• Fourth spot in Maddison Trophy club rugby comp wide open

Fourth spot in Maddison Trophy club rugby comp wide open

Most ardent supporters of Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to predicting the top four in the Maddison Trophy competition which starts today.

I have yet to come across a fan who doesn't have defending champions Hastings Rugby and Sports, Nash Cup holders Taradale Rugby and Sports and Napier Old Boys Marist in their top three. The rosters these teams boast and recent form backs that belief.

Most fans I have spoken to agree the fourth spot is wide open. Any one of the other five teams could secure it providing their injury counts say low and they win the games against those other teams in the predicted bottom five as well as pick up a bonus point or two against the "big three" teams.

Take the Nui Bartlett-coached Tamatea Rugby and Sports for example. Team spokesman Stewart Whyte pointed out that with the side qualifying for the top eight they have to give the fourth spot a crack.

"We're in rebuilding mode and there is a lot of excitement within the squad. We did well to win three of our five Nash Cup games and were competitive in the losses against Taradale and Tech," Whyte said.

He agreed one or two bonus points from today's match against Napier Old Boys Marist at Tremain Field would be handy. However, he said with four key players likely to miss the match with injuries the game will provide a stern test for the side's depth.

Midfielders Jordan Harmer (pictured above, photos Chris Kiely) and Dennon Robinson are joined on the injured list by talented inside back Shamara Brooks and experienced loosie Ivan Bellamy. Whyte said the team is rapt to have hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes and first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie available after playing in the Magpies Wider Training Group squad's 36-22 win against their Waikato counterparts in Taupo on Wednesday night.

"They bring plenty of direction and depth."

First season Clive Rugby and Sports coach Sam Giddens knows his team must beat Napier Technical at Whitmore Park if they are going to end up with a semifinal berth at the business end of the comp.

"We know we're taking on a good young team and we're looking forward to it," said the former Texans midfielder.

"We haven't had the same starting team in consecutive games yet. But we're slowly building and hopefully we click this week," Giddens said.

 

While his team will miss Chiefs winger Jonah Lowe and Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere Magpies winger Lolagi Visinia is likely to be lethal at centre outside second five-eighth Nick Biss in a backline which will again be served by halfback Trent Hape (pictured above).

Jayden Falcon will play at first five-eighth and fellow pivot Tianua Poto, who played on Wednesday night, will start at fullback. Giddens said Poto will provide plenty of chat and direction from the back.

Jayden Stok will start at fullback for the Texans after transferring from the Taradale club a fortnight ago. There is so much depth at the Taradale club Stok could only play at colts level despite being the star of the Napier Boys' High School 1st XV's victory against Hastings Boys' High School last year and a New Zealand Barbarians Secondary Schools rep.

Other first round games today will see Hastings Rugby and Sports host Central Rugby and Sports at Elwood Park and MAC host Taradale Rugby and Sports at Flaxmere Park.