Finals time at Lansdowne
Whatever happens at Lansdowne Park tomorrow, history will be made.
Both the Marlborough division one rugby finalists will bid to write a new chapter in the province’s rugby annals - only at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Moutere are hoping to extend their proud record of 31 Marlborough senior titles, the most by any club, while Renwick will be vying for their first premier crown.
While past successes make this a battle of the haves and the havenots, the form book suggests it couldn’t be much tighter.
The sides have met twice before this season, both games decided by a late try and won by the away team. In the first round, the Green Machine won 19-15 at Spring Creek while Moutere prevailed 21-20 in Renwick earlier this month.
There are many similarities between the finalists, both fielding physical, well-organised forward packs and exciting back divisions, laden with gamebreakers.
Moutere will again rely on explosive ball-carriers such as Vernon Fredericks, Mike Curry, Baxter Wilson, Ben Finau, Aisea Halo and Johnny Ika to ignite their attack while Renwick can call on the finishing skills of Cody Weir, Rusiate Saukuru, Pecile Denicaucau, Regan Marshall, Kavekini Tabu and Glen Ballam.
In Jordan Newman, for Moutere, and Renwick’s Kurt Schollum they have two usually reliable goalkickers, both able to convert from long distance, so discipline will be a key.
Moutere boast a definite edge in big match experience, a majority of their side having been involved in previous finals, including their most recent victory, in 2015.
Renwick, on the other hand, are heading into uncharted waters. After being unable to win a single game in 2014 and 2015, their centenary season, they have turned their fortunes around in a remarkably short space of time.
The Green Machine’s head coach Glen Blackmore puts his side’s resurgence down to several factors - fitness, teamwork, a strong bench and each player’s ability to do their job properly.
‘‘We’ve got to make sure we take our opportunities when they come,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ve relied on our team ethos throughout the year and our bench has always come to the party so the longer we stay in the game we are confident we can do the business.
‘‘We put a lot of work into our fitness, so we are confident we can go the 80 [minutes], or longer if needed.’’
Despite the enticing lure of a first title for his club, Blackmore said the team had steered away from talk of making history and were concentrating on the job at hand. ‘‘We set our goal at the start of the season, which was to win the competition, so this is where we need to be.’’
His counterpart, Moutere head coach Dave McCormick, said the keys to success for his side were simple. ‘‘We just need to hold onto the ball, keep playing the way we have been playing. We have got a good forward pack ... a good set of loose forwards and some very talented backs.’’
He was mindful, however, of the threat Renwick posed. ‘‘Most of their backs are pretty sharp and they like to play a wide game. They all seem to be enjoying their rugby and have a good team spirit.
‘‘They have been at the bottom of a lot of years ... now they have a really good committee together and are doing really well, throughout the club.’’
McCormick’s largesse extends only so far though .
‘‘Both clubs have their prizegiving on Saturday night, so we will all be having a party no matter what ... but one club is obviously going to be happier than the other,’’ he said.
The rival skippers were also upbeat about their chances, while having maximum respect for a tough opponent.
Magpies leader Baxter Wilson pinpointed his side’s clean set piece work as a key to success. ‘‘Over the last couple of weeks our scrum in particular has been strong, which has helped our backs get good front foot ball.
‘‘Everyone is pretty confident we can lift our game to another level on Saturday, if we get our basics right.’’
His rival, Renwick co-captain Glen Ballam, said the feeling throughout his club was very positive. ‘‘The club and community are excited to get behind the boys and see them go one step further. We know it’s a huge chance to make history, but the team have just got to stay composed. Many haven’t played in a final at this level, it’s about keeping a cool head and not getting caught up in the moment.’’
Neither side will lack for support on Saturday, but it seems black and white will be the predominant colours at the park, with three Moutere sides vying for titles on finals day.
The action on Lansdowne 1 starts with the Tasman women’s final at 11.15am, Moutere taking on the Marist side from Nelson. The Magpies women will start as slight favourites after topping the round robin series but a tight battle is expected.
Moutere’s second division side have forged an unbeaten record, downing their final rivals, Marlborough Boys’ College Old Boys, in three meetings so far this season. They met in the 2016 final, which Moutere won 20-14, so the vastly-experienced Old Boys combination will be keen to turn that result around.