Varsity time their run into business end
Varsity are coming into form and are having their player stocks replenished at the right time of year.
Earlier in the Manawatu¯ club season, Varsity was struck by injuries but they kept picking up results.
Now, players are returning from injury leading into their game against Feilding Old Boys-o¯roua at Massey University today.
Varsity coach Scott Lewis said they were getting better each week and were healthy.
They left it late to beat Old BoysMarist and draw with Kia Toa in the past fortnight but the confidence had always been there, Lewis said.
‘‘I think the main thing is we are getting our stuff sorted at the right time of the season.
‘‘We know how to step up for big moments.
‘‘There is a lot of experience there and it is good to have that and keep the young guys on their toes.’’
Influential midfielder Hamish Northcott returned last week after injuring his leg in week one, while halfback Bryn Wilson and frontrower Flyn Yates also returned.
Hurricanes halfback Jamie Booth, who broke his leg playing for Manawatu¯ last year, has recovered and will play 40 minutes.
Another big boost is loosie Dallas Tatana, who is back from Japan.
Prop Tony Walker-leawere is back after a week off and bustling loose forward Joe Tako also returned last week.
Hooker Ben Strang will miss this week with a knee complaint and lockmatt Masoe is also injured.
Varsity are third, unlikely to catch the top two, Feilding and Col
Scott Lewis Varsity coach
lege Old Boys, and unlikely to drop.
Lewis said the last few weeks of the regular season would be like a chess game.
‘‘We are trying to figure out a couple of things before we play each other for keeps.’’
He was not looking ahead of this weekend though because he said Fob-o¯roua, who lost 40-10 to COB last week, were a better side than their results showed. An injury-hit Varsity won the first-round clash 23-13.
College Old Boys host Feilding in a top-of-the-table clash at the Arena, Palmerston North.
Unbeaten Feilding comfortably won the high-scoring game in the first round 58-34, College’s only loss this year.
A Feilding win should ensure they finish the regular season as the top side but College won’t let them have it easy.
Old Boys-marist have a chance to keep their slim finals hopes alive against Te Kawau at the Arena.
Te Kawau already have the inside running to secure fourth place and if they win, it would guarantee it.
The two sides drew 17-all in the first round but Te Kawau have been in good form in the past fortnight and are coming off a 29-17 win over Kia Toa.
OBM are nine points adrift in fifth after they lost 39-32 to Varsity last week.
Freyberg could be in line to get their first win of the year against an inconsistent Kia Toa team at Bill Brown Park, Palmerston North.
Freyberg have threatened this year but have not been able to get across the line, while Kias have been up and down with only three wins.
One of their wins was a 35-13 win over Freyberg in the first round when Freyberg were down on troops.
Kia Toa are sixth and 11 points behind Te Kawau but would need a late surge to get near the top four.
Today’s draw, 2.45pm
COB v Feilding, Arena; Kia Toa v Freyberg, Bill Brown Park; Varsity v Fob-o¯roua, Massey University; Ob-marist v Te Kawau, Arena.
Standings
Feilding 55, COB 49, Varsity 38, Te Kawau 30, Ob-marist 21, Kia Toa 19, Fob-o¯roua 15, Freyberg 0.
‘‘We know how to step up for big moments.’’