Injuries hit SC squad for Lochore Cup semi
An injury-hit South Canterbury rugby side face a tough task in their Lochore Cup semifinal against Buller in Westport today.
South Canterbury finished the Heartland Championship’s regular season in seventh spot and will need to lift out of their second half doldrums if they hope to make the final.
On the positive side South Canterbury beat Buller 38-27 in round five but since then have lost their way, having twice given up healthy halftime leads.
Coach Nigel Walsh, already without his regular captain Nick Strachan since early October, has also lost four regular starters from last week’s loss to West Coast with second five Joel Smith out with concussion, blindside Solomone Lavaka and fullback Zac Saunders suffering knee injuries while a shoulder complaint has sidelined big winger Clarence Moli.
Walsh has moved first-five Miles Medlicott out one spot to cover second-five, while regular halfback and goal kicker Willie Wright goes to first-five, with Theo Davidson coming off the bench to start at halfback.
In Saunders absence, James Wilson Bishop slots into fullback and his place on the bench is taken by player-of-origin Reilly Cormack, while Molitini Latu comes in on the wing for Moli.
In the pack Anthony Amato is a straight swap for Lavaka on the blindside.
Ryan McNab has also been called up from the development side and bracketed at No 8 with Siu Kakala, who cannot get off work until 1am on the morning of the game, and will still have to travel to Westport.
In a surprise move a second prop, Garret Casey, has been added to the bench alongside Aifala Taelega and hooker Cameron Hucker, in place of loose forward Amato.
That means a five-two split in favour of the forwards on the bench.
Walsh said with rain forecast on the Coast he opted for the forward firepower.
‘‘The ground is likely to be heavy so we likely need some firepower off the bench.’’
As for Wright’s move to first-five, it allowed Davidson a start, he said.
‘‘Theo is a very good footballer and we have a lot of faith in him, while with Miles and Shane [Anderson] we also have a very strong midfield.’’
Walsh was taking the injury toll on the chin.
‘‘It just gives others an opportunity and I’m confident we can get the job done. We are going over to win.
‘‘We just need to get the hunger and attitude right.’’
Walsh admitted the last 20 minutes had been causing concerns, in not being able to close out games.
‘‘We can talk the talk, but need to walk the walk on Saturday.’’
It is the first time in five years South Canterbury has not made the top four Meads Cup semis, so Walsh will be keen to lift the silverware and claim fifth spot.
After leading the competition at week six of eight, South Canterbury plummeted to seventh place in the tightest championship since its inception.
Buller will be no easybeats, especially if they get the ball out wide.
Winger Mitieli Kaloudigibeci and centre Iliesa Ravudra are real threats while Buller can also call on plenty of experience with halfback Andrew Stephens playing his 126th game.
In the other Lochore semifinal, West Coast, who finished as the top qualifier after beating South Canterbury a week ago, will host Poverty Bay and should win comfortably.
In the Meads Cup, top seeds and defending champions Thames Valley host Wanganui, who have won five games on the trot, in what will be a grassroots classic.
North Otago host Wairarapa Bush, having qualified for their first top flight semifinal since 2013.
The Old Golds should be too good having already beaten Wairarapa Bush in the round robin 25-11.
South Canterbury (from 1): Tokoma’ata Fakatava, Ben Hewitson, Dan Suter, Kieran Coll, Reegan O’Gorman, Anthony Amato, Cam Russell, Ryan McNab (Siu Kakala), Theo Davidson, Willie Wright, Kalavini Leatigaga, Miles Medlicott, Shane Anderson, Clarence Moli, James Wilson Bishop. (substitutes) Cameron Hucker, Afailia Taelega, Garret Casey, Matt Stewart, Siu Kakala (Ryan McNab), Reilly Cormack, Jared Trevathan.