Are Eastern now favourites for Mangonui title?

FROM PAGE 28 competition , are now struggling to make the top eight. Their hope now is the buffer they have over the next bottom side. Their 4-36 thumping by Penrith without their State of Origin players was absolutely shocking. Coach Stephen Kearney is confident the side will bounce back against the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night.

“We need to be better, everyone needs to improve to go from here,” he said. The guy is kidding! Sadly, for the progression of league in this country, we look to the Warriors but the possibility of this side making the top four play offs now looks very unlikely. Likewise, what’s happening in the local competition? With sides giving up and defaulting, are we about to see league perish again? More on this later.

You have got to give it to this Eastern side. Tough and full of confidence, their 23-16 win over arch rivals Awanui suggests they are favourites to win the Mangonui senior club rugby title for the second time. The difference here is that they are well coached. Awanui will always be tough but the problem is this is a side which relies on a few of their top players. If they are not on the paddock, Awanui are just a shadow. Now the East Coasters face Kaita¯ia in town, a side that has given them headaches. The townies have plenty of team spirit and they have the numbers but the class of Eastern’s play and the fitness will be their downfall.

Picks: Te Rarawa a big one over Panguru, Eastern to thump Kaita¯ia. And that’s how Mat sees it.