Top teams both at home
Marlborough’s leading Tasman Trophy rugby contenders, Moutere and Waitohi, have the opportunity to consolidate their position near the top of the table tomorrow.
Both sides, who won over the hill in Nelson last weekend, have home fixtures this weekend.
The Magpies host Marist, currently fourth in the standings, at Awarua Park. The Nelson-based outfit hammered Harlequins last week, 59-14, and will pose a big threat to a Moutere side missing key loosies Baxter Wilson and Mike Curry with niggling injuries. The home side still have plenty of strike power in their ranks, but must be on their game defensively against a potent Marist backline.
Waitohi, who sit just a point behind the Tasman Trophy leaders, will field a formidable line-up when they host Stoke at Endeavour Park. Stefan Roguski returns to their midfield, while livewire loosie Joe Vunisa is back on the side of the scrum and Manu Mataele comes into the reserves.
The Tohis underlined their ability to score points during their 39-33 win over Kahurangi last week but will be focussed on producing a stronger defensive effort. Stoke downed East Coast 40-20 on Saturday and have been improving as the season progresses. Lofty lock Pari Pari Parkinson and fullback Sam Chamberlain are key players.
The third match on this side of the hill involves Harlequins and Kahurangi at Lansdowne Park. Although these teams prop up the base of the points table, they are very capable of producing freeflowing, effective rugby. Their problem comes on the right side of the for and against column, with both sides conceding an average of 35+ points per game.
Harlequins, who are seeking their first win this season, had some good news this week with the hire of a lighting tower allowing them to schedule regular training nights.
Three Marlborough sides will venture over the Whangamoas, all seeking redemption for first round defeats. Renwick, the best-placed of the trio on the points table, face a tricky assignment against Wanderers in Brightwater. They are battling with backline injuries at the moment and may have to enlist the help of some division two players.
Central, who lost narrowly to Wanderers last week, take on competition-leaders Nelson at Neale Park. The Blues make a change in the forwards with Dusty Foley coming into lock, Reyne Volavola shifting to No 6 and Francis Roebeck to the bench.
East Coast have first five Max Freydell and loose forward Jack Murray out this week when they tackle Waimea Old Boys at Jubilee Park. Sean Martin wil wear the No 10 shirt with Sam Lunn coming into the loose forward mix.
The Marlborough division two competition kicks off tomorrow. Pelorus play Awatere at Havelock, Central meet Moutere at Awarua Park and College Old Boys take on Renwick on the MBC front field.