Whatarau in position for Championship semifinal
WHEN Zoe Whatarau lined up for last year’s Farah Palmer Cup Championship semifinal she was playing halfback — this year she will turn out at flanker.
The positions might not seem the most interchangeable, but they are the two the 24yearold has dabbled in over the past few years.
It is back at her original position on the side of the scrum that she will play for the Otago Spirit against Hawke’s Bay at Forsyth Barr Stadium today.
That is where she intends to stay as well, although it took this season to reach that conclusion.
‘‘I’m not changing again — that’s it, I’m done changing positions. I’m a flanker and that’s it.
‘‘I prefer flanker now.
‘‘At the start of the Otago season this year I thought I’d much rather be halfback.
‘‘But now I’m back playing flanker I’m like ‘I love all the work you get to do playing flanker’ in comparison to halfback and just passing and following the ball.’’
Whatarau first made the switch to halfback when her AlhambraUnion side was short on backs.
A year later she saw an opening in the Spirit No 9 jersey, while the side was loaded with quality loose forwards.
Seeking more game time, she took the opportunity and started every game last season.
It had been a challenging transition, although one she put plenty of work into.
‘‘It was really good having [previous coach] Kane Jury there. He gave me a lot of workons to do by myself.
‘‘It meant practising my pass everyday and making sure I was getting to training early to practise my kicking and what not.
‘‘But I put a lot of effort into improving it before the Otago season started, just so I could feel confident in my own game.
‘‘But it’s a lot different to playing flanker, that’s for sure.’’
She remained in the position during the club season, but after the Spirit coaches suggested she return to flanker, she switched back. It was there she would remain and hoped to do so in blue and gold.
While originally from Taihape in Manawatu, she plans on remaining in the south after completing her oral health degree this year.
She is not looking that far ahead yet though.
While the Spirit claimed a handy 3112 win over Hawke’s Bay earlier in the season, the side was not taking today’s game lightly.
Whatarau said last time the sides met Hawke’s Bay had travelled on the day and flooded fields meant it had not trained that week. She knew they would be better prepared this time, although the side was confident going into the game.
If it wins, it will play the winner of the other semifinal — between Wellington and North Harbour — next week for a shot at promotion to the Premiership.