Teen happy calling the shots
Channel your inner Michael Jackson because the final round of the Farah Palmer Cup is set to be a thriller.
In the Premiership, Canterbury, Waikato and Counties Manukau have the top three spots sewn up, but fourth is still up for grabs.
Manawatu, who play Hawke’s Bay, are fourth on 11 points, followed closely by the Bay of Plenty Volcanix, who play Counties Manukau, on 10.
If the Volcanix can beat Counties and the other Bay do them a favour in beating Manawatu, they are through.
If they lose but gain a bonus point, they are in with a chance, but it could come down to points differential.
Playing Counties in Auckland is unlikely to be a stroll in the park, but Bay of Plenty are riding a wave of confidence after hammering Taranaki 73-0 and producing an historic 34-29 win over Auckland last weekend.
One of the toughest positions to play, in any rugby team, is first five-eighth. It is a role in which you are often in the spotlight and effective decision making is crucial.
At just 19, Bay of Plenty’s Ora Williams has shown maturity beyond her years at first five this season and is one of the masterminds behind her side’s success.
In her second season with the Volcanix, she said the step up to the Premiership had been a big one, but the team was learning how to play to their strengths.
“It’s way faster, the pace of the game, that’s the biggest difference. Lately it has been a lot easier with [32-test Black Fern Renee Wickliffe] outside of me, because she brings so much experience, it just makes me feel more at ease Today, 2.30pm at Massey Park, Auckland Played: 7 (1999-2016) Counties Manukau wins: 2, Bay of Plenty wins: 5 Last match: Counties Manukau 45 Bay of Plenty 12 in Tauranga (2016) Last Bay of Plenty win: Bay of Plenty 22 Counties Manukau 12 in Rotorua (2005) Biggest Counties Manukau score: 45 in Tauranga (2016) Biggest Bay of Plenty score: 60 (1999) knowing she’s there.
“The coaches help me a lot too, they talk to me daily about the game plan. I definitely do [enjoy the responsibility of playing first five], I like play making. That’s what I’ve always liked doing — when I was playing touch as well, it’s quite similar.”
Despite her success at first five this season, Williams moves in to halfback against Counties Manukau today, to cover for the unavailable Jade Tuilaepa. However, it is a position she is familiar with.
“I played halfback all last year. I was supposed to play 10, but we had so many injuries I had to play halfback and I play there for my club (Rangiuru) as well.”
She said beating Auckland last weekend was “unreal” and the team needed to take the confidence they gained from that result into this weekend’s game.
“If we can take that into this game, I think we are definitely in for a good game. The game against Taranaki was a big confidence booster too, and that really helped us against Auckland.
“[Against Auckland] our backs did really well at expressing themselves. Our coach told us before the game to just let everything go and just play. Everyone did that, everyone wanted to be there and everyone was willing to put their body on the 1. Angel Mulu, 2. Lily Florence, 3. Baye Jacob, 4. Kate Henwood, 5. Amanda Aldridge, 6. Kendra Reynolds, 7. Les Elder, 8. Christie Yule (C), 9. Ora Williams, 10. Renee Holmes, 11. Emily Magee, 12. Renee Wickliffe, 13. Hana Tapiata, 14. Polly Playle, 15. Sapphire Tapsell,.Reserves: 16. Rawinia Luka, 17. Braxton Walker, 18. Calli Perrott, 19. Mikyla Wardlaw, 20. Tracey Lemon, 21. Tania Raharuhi, 22. Olivia Richardson line for the team.
“If we stick to what we’ve been learning and buy in to what our coaches say, Counties are a beatable team.
“We can definitely win, that’s my opinion.”
If the Bay of Plenty women stick to their strengths and play like they have during the last fortnight, who could argue with her?