Rugby: Still hard work ahead for Kaikorai

Andy Hunter.
Andy Hunter.
Kaikorai's 46-12 win against Harbour last weekend was a wake up call for anyone who might have been entertaining thoughts the team was not quite playoff material.

Kaikorai consolidated its place in the top four and firmed as one of the form teams in the competition.

There is still three rounds remaining and Kaikorai has a tough finish to the campaign.

Its forward pack is perhaps a little underpowered, compared with some of the bigger teams, but Kaikorai has not been hampered by a lot of injuries, and with the addition of classy loose forward Paul Grant, it has emerged as a serious threat.

Coach Andy Hunter was thrilled with how his side was progressing.

"We had a couple of games earlier where we weren't quite at our best but, as a coach, I wanted to see continued improvement and they have definitely done that,'' he said.

Grant, who played 56 games for Otago and was captain when the province lifted the Ranfurly for the first time in 57 years, has made a big impact.

"What he has brought is someone who has a very strong knowledge of his own game and his role in the team.

"On and off the field he is just setting a good example, and he certainly has the physical capabilities to add to our game.''

With another former Otago player in Lee Allan on the blindside, and the promising Slade McDowell making a good fist of his first year in the premier grade, Kaikorai has an impressive loose forward trio.

McDowell is one year out of school and Hunter rates him highly.

"The harder it is on the field, the more he excels,'' Hunter said, adding once he grows into his frame a bit more he could be a player to watch in future.

Former Taieri fullback Ben Miller has also made a difference since transferring mid-season. He actually spent the preseason training with Kaikorai and was unclear where his future lay.

He stuck with Taieri initially but soon shifted.

"He is learning the ropes at 10 still, there is no hiding that. But he has certainly fitted very well into our group.''

Fullback Tony Ensor and midfielder Jayden Spence are the go-to men out in the backline and have been in "outstanding'' form.

Kaikorai's big win against Harbour might have signalled its ability but Hunter said the celebration was a little flat afterwards.

"We were reasonably subdued after that game because we were not 100% satisfied with the game.''

Kaikorai was not able to add to its score in the final 20 minutes and is well aware it has some big games coming up if it is to convert a promising campaign into a spot in the playoffs.

It hosts Zingari-Richmond today and should be too strong. But with Taieri and University still to play, Kaikorai cannot afford to get complacent.

"It would not appear to be as comfortable as some of the other top four teams,'' Hunter said of the remaining games.

"In terms of the way the draw works, we've missed out on playing a couple of low-ranked teams, while playing all the high-ranked teams. That has been a challenge for us.''

That said, the camp is confident and playing good rugby.

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