Waikato’s positive attitude in big win pleases

RUGBY: Eight tries for, and none against.

It’s nothing less than what Waikato would have been expecting out of their Ranfurly Shield defence against King Country in Matamata on Saturday, but satisfying all the same.

They won 55-0, and what impressed coach Sean Botherway in particular was his team’s attitude, which was never dampened, despite the wet conditions.

‘‘It’s not often we play in conditions like that, and to be as posi-

They did score eight tries in the end, but six of those came in quick flurries - three in the ten minutes at the end of the first half and another three in the final five minutes of the second half.

Hooker Hame Faiva led the way with a brace, while the others were scored by lock Brian Alainu’uese, flanker Murray Iti, centre Tevita Taufui, fullback Jordan Trainor and substitute backs Sevu Reece and Matty Lansdown.

Separating the two productive periods were long stretches where King Country’s defence and the conditions combined to frustrate Waikato, but despite being kept scoreless for large chunks of the game, they never lost their heads.

Their run-on side included three debutants and three players with just a single cap to their name, and Botherway said the experience showed by some of their more senior players had been key to them staying composed.

‘‘It’s a real credit to Sammy (Christie) and Whetu (Douglas) and a couple of the other experienced players, who just kept things pretty simple.

‘‘I thought the way we managed the conditions was a real positive, and the set piece functioned well, and we just kept it very basic.’’

One of those with one cap was 20-year-old fullback Jordan Trainor, who made his debut in last year’s win over Hawke’s Bay which gave Waikato the Shield. As well as scoring a try, he had six conversions and a penalty. He has had an injury-riddled year so far, but Botherway is hopeful he’ll be able to contribute in the coming season.

‘‘He’s certainly a quality player, we’re well aware of that. He’s had a year developing with the Blues and with the New Zealander under-20s,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re just hopeful that Jordan can put some regular rugby together and stay injury free.’’

Waikato’s squad for the National Provincial Championship will be named on Monday, a sign that things are heating up, with the start of the season now just three weeks away.

‘‘The lads will come in on a fulltime capacity from Monday, and we’ll get to spend some more time together and start working hard on the details of our game and developing combinations,’’ said Botherway.

Waikato’s final preseason Ranfurly Shield defence is in Cambridge this Saturday, against Wanganui.