combination.

Fullback Drew Wild has been tested under the high ball a number of times this season and has passed every inquisition.

It is only Wesley’s second season in the CNI, but they have yet to beat Feilding in the competition.

A penalty on fulltime saw Feilding beat Wesley 16-13 in Feilding earlier this year when they claimed the Rick Francis Memorial Shield, which they still hold. They also beat Wesley 14-7 in Pukekohe last season.

After the CNI final, Feilding will play the final of the Hurricanes co-ed knockout tournament on August 26 at CET Arena.