AA Heartlands Meads Cup final preview: North Otago v Wanganui
Wanganui has often found wins elusive at Oamaru but the River City men will be buoyed by a strong performance in the AA Heartlands semi-final and must rate their Meads Cup chances again this week.
VENUE & TIME: Whitestone Contracting Stadium, Oamaru, Saturday October 20, 16.05 NZT.
LAST TIME: September 15, 2007 (Wanganui) – Wanganui 16-39 North Otago.
WALKING WOUNDED: North Otago lost reserve halfback Jason Forrest with a strained medial ligament suffered in the last minute of the semi-final but otherwise Mike Mullins named the same side as a week ago. Wanganui has made one enforced change, with Steelie Koro's knee ligament injury ruling him out of the match and blockbusting runner Pehira Huwyler has been promoted from the reserves. A few forwards had mid-week niggles but all have come up to scratch for the final.
FORM: North Otago spluttered into the semi-final rather than charged in, but that was forgotten in the first half at Oamaru last week when the Turbines quickly took control. Aggressive play from the forwards, particularly on defence, created turnovers and three chances were neatly finished off. Glenn Dickson, who had missed the previous clash between the sides, iced the cake with 15 points off the boot as the Turbines claimed a good win. Wanganui had to do it tough at Ashburton, battling into a strong wind in the first spell but thanks to some good set pieces, some strong mauling and a few lively thrusts by the backs, turned with the game still close. It took a while before Wanganui cracked the home defence, but two quick tries was enough to seal a well-merited victory and book a place in the final.
WHO'S HOT: North Otago got outstanding service from its experienced loose trio of Regan Laughton, Ross Hay and Joe Mamea, with Laughton the pick of the bunch. The tight five set a steady platform through the match, allowing the backs to work with good ball. Kilifi Fangupo looked good at halfback, clearing well and frequently testing the fringe defence, while Jeremy Te Huia and Glenn Dickson were strong in the five-eighths. Veteran centre Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa was dangerous on attack and sure on defence, while Stephen Sasagi finished two chances in good style. Wanganui could thank its pack for a huge effort, with prop Mike Thompson leading the way in the close-quarter stuff and, with Sheldon O'Hagan and Shane Ratima, forming a rock-solid front row. John Smyth dominated the lineout and experienced flankers David Gower and Peter Rowe had good games. Denning Tyrell showed the value of his experience and Leon Mason made several dangerous breaks, but the windy conditions told against free-flowing back play. Daniel Hooper was sound at the back and kicked his goals.
WE THINK: Both teams were impressive in their semi-finals, which makes this a hard match to call. We think that Wanganui certainly has the potential to win, especially if some of the finishing is more clinical, but North Otago may just have sufficient fire-power in the backs to take the match although there won't be much in it.
TEAMS:
North Otago: 1 – Palennia Mafi, 2 – Tobias Sekona, 3 – Toetu'u Hausia, 4 – Aisake Fonua, 5 – Taua Taha'afe, 6 – Joe Mamea (captain), 7 – Ross Hay, 8 – Regan Laughton, 9 – Kilifi Fangupo, 10 – Jeremy Te Huia, 11 – Ekeroma Sefo, 12 – Glenn Dickson, 13 – Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa, 14 – Stephen Sasagi, 15 – Grant Johnston.
Reserves: 16 – Lotu Tonga, 17 – Cameron Schultz, 18 – Luke Eketone, 19 – Viliame Leo, 20 – Nick Webster, 21 – Mike Mavor, 22 – Lemi Masoe.
Wanganui: 1 – Mike Thompson, 2 – Shane Ratima, 3 – Sheldon O'Hagan, 4 – John Smyth, 5 – Dean Barr, 6 – David Gower, 7 – Peter Rowe, 8 – Ron Katonivere, 9 – Denning Tyrell (captain), 10 – Leon Mason, 11 – Brendan Bartley, 12 – Pehira Huwyler, 13 – Logan Vaughan, 14 – Juan Visser, 15 – Daniel Hooper.
Reserves: 16 – Cole Baldwin, 17 – Justin Lock, 18 – Matt Gilbert, 19 – Fraser Hammond, 20 – Ricky Alabaster, 21 – Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 22 – Sione Pangata'a.
REFEREE: Garratt Williamson
