Rugby: N. Otago out to finish on a high

Mike Mullins.
Mike Mullins.
It's not how you start - it's how you finish.

That is the key theme for both North Otago and Wanganui before the Lochore Cup final at Whitestone Contracting Stadium tomorrow.

North Otago lost three of its first four games but won four of its next five to make the final, while Wanganui lost three of its first four games but won three of its last five, including a confidence-boosting 36-7 win over top qualifier King Country in the semifinals a week ago.

The Old Golds go into the final with the knowledge their record against Wanganui in finals rugby at home is a solid one.

The two sides have met twice in finals, both for the Meads Cup, and both in Oamaru.

In 2007, North Otago claimed the top trophy with a 25-8 win, and three years later reclaimed it with a 39-18 victory.

But that was then, this is now. Often, finals are won through experience and patience and, in flanker Peter Rowe, Wanganui has such a player.

The Wanganui captain will be playing his 99th game for his union and this year has been selected for the Heartland XV for the seventh time.

North Otago has had a far from smooth build-up this week, according to coach Mike Mullins.

Experienced back Lemi Masoe is out with a recurrence of a groin injury, so Joe Marston comes on to the right wing and Siosiua Ngalo comes into the reserves.

There has also been some illness in the squad, with prop Rob Mafileo and halfback Cameron Keenan the hardest hit.

Mullins is hopeful his side can produce its best in front of a home crowd tomorrow.

''Obviously Wanganui beat us quite comfortably when we met them earlier in the season and they've come off a good win over King Country last week.

''I guess we'll have the home-ground advantage and, hopefully, that will be something for us.

''But it's a one-off game. It probably doesn't matter a great deal whether you're playing at home or away. It's a final, and if points are on the offer we'll be taking them.

''Again, once we've done all the training and told the players what we want, often it doesn't matter once they step over the chalk. Sometimes all those plans can go out the window.''

The Wanganui team is quite different from when the two teams met in September.

In the forwards, Kamipeli Latu is at loosehead and Shaun McDonough on the bench, while Viki Tofa will be at tighthead.

Lasa Ulukuta shifts to No 8 to take the place of Bryn Hudson, who impressed against North Otago in Wanganui, and Sam Madams joins regular lock Sonny Woodmass.

In the backs, Areta Lama is at first five-eighth and Samu Kubunavanua comes on to the left wing, with Ace Malo moving to fullback.

Tevita Taufu'i is at centre and Simon Dibbens on the right wing.

- Terry O'Neill

 


Lochore Cup, Oamaru, tomorrow, 2.35pm

North Otago: Simeli Koniferedi, Joe Marston, Tenina Sauileoge, Ekeroma Sauileoge, Matthew Vocea, Ben Palmer, Robbie Smith, Samisoni Tongotongo, Manulua Taiti, Josh Clark (captain), Jared Whitburn, Sale Pi'i, Rob Mafileo, Kilioni Taufa, Ralph Darling. Reserves: Hayden Tisdall, Palenapa Mafi, Matt Mullins, Matt Duff, Cameron Keenan, Stephen Fenemor, Siosuia Ngalo.

Wanganui: Ace Malo, Simon Dibben, Tevita Taufui, Rhema Sagote, Samu Kubunavanua, Areta Lama, Lindsay Horrocks, Lasa Ulukuta, Peter Rowe (captain), Andrew Evans, Sonny Woodmass, Sam Madams, Viki Tofa, Cole Baldwin, Kamipeli Latu. Reserves: Shaun McDonough, Roman Tutauha, Tremaine Gilbert, Bryn Hudson, William Short, Jaye Flaws, Clive Stowers.

 


Road to the final

 

North Otago

Record: Lost to Buller (17-9), beat Poverty Bay (41-34), lost to Wanganui (20-15), lost to King Country (17-14), beat Thames Valley (19-15), beat South Canterbury (22-19), lost to Mid Canterbury (28-7), beat East Coast (45-5). Semifinal: Beat South Canterbury (16-12).

Leading scorer: Ben Palmer, 48 points.

Leading try-scorers: Ralph Darling 4, Sale Pi'i 3.

 

Wanganui

Record: Lost to South Canterbury (31-18), lost to Horowhenua-Kapiti (34-23), beat North Otago (20-15), lost to Mid Canterbury (30-14), beat East Coast (44-0), lost to West Coast (23-17), beat Wairarapa-Bush (38-24), lost to King Country (30-29). Semifinal: Beat King Country (36-7).

Leading scorer: Josh Hamilton, 45 points.

Leading try-scorers: Rhema Sagote 6, Samu Kubunavanua 4.


 

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