Marist takes on unbeaten Eastern Northern Barbarians
IN Southland club rugby tomorrow, a redhot Marist team will host the unbeaten Eastern Northern Barbarians at Miller St, in Invercargill.
Marist produced the highlight of last weekend’s premier competition with a lastminute 3130 win over defending champions Woodlands.
Marist’s fifth win in a row had plenty of skilful moments but the scrum was perhaps the most impressive element.
Props Shaun Stoddart, Quinn HarrisonJones and Reubin Northover have been rocksolid for Marist over the past month, while hooker James Moodie is also one of the best in the competition each week.
First five Scott Eade has masterfully steered his team to success, supported by blockbusting midfielders Tevita Latu and Keanu Kahukura.
Unfortunately for Marist, Latu picked up a pectoral injury at Woodlands and his availability is in doubt for the remainder of the club season.
Marist also had two tight forwards sent from the field with different colour cards last week.
The red card for a head butt from lock Aleki Saili will have him watching from the sideline tomorrow.
Young winger Joe Koroaida has proved a tryscoring machine in the short time since he arrived at the club from Fiji. Tomorrow, he will come up against some of the Barbarians’ Fijian flair in their backline in Joseva Mara and Jone Daunivucu.
Woodlands have lost three straight games but are expected to get back to winning ways against Midlands on club day in Winton.
One of Woodlands’ teenaged players has been impressing coach Richard Jones through the first half of the season.
Openside flanker Josh Evans has started most games this year and is having a solid debut season.
“Josh has plenty of ticker and his work ethic and his fitness are right up there,’’ Jones said.
Blues will play Pirates Old Boys at Balmoral Dr.
Old Boys had the bye last week, while Blues got tidied up 5814 by Star.
Blues are expected to have halfback Jay Renton back playing after missing last week through illness.
Just when Star was starting to get a full complement of players available for selection, it has drawn the bye this week.
The premier club competition will be sidelined on the King’s Birthday Weekend, making way for three Southland Town v Southland Country games to be played on the first Monday in June. The senior men, women and colts games will be played at Rugby Park.
SOUTHERN 47 DUNEDIN 19
Mackenzie Haugh (Southern) ........... Paul Tupai (Southern) ...................... Joe Cooke (Dunedin) ........................
TAIERI 53 AU0
3 2 1
Brodie Hume (Taieri) ........................ 3 Matt Whaanga (Taieri) ..................... 2 Chicayne Pryor (Taieri) .................... 1
KAIKORAI 62 ZINGARIRICHMOND 8
Mefi Tupou (Kaikorai) ....................... 3 Nic Proffit (Kaikorai) ......................... 2 Lucas Casey (Kaikorai) ..................... 1
GREEN ISLAND 30 UNIVERSITY 22
Atunaisa Katoa (Green Island) ......... 3 Ben Lopas (Green Island) ................. 2 Will Stodart (University) .................. 1