Venue shift a mistake say Mid Canterbury

Playing their Heartland rugby championship home final in Christchurch is a blunder which should not have happened, Mid Canterbury's coach says.
 
Christchurch's Rugby Park will host Saturday's Meads Cup final against Wanganui because Mid Canterbury's usual home ground, the Ashburton Showgrounds, is booked out for the town's annual A&P show.

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Coach Trevor Bokser was frustrated Mid Canterbury's first home final in a number of years would not be at "home", but his players were up for anything.

"You would have to say it's an MCRU (Mid Canterbury Rugby Union) blunder," Bokser said.

"How confident were they of us making the final? That should have been looked at in February and an alternative venue organised."

Despite the off-field drama, Mid Canterbury were ready to put their bodies on the line in what Bokser said would be a "hard fought slog".

"We're feeling good and know what it's about. We've been there before and we know what the disappointment of losing is like,"

Having beaten Wanganui 23-14 at the Ashburton Showgrounds just three weeks ago in a feisty battle featuring three yellow cards and numerous scuffles, Mid Canterbury know they can make amends for their 27-12 final loss in Wanganui last year.

"We know that we are not heading into the impossible. We've done it once and it's only a couple of weeks down the track," Bokser said.
"We've just got to go out there and play our own game."

All season Mid Canterbury have been backing their defence and from that, their attack has flowed.

Winger Hayden Dwyer is their top tryscorer with five while Kieran Lindsay the competition's top points scorer, with 105.

Mid Canterbury have the bulk of their team back from last year's final and are determined to make amends.

Meanwhile to prevent a repeat of this year's grounds disaster, Bokser questioned whether a rugby and cricket ground should be included in the plans for Ashburton's new indoor stadium. It would be a ground which was theirs.

Methven was investigated as a potential alternative for this season's final, but a prior booking ruled it out and Christchurch proved to be the best option.

Buses are being arranged by the MCRU to get Mid Canterbury supporters to the game but Bokser doubted they would get the same support as they would in Ashburton although he was hopeful fans would travel.

Mid Canterbury will travel to Rugby Park for its final training tonight to get a feel for the ground.

Imported second five-eighth Jack Umaga is expected to play after recovering from a foot injury in the semi.

If he was ruled out, another import was waiting in the wings in former Tasman player Robbie Flynn.

The only likely change from the team who beat South Canterbury last week is Pete McAndrew coming into the starting 15 to replace lock Joel Hewson, who will move to the reserve bench.

The final will kick off at 4.05pm.